I don’t often read a book knowing how it’s going to end. Because this is an account of a case that attracted much in the way of media attention, I waited a long while before I bought it. I still always knew what the outcome was going to be, but I wanted to dull the memory a little so that when I did read the book, it was also a refresher.
Aboriginal deaths in custody has been an issue for as long as I can remember. So much so, that I suspect when it occurs these days it’s often not even picked up by the broadsheets. But the death of Cameron Doomadgee was one that could not be avoided simply because of the basic facts. A fit and healthy Aboriginal male in his 30’s is arrested and within 40 minutes of his arrest he is found dead on the floor of his cell. Fit and healthy yet dead 40 minutes later.
Hooper won a Walkley for her reportage of this case and went on to write a further detailed account in The Tall Man. She meets with the Doomadgee family, attends the protracted legal sittings and using her own opinions puts together a great story. It’s a little Helen Garner-esque and I’m clearly not the first person to think of this, as my copy features a cover line attributed to Garner. Think Joe Cinque’s Consolation.
This book really got me thinking and I recommend it.
