Oh hell no! This book should not be given to anyone under 16, for a start it's really distressing, so don't you dare, Wez!
Re the price, I agree it is a little pricey, but the reason being, it's print on demand so if you want one, the publisher prints one especially just for you and there aren't masses of trade paperbacks lying about everywhere!
Likewise, if a shop makes an order, they are done at the time of order etc etc.
If it's any comfort, by the time you've taken off production costs, publisher's cut and 40% trade discount, I only get about $2.80 profit per book sold, so I'm not going to get rich unless everybody in the world buys one like JK Rowling
Be warned though, it is quite horrible in some parts and you'll either hate X, hate me or hate all of us - so I am preparing to lose all my friends in the name of commericial entertainment
