I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A man serving the final part of a 30-to-life sentence reflects on the life that brought him to this redemptive arc in author Paul Cody’s “Walk the Dark”.

The Synopsis

Oliver Curtin grows up in a nocturnal world with a mother who is a sex worker and drug addict, and whose love is real yet increasingly unreliable. His narration alternates between that troubled childhood and the present of the novel, where he is serving the last months of a thirty-years-to-life sentence in a maximum-security prison in upstate New York, for a crime he committed at age seventeen. His redemption is closely allied with his memories, seen with growing clarity and courage. If he can remember, then life in the larger world is possible for him.

The Review

This was such a compelling and rich novel. The author expertly weaves a drama that delves into the prison system and the impact incarceration can have on individuals. The heavy atmosphere and the stellar use of tension and time jumps throughout the narrative elevated the protagonist’s story considerably. 

The psychological impact of both life in prison and his complicated relationship with his mother and the women in his life made Oliver’s story so dynamic. The blurred lines between the past and the present as the author jumped around Oliver’s life allowed the reader to peel back the layers of the character’s experiences perfectly. The examination of what life for prisoners is like once they get out, especially after long sentences, gives readers a haunting image of the anxiety and stress that they face in the “real world.”

The Verdict

Author Paul Cody’s “Walk the Dark” is a must-read novel. It is memorable, engaging, and artfully written. The personal and character-driven narrative and the heartfelt exploration of this man’s life will keep readers hooked on the author’s every word. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10