Reading stories like this is difficult. Here is a man systematically discriminated against by powerful forces in his country. He fights back within the boundaries of law and decency, only to prolong his agony and eventually lose everything. Beaten within an inch of his life for living in his house.

I was moved.

When people in our culture tell me to care more about those who are unjustly treated, I tend to tune them out. There's something utterly unconvincing about middle class people like me righteously telling others to "raise awareness" about injustice. Not that injustice is ok, but people who haven't experienced it aren't all that believable.

This book was completely different.

Looking injustice and evil in the face is hard, but a helpful corrective to my privileged life.