Little Ice Cream Boy

Harrowing, brutal and unforgiving, 'Little Ice Cream Boy' may read like a piece of pulp fiction, but based on true events, Jacques Pauw's novel is a tough, yet ultimately satisfying read.

Set against the backdrop of apartheid, 'Little Ice Cream Boy' tells the tale of Gideon Goosen — based on apartheid assassin Ferdi Barnard, currently in prison for the murder of academic David Webster— told by the man himself from within the confines of a solitary prison cell.

From his seemingly normal childhood to his days with the Pretoria police, and ultimately his descent into a life of booze, drugs, prostitution and murder, Goosen's story is dominated by violence.

Pauw, who testified against Barnard at his trial, pulls no punches in his first work of fiction, and it makes for a tough, but ultimately satisfying read. We seldom need reminding of the horrors committed during apartheid, but 'Little Ice Cream Boy' does not dwell on the politics of the time. Instead it focuses on Goosen, who seems to stumble from one reckless act to another.

Goosen is a hard bastard, a product of the physical and mental abuse handed down by his father, a respected cop overly fond of booze and hookers. Considering his upbringing, it is not surprising that Gideon himself turns to violence. When he begins mixing with a bunch of Randburg hooligans, he discovers that he is 'a natural, a born head-basher, a skull-cracker, a pulveriser of bones, a slammer extraordinaire'.

Not possessing much in the way of smarts, natural athleticism or any other discernable talents, Goosen ends up in the police force where his penchant for violence is soon put to use in the interrogation room. Even the police can't contain him, however, and in the end Goosen turns to crime and all that comes with it.

Drenched in blood and violence, 'Little Ice Cream Boy', is not for everybody, but if you can stomach the subject matter it will stay with you long after the last page is turned.