Genet wrote this book while in prison. Unfortunately, a guard found the first draft and burned it. So he wrote it again. It was subsequently published (after he got out of prison) in a very limited, more sexually explicit run. He later edited it into the form that we have here, and what a treasure it is. 

I think you should read this book. If you’re not into fiction, much less literary fiction, this makes a good case for it and gives you the tools to enjoy and appreciate reading more of it. And if you are into that stuff (like me), there’s still so much here.