I read this in Honors English my sophomore year of high school and it changed my life. First, the people are so real that I still feel like I knew them personally. Second, the depiction of a life and time (living in hard conditions, working the mines in South Wales, all with repercussions that could easily be fatal) that was so different from my own really helped me appreciate and empathize with others ever since. Third, I hated reading books that were required, simply because they were required. This book forced me to acknowledge that my teachers might actually have something to teach me. The impact must have been significant, because I've made a life of teaching to this day, as a college professor. It's extremely well written and gripping. Highly recommended!