The Night Train
Mar 12, 2012
The Night Train
Author: Carl Purdon
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services
Publication Date: February 2012
If Jayrod was a real boy and not a character, I would horrified about his life and try to take him home, give him a hot meal and hug him until he fell asleep. He's not a real boy, but sadly I'm sure his story parallels many children's real lives.
Jayrod is an abused boy. Abused by everyone. His teacher picks on him, he's bullied at school and his mother neglects him. His grandfather's quick to take a belt to him. But the worse is his father.
With his father often in prison, Jayrod just has to fend for himself during these times. But when his father gets out of prison, he lives with violence. He's beaten viciously on a frequent basis. Beaten horribly. We're talking coughing up blood beaten. This poor boy does his absolute best to stay out of everyone's way... but it's never enough.
Finally, after being beaten so badly he's in bed for a week he decides to run away. A train runs nightly past his house and he talks his best friend into running with him.
What follows is a tale of adventure, fear, despair and doubt. Jayrod and Arnold almost immediately hook up with a train bum. But after finding his face on a wanted poster while being taught to steal food - they're unsure if it's safer to stay with him, or to go home to what awaits them there.
This is a dark book filled with child beatings and bad people. I could see no light at the end of the tunnel with the story. But as in real life, sometimes people surprise you and are not what they seem. Sometimes, someone is there to help.. and perhaps even save you.
This is Carl's debut novel (he's written short stories for the Dew.) and I feel he's done a fine job. The story keeps you in it's grip the entire time.
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Reviewed by Idgie. If you would like to have the Dew review a book, please contact me at dewonthekudzu@gmail.com
