I find some of what you say a little strange because did not colin later forgive jeremy saying he was just as much a victim as those who died.
I have yet to finish the book, if you are refering to something that is in it Mertol then that is why I've tried to state that I am only going by as far as I have got. I think I should clarify one thing. The fact they were killed is indeed sad, however, that does not mean that the book will make me sad as I am reading it in a completely detached way.
But to make one other point, after having written the part that I have read, I think that you are kind of saying what I was getting at. Cloin has carried out a very public grieving process which has consequently led to (in part as well as his studies) his recovery. Part of that recovery is to possibly forgive JB but to also see him as a victim (of his parents attitude and the established church) and he has been able to do this thanks (in part) to the destruction of JBs character.
I personally think that Colin comes across as a very shallow womaniser who is a little self-obsessed. The language he uses to describe Sheila's birth mother is somewhat creepy, as well as constantly being surrounded by a collection of ex-girlfriends and lovers doting on him. But if he has a voice people will listen and that is why the book was published in the first place. This will sound incredibly harsh but i think he plays a little on the tragedy and this is exactly what he accuses others of doing.
Does any of that make sense???