By Tom Keneally. Published by Vintage Books. Reviewed by Bridget Taumoepeau 

Tom Keneally’s latest novel addresses the still relevant and disturbing issue of sexual abuse within the Church. I approached it with some scepticism, as many novels have been written around this subject, but it revealed itself as a gripping story, difficult to put down. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the writing is the author’s ability to demonstrate how the destructive tentacles of this terrible crime reach wide and far, not just for victims, abusers and the families of both, but also for institutions and society as a whole.

While I found some of the scenarios and characterisations of people a little unconvincing, the unfolding of the story and the complexity of the issue certainly held my attention. He addresses the personal stories, outlining sympathetically how children and young people get drawn into abuse by trusted adults, with resultant detrimental long term effects. He describes the various difficulties that victims have in coming forward, as well as the horror of others when the abuse is discovered. The disbelief and denial of the possibility that a respected person may be an abuser provokes doubt in the reader’s mind as to how we judge or understand people. The ending of the book left me with a sense of sadness, but may evoke different emotions in others, which is a sign of a good storyteller.

There are considerable references to the Catholic Church and historical matters that may be a little difficult for someone unfamiliar with the Catholic Church, but I would recommend this book to all who want to understand sexual abuse, particularly in the context of institutional power. It will help us never to forget the potential for this abuse and our responsibility to work to prevent it, while having compassion for all those affected.

Tui Motu Magazine. Issue 219 September 2017: 19.