In each of us there is a dormant power waiting to be released. For some of us, the power is evil. For others, the power is more closely attuned to charity or love. If your power were to be unleashed upon humankind today, would it be good or evil?

That is the question you have to ask yourself before reading this book. If a person stumbled upon your doorstep and offered you an immense amount of money to imprison them, without giving you a clue as to why they want to be imprisoned in your basement, could you do it? And if you could, why? If you are the type of person that can withstand the allure of money, how would you react to this proposition?

And if you did take the person up on their offer, could you remain the same person you think you are as their story unfolds through conversations and deep self-introspection?

Walter Mosley tries to answer these questions with this novel. Sometimes he succeeds; sometimes he leaves the answers vague and expects you, as the reader, to answer the questions yourself.

Overall, Mosley gets you to look and think about the world through a prism rarely glanced through. If you have the courage and stomach to attack these questions, read this book. If you don't, ask yourself: Why not?

Personal note: This was one of the best books I have read in a very long time.

VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED