This book struck me as hillarious at first. It reads like a novel but it is clearly based in historical fact. The fact that it also reads like a low language proficient diary makes in intriguing to watch the character's language and literacy skills expand over his lifetime. What a challenge to read! And yet, who couldn't love a book that uses the word "adjectival" every other word. Seriously, I think it would have only been a novella if we hadn't had that one word. Three words describe this: entertaining, educational and patriotic (if you happen to be Australian-- which I'm not.)