Reflections in the Crowd

The novel is a reminiscence and analysis of social events and experiences of a retired social worker. It is sombre reflections of his more than twenty-five years in social work. His views transcend the realms of social work and are not limited to the United Kingdom where the novel is set. He viewed contemporary and near global issues. They touch on the affairs and behaviours of people here and beyond the shores of the country. His thoughts reiterate the question asked by the "Black Eyed Pea" singer: "What's going on in the world we're living in?"

The protagonist, in his thoughts, questions the morality and integrity of the crowded arena in this 'modern' planet of the earth. He directs his concerns to many; particularly the elitist upper echelons of the conglomeration. This includes the grabbing and remorseless bankers, financial houses of various levels, the negligent educators of children, and operatives in sports. Others are business owners and directors, functioning as Machiavellians. Many express 'the needs justify the means attitudes'. He did not spare the actions of some men in modern medicines team; the law makers and some that purport to know the law. These actions and inactions further destabilise the unstable 'Crowd' - the world. One only has to open the television, radio or often the 'near crazy social media' to confirm the configurations of his thoughts. A lot unsettle and destabilise the mind; he opines.

Francis Ike; understood the fate of the occupiers of the lowest rung of the social ladder who are callously referred to as 'the down and out'. He has spent the last twenty-five years or more working to help them. The sensibilities he tried to extol decry the actions and inactions that affect each member of the huge faceless "Crowd". He had muted remarks in disfavour of the evident acceptance of so called secularism at the expense of Spirituality and Morality or things Divine. On the other hand; he detests the use of so called Religion to destabilise the life of the people. He concludes his Sombre Reflections by comparing many things around him to actions of a "mad world", and he borrowed a term from another musical duo: Gary Jules and Michael Andrews. He is also critical of the desensitised members of the 'Crowd' that sit or stand and only watch.