Oscar Pistorius Trial: Author Calls Fallen Athlete ‘Complex’ And ‘Fascinating;’ Aims To Show His Humanity In New Book

Due to the live, blow-by-blow updates of the Oscar Pistorius trial via livestreaming and the social media, the world quickly created their own sordid image of the fallen Olympic runner. Some believed him to be a heartbroken, guilt-ridden athlete while others condemned him as a cold-hearted murderer.

According to John Carlin, however, he is neither a saint nor a devil. He believes that the Paralympian gold medallist is human "with flaws and redeeming qualities" according to a Mail & Garden article.

Carlin will show a more human side to Pistorius in his book, "Chase Your Shadow," which is reportedly already being eyed for a movie adaptation.

"It is something we do all the time, with famous people, with public figures, with politicians, even with political issues. We have a tendency always to try to clarify the unclarifiable, to simplify, to caricaturise," he told M&G.

"And my attempt was to paint the portrait of a complex and, I think, fascinating human being. That may generate feelings of rejection and disgust among people, but I hope above all else it generates some degree of sympathy and a sense of, 'There but for the grace of God go I.'"

Through the book, Carlin wants to help people understand who the athlete really is, not just the accused during Oscar Pistorius' trial but the child struggling with amputated legs as well as the man who vomited in the courtroom after seeing photos of that night he shot his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.

The writer even claimed Pistorius to be the symbol of "a South Africa that was complex, ambiguous and could no longer claim to play a heroic role on the world stage."

"In 2014, Pistorius offered a more faithful mirror of the country than did Mandela," he added.

Do you agree with John Clarin's view on Oscar Pistorius' trial?