The Killer's Tears

The Killers Tears is journey toward redemption. Seeking closure but finding and accepting that human beings are flawed. Anne-Laure Bondoux created an isolated world where flawed adults see themselves reflected in the pure soul of a child named Paolo. The story begins with a ruthless wanderer, Angel, finding and murdering Paolo's parents on the isolated and rocky southern tip of Chile. Over time, Paolo adapts and the killer comes to depend on this, his first truly human relationship. In return, Angel shows Paolo love and genuine kindness that was missing from his stoic parents. Eventually, however, the pair must travel to the city for supplies. And it is here that Angel's past catches up with him. While running again, Angel considers whether or not he deserves freedom or love, given all of the evil things he has done in his life. And this is the central question, asked and answered several times as Angel and Paolo evade the authorities. There is a passage at an old lumberjack's (Ricardo Murga) house where the story moves into the mystical when Paolo meets the man's murdered children. In these passages Bondoux's prose soars - never needing to explain too much, trusting the intelligence of the reader. Ricardo, "I like metamorphosis. He sighed and swirled the wine in his glass. Wood that becomes books. Winter that becomes spring. Grapes that become wine." He turned to Paolo. "And the child who becomes a man." "Some changes are very subtle," the lumberjack went on. "Those which happen in our soul, for example, are not always noticeable." My only complaint is near the end, where Bondoux loses faith in the reader and settles for heavy-handed anti-death penalty ranting that is unnecessary given the perfect way the rest of the story unfolds. The Killers Tears gets my highest recommendation and while it is marketed for young adults, it is a powerful story for all ages.

Can a killer love? Is Angel's murder strike just what Paolo needs to gain his strength? When Angel snatches the lives of Paolo's parents, Angel takes Paolo into his world. When an intelligent traveler discovers their house on the very edge of Chile, he teaches Angel how to love. The first trip Paolo ever takes turns out to be a suicidal nightmare. What kind of trip does this turn out to be? THE KILLER'S TEARS tells a wonderful story of the love between a young child and a murderer. It has a wonderful word choice and is very well put together. A great read!!! Reviewed by: Holly

How often does this scenario occur - a man comes and murders your parents, spares you, and then decides to become your father? This story is odd. The murderer and child grow to love one another. The murderer is consumed with guilt and love at the same time. Eventually he must pay for the sins of his past. I feel better at least that the boy in the story seems to grow up into a well-adjusted man, and learns to love a good woman. In some strange way, the love of the killer made the boy's life better, and his life as a man reflects that.