A review by steveinadelaide
Crimes of the Father by Thomas Keneally

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.