"A working-class boy learns about love, lust and life the hard way in the industrial north of the 1950's". That is what is written on the back of the book (or at least, my copy of it). This is an absolutely perfect description of what this book is; it's about love, it's about a struggle, it's about trying your best for those you care about, and even for those you don't, in a world that is hard and harsh. The accents of the characters may be unusual, the references and contexts might be foreign to many people, but the core messages of the book, the true emotions and feelings that it elicits, can be felt and understood by anyone.
The book isn't particularly fast-paced or has a unique story, but that is the beauty of it; it talks about real struggles, real pains and situations that many people will experience. If you want to read a book about mistakes and their consequences, read A kind of loving.