import pickle


def load_raw_data(file_name):
    """Load a previously pickled file into a variable and return it.

    Args:
        file_name (str): The absolute path to the requested file.

    Returns:
        object: The contents of the file.

    Raises:
        IOError
        pickle.PickleError
    """
    _file = None
    saved_data = None
    try:
        _file = open(file_name, 'rb')
        saved_data = pickle.load(_file)
        _file.close()
    except (IOError, pickle.PickleError):
        if _file is not None:
            _file.close()
        raise
    return saved_data