Phew! This was a difficult read. Not difficult in language or concept, but difficult because so much of it actually happened (although much of the book is speculative fiction, the treatment of slaves is a fact); is a part of history, and that is terrifying. Man's inhumanity to man. It would have received 5 stars had I not had to force myself to return to the horror again and again. An important book no doubt and worthy award winner.