Brian Tangello is one of life’s helpless losers; a simple soul with an enormous capacity to love, he is written off by his teachers and let down by his mates. The only one who loves him is his gran, until young Crystal O’Leary is touched by his devotion when Tango comforts her after the death of her father. Soon she’s pregnant, and Tango thinks that at he will be happy.

A poverty-wracked community is the backdrop to Tango’s tragedy. With everything against them — unemployment, petty crime, violence — Tango attempts to create a happy, insular little world for his small family. Yet Tango is totally without the resources — personal or financial — to make a go of life as a father. Soon Crystal, herself only a child, has had enough of unfullfilled promises, and the inevitable and heart-breaking end to Tango’s dream is set in train.

Tango’s story is told with a fierce and partially guilt-inspired loyalty by his friend Chris, who has been absent for the best part of Tango’s story. Thus hearsay and personal interest colour the way Tango and Crystal’s friends relate the events; it’s Tango’s fault; it’s Crystal’s fault. Author Waddell clearly sees the spiritual and economic poverty of the community as the cause of Tango’s personal tragedy. Tango’s Baby is one of the saddest and most moving books about the effects of poverty on the growing soul that I have read.