Sadder, But Wiser

Macsyna King, "Breaking Silence"

OK, so it's time to fess up.  We have read the book.  Yes, the book.  The banned book--banned by the Star Chamber of New Zealand public opinion. The one some are calling the most appalling book ever to be written (even though it has yet to be released).  You know, the one a Facebook instant crowd of 40,000 New Zealanders tried to ban when news of its imminent publication surfaced.  We are referring, of course, to Ian Wishart's Breaking Silence: the Kahui Case, subtitled Macsyna King and the Real Story of the Murder of Her Twins. 

A notorious woman, Macsyna King has been arraigned, tried, and condemned in the hallowed court of public opinion.
  Were New Zealand still practising public executions that same court would no doubt have exercised its right to a summary vigilante execution as well.  We believe Wishart has done an invaluable service to the country with this latest piece of investigative journalism.  We are very glad we read it.  We would hope that most those folk who "voted" on Facebook to ban the book would get to read it as well--although we know we are whistling in the wind at this point. 

For our overseas readers, in 2006 Chris and Cru Kahui (at the time five week prem twins) died whilst in the care of their parents.  Eventually their father, Chris Kahui was arrested and tried for their murders.  The defence team, aided by a complicit media, painted the mother of the twins, Macsyna King as the real killer.  The jury took something like one minute of deliberation to declare the father, Chris Kahui not guilty.  This quick verdict led to an  overwhelming conviction in the mind of the public that, indeed, Macsyna King was the guilty party.  The police have never charged her--but what do they know.  In the meantime, King has become without doubt the most hated woman in New Zealand--literally. 

Into this maelstrom Wishart has come with his notorious (yet still unreleased) book.  One is reminded of the epigram about angels and fools. 

Since we have agreed not to comment upon the contents in any detail until the book's formal release, we will confine ourselves to some general observations.  Firstly, we are very glad to have read it and thankful that Wishart (and King) have written it.  Wishart has done the entire body politic a great deal of good.  We would, accordingly, encourage everyone to read it. 

Secondly, the book is not an apologia for Macsyna King, although a great deal of the text is King's account of herself and her life.  It is a warts and all portrayal--and there are plenty of them.  King is neither defensive nor offensive--and all the more credible for that. 

Thirdly, there is a great deal of new information about the twins and the trial and the new information which came to light at the recent coroner's inquest.  There are also some disturbing and provocative matters about child abuse and how it is "handled" by public authorities in New Zealand.  Certain public health policies with respect to infant care are placed under scrutiny and found wanting. These are matters eminently worthy of debate and analysis.  As is so often the case, real life turns out to be stranger than fiction, and much, much more complex.  There is far more involved in the King-Kahui case than initially meets the simplistic eye. 

In the fourth place, having read the book, what do we really think of Macsyna King?  An acid test is, Would we be willing to have her in our home? Leave our children with her?  Extend warm hospitality to her?  We have answered those questions for ourselves--you will have to do the same.

Finally, as expected, there is a picture of life in the underclass in New Zealand which makes for very grim reading.  The "system" has failed--as it always will when it attempts to play God and do things for which it will always be incompetent.  In fact, the system has made things ten times worse.  Just how bad it is in the underclass is clearly portrayed in this volume.  But, and this is one of the most positive aspects to Wishart's book, one is compelled both to sadness and compassion.  Repeatedly, as you read, the cry wells up from the heart, "Lord, help us.  As a people we are so, so lost." 

The Commentariat has tut tutted and expressed its faux outrage against Wishart daring to publish Breaking Silence.  We recall the following from one member of the effete liberal set:

Of course the book should not be banned.  Banning books is a horribly, slippery slope.  We, as consumers have the freedom to buy the book or reject the book.  That means we can boycott the book, and any other books by this publisher – Howling at the Moon.  Wishart could have redeemed himself.  If he had published this book with the intention to bring justice in this matter or to hand over the guilty killer.  Sadly, Ian Wishart has positioned himself as sensationalist, and undermined any previous reputation he had for investigative reporting.

Hah--and that august, weighty, grave verdict was delivered without reading the book.  As the proverb has it--there are none so blind . . . .

Actually, the rumours of Wishart's death as an investigative journalist turn out to be greatly exaggerated.  Breaking Silence will likely enhance his reputation considerably.  As we said at the outset--we are very, very glad to have read the book.  True, we are sadder--but hopefully more wise as a result.  And that has to be a good thing, non?