Wilful Negligence

MANY of us reading this will have had childhoods predominantly free from trauma, fear and stress of the highest magnitude. Some won't.

For the former, the new memoir Wilful Negligence by Thadeus Hunt narrates the experiences of a disparate youth who suffers from a lack of a guidance and exposure to a multitude of temptations, many of which are the worst kind. At the same time, he's easily influenced by his peer group whose destructive habits lead him suffer the repercussions, one of which is juvenile detention.

Buffeted from all sides by these pressures, we watch as his youth is derailed. Right from the opening line we are thrown into the action and quickly see the results from this particular 'purposeful act of disregard for consequence'.

For the latter, they may draw comfort from someone who has been through it all and come out the other end. They will experience understanding and empathy from a once-defiant boy who faced similar situations and made the wrong choices.

The author poses questions throughout, leading us to think more deeply about the choices he made, the outcomes and the 'what ifs?' In this respect, the book is a useful tool for youth counsellors and has applications for other related fields, such as with Family Services, Drug Rehabilitation and the Juvenile Justice Department.

Carrying shades of Brendan Behan's 'Borstal Boy' and Andrew McGahan's 'Praise', Wilful Negligence is a short but poignant memoir that lays bare the heartache and soul-searching the author undertook, and the decisions that finally led him on the right path to health and happiness. Now working with disadvantaged youth, he hopes to inspire others who find themselves in a similar situation to reach out and seek help.

ISBN 978-0-9803365-5-9
Published by Catbird Media

1 copy: $22.50 (Plus P&H)

Larger orders are available, please email admin@catbirdmedia.com.au