Review: A lot of work, effort, and hyperbole for such a subdued result.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 06 29, 2012
The story of Karla Homolka and Paul Bernardo is a fascinating one. It puts to rest the stereotype of women as incapable of being sadistic killers or deviant to the extent it would take to aid and abet a rapist. It brings up what constitutes justice -- Homolka got a reduced sentence for testifying against Bernardo before the videos were brought to light showing the extent of her involvement.That is not what this Single is about, although the events of the case are summarized. This story is about a journalist tracking down Homolka, and what she discovered. The results are interesting enough, and bring to mind if the public has the right to pursue someone who has paid her debt -- albeit a reduced debt -- to society.Another aspect of the original case is how two personalities can exacerbate the worst in each other. Bernardo was a rapist before Homolka, and with her help he became a murderer. Whatever flaws Homolka had or has, and it's undeniable that they're there and deep, it's questionable if without Bernardo she would have strayed too far from a normal life.Homolka is now living a reasonable facsimile of that normal life, although she cannot shake her infamy. She now has children, and seems to be a good mother, but some day they will know her crimes. For her, there is no escaping the continuing toll of her actions.The author went to great difficulties to find Karla Homolka, it's true, but I'm not sure what to say about the end result. The writing seemed cliched at times. At one point, she even mentioned trying to avoid a cliche, which struck me considering my own minor irritation with her style. I suppose it all seemed like a lot of work, effort, and hyperbole for such a subdued result.