I thought that this first impression was hauntingly beautiful. The descriptions of Friedrich's life so far are compelling - how his relationship with his mother changes after his 'accident', his relationship with his father, his friendship with the cook's son, and how he relates to the cook herself. Given the time period that the book is set in, this is no doubt going to be an emotional read, but it feels like it is a book worth reading. I like the cover - it is bleak, and intimate at the same time.