An easy 5 stars for me . This is exactly what i love in a book - a sweeping sprawling profound tale following the life story of a central character, that hooked me in right from the beginning. 

The characters are so good , I loved them all - Cyril , Julian , Alice , Charles , Maude - even the hateful Mary Margaret Muffet .  

This story is bleak , heartbreaking , reflective yet manages to have humor thrown in as well . It touches upon hatred , social stigma and violence that had me gritting my teeth. 

Oh Cyril , you are a real Avery after all. The ending moved me to tears. 

The only reason i don’t think its a 6/5 book for me is because the coincidences seemed a bit too much . Cyril and Julian ! Cyril and Jack Smoot . A tad bit unbelievable.