Ice by Azelin Philips

[Spoiler Alert]

In chapter one we meet old man Crealy who rails Scrooge-like about the poor reminding me of my own experiences. A welfare mother of 32 already twice a grandmother, a drug-addled women who let a fridge full of food spoil because she failed to close the door. A neighbour who had 10 children in 8 years the progeny flow stopped only by “the pill” and the departure of her husband. Contrast with a bank president who makes $500,000,000 a year while his tellers make $50,000.

In chapter two we meet 14-year-old John Crealy who attempts suicide because the parish priest is sexually abusing him and leaves home at 16 because he catches his father out at sleeping with another woman while his mother fails to do anything about it. Where is this headed?

The author's past in social work shows in this work. Expect no fairy tale endings. The child is father of the man and his unresolved and untreated traumas manifest in the adult. Even living in small communities with unsophisticated staff it is difficult to credit no one questioning a string of 5 dead wives. There are a few editing errors that detract only slightly from reading enjoyment.