TITLE: The GIRL in SASKATOON
AUTHOR: Sharon Butala
DATE OF
RELEASE: May 2008
GENRE: Memoir/True Crime
RATING: 3 Stars (Good buy)
I had mixed emotions reading this book. I am not usually a huge fan of true crime, but this book is really more than just about the 1962 murder of Alexandra Wiwcharuk and who did it. As a matter of fact, while there are alot of theories out there and the police can actually retrace most of the victims actions just before her murder - there has never been a person accused and prosecuted for this crime.
The author has a personal bias here as she was personally acquainted with the victim. They were friends and had lived many things together. With the arrival of DNA tests, there is hope that the semen samples and the hair that was found (Alex fought for her life) can now be analyzed, but what makes this book more than just your standard true crime is the intense personal feelings the author feels for this particular murder.
Of course, because of the close, personal relationship between Sharon and Alex, the story gets intensely personal and you can feel the author's pain as she tries to make some sens of the situation.
It is obvious to me, that Sharon also feels some guilt - as she tries to work out through the telling of this story - why one person is targeted for murder while the other one (who although living a different life - in a different place) is exempt.
This book is very introspective and is very broody.
I enjoyed this read, but felt frustrated that the guilty person has never been found - it feels like somebody told me a story and ripped out the last page.
No comments:
Post a Comment