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leemac027's review against another edition
4.0
Thomas Kenneally is an intense story teller but this book made me very angry.
Like most people I am very aware of the Catholic church's struggle to admit they had a huge issue with paedophilia across the ranks of the priesthood. This book shows how easy it was for the church to hide and facilitate the perpetrators - this is what made me angry.
There was never any appetite for the Church to accept any wrongdoing and their focus was to evade bad press coverage and come to confidential agreements, which included payouts, to its many victims. As we know this all fell to pieces but there is still no confidence that the church has adequately dealt with these issues globally.
Keneally also shows how anyone within the church that tried to bring these crimes to light, could be silenced and that it takes a very strong person to continue to pursue justice. It also shows victim impact and how many different ways these brave people had to face (or hide) what happened to them.
A very sad book considering that these crimes are still coming to light.
Like most people I am very aware of the Catholic church's struggle to admit they had a huge issue with paedophilia across the ranks of the priesthood. This book shows how easy it was for the church to hide and facilitate the perpetrators - this is what made me angry.
There was never any appetite for the Church to accept any wrongdoing and their focus was to evade bad press coverage and come to confidential agreements, which included payouts, to its many victims. As we know this all fell to pieces but there is still no confidence that the church has adequately dealt with these issues globally.
Keneally also shows how anyone within the church that tried to bring these crimes to light, could be silenced and that it takes a very strong person to continue to pursue justice. It also shows victim impact and how many different ways these brave people had to face (or hide) what happened to them.
A very sad book considering that these crimes are still coming to light.
mamakiwi's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I hated the ending
juliacallan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
lynnenad's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This novel covers the beginnings of outrage and lawsuits against the Catholic Church in Australia.
It has excellent characters who are very believable which helped convince me of the veracity of the discussion. The author also did training to be a priest so has additional knowledge.
Fortunately the author does not permit us to develop much sympathy for the paedophiles. I would have found that hard to reconcile. I feel that I have a much better understanding of the topic now and I’m pleased there was a “happy” ending
It has excellent characters who are very believable which helped convince me of the veracity of the discussion. The author also did training to be a priest so has additional knowledge.
Fortunately the author does not permit us to develop much sympathy for the paedophiles. I would have found that hard to reconcile. I feel that I have a much better understanding of the topic now and
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia
polyhy_14's review against another edition
5.0
While we’ve all been made aware, through media reports, of child abuse within the Catholic Church, nothing has brought home the victim impact to me quite as strongly as this novel. While the characters may be fictional, the situations are sadly all too real and the author, himself a former seminarian, highlights areas that I’d previously been unaware of, eg the use of the confessional to groom potential victims and the initial attempts at cover ups, not to mention the impact on the wider community; the families of victims and perpetrators as well as decent clergy and lay people within the church. Using strong rhetoric, he puts issues such as celibacy, sexuality and birth control, to name a few, under the spotlight. This is a piece of writing, not only of great courage, but also of great sensitivity and compassion, and should be widely read.
norabarnacle's review against another edition
4.0
beautifully and thoughtfully written — a well researched fictional narrative of the impact of abuse that tells a broad and intimate, global and personal story
steveinadelaide's review against another edition
3.0
Keneally's novel deals with a very important topic -- child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. At one level, it is interesting to learn more about the way in which various aspects of the Catholic Church and the way the priesthood is structured, revered, and protected by it. The problem with the book is that it is dry and unemotional -- a surprise and a disappointment given the themes. I did hear Keneally being interviewed about this book and he said this was the way he chose to write the story. I think that was a mistake as something so devastating for so many people should, in my opinion, include the emotional dimension. Sometimes, dispassionate objectivity doesn't do justice to the the realities of the story. While the novel does provide important insights into the problem of child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church, the lack of emotional engagement means that it is ultimately a disappointment to read.
booketybookstore's review against another edition
5.0
This is an intelligent balanced story based on the Australian Catholic Church and its child abuse scandal. Frank Docherty is a wonderful priest who understands the conflicts that Catholicism presents modern families but his integrity finds him in trouble with his cardinal. Some of this may prove difficult to read but the abuse is dealt with in a matter of fact way without prurience. What truly impressed me was Keneally’s erudition and absolute mastery with words. Every one is specific and on point. Be in awe of this craft.