I was meandering through Readings in Hawthorn one leisurely Saturday afternoon when I came across a Helen Garner book on the bargain table. I’d not heard of this particular title but knowing of Garner’s reputation and given that it was a bargain at $13.95 I decided to indulge.
Again, it took me a while to get there, but this book is a seriously fantastic read. Garner manages to relay quite a disturbing occurrence with compassion and integrity.
The story centres round the death of Joe Cinque, a young, intelligent and handsome man in his mid-twenties. His partner, suffering severe mental illness secretly drugs him with Rohypnol and injects him with heroin one weekend resulting in his death. Garner follows the court proceedings with acute observation and details interviews with members of all families involved. Those with the Cinque family are particularly touching.
I’ve read books that comprise largely of courtroom sittings – almost with unbearable detail; that is why part of me hesitated in picking up this book. But what Garner offers is a completely fresh approach to a story based largely around courtroom appearances. The prose is delivered in a short, sharp style that keeps the reader longing for more. Use of repetition is effective and really drives home the severity of this crime; the waste of a young and talented life for no good reason.
This account left me feeling sad, concerned and yet very lucky. An immensely satisfying read.
