An almost-perfect novella, really. But it's got a bleakness to it that made me feel like I wanted to take off into the woods & never find civilisation again. It's a pick, if you want to ponder why it is people do the things they do to each other. Was there a time when people were intrinsically valued for just being, instead of whether they were of any use? An objectively good book but now I feel like shit (well, more than usual). Thanks, John 😢