I found it completely gripping, but not really any contribution to any debate (which is fine btw). Maybe because the only way I could deal with the bleakness and sordidness of the situation was to see it as a fantasy - the kind of nightmare fantasy I might have had as a first-time pregnant mum - 'i'm going to be totally inadequate and useless as a mother, my relationship will be ruined, my child will be entirely evil and I won't understand it' etc etc. What makes it so disturbing is that I didn't find any situation in it unbelievable - it's just not believable that any individual would have all those situations.
More like a Gothic horror novel than a contemporary debate thing.
For horrible reality but true humanity and a real debate, try A Fine Balanace by Rohinton Mistry.