This book is probably Kipling's most problematic - though Stalky & Co. comes close. It's also Kipling's most eloquent work, and the perfect example of how a sexist, racist, imperialist can show love for those they consider utterly beneath them.

I try to re-read it every couple of years for the words - and the reminder that sweet censored pants, humans are utterly terrifying in their capacity to demean and diminish those they have the slightest iota of power over.