Jack Kearney

This is a book that you need to make time to read. The story will capture your attention and not let go. Fortunately it takes only about 2 hours, more or less, to read. There are no chapters in the book. The story, instead, moves from scene to scene. It felt, to me, like a movie playing in my mind. The author is very good with descriptions and scene setup which helps. However it can be jarring if you aren't expecting it. After adjusting my reading, I had no issues with the way the story is told.
There are two settings to the book. The first is Hollywood, the actor's heaven and hell. This is an area that the expertise of the author shines. Everything about it had a realistic feel to it. Some may have an objection to how women are portrayed here. Personally I felt the author was presenting them as they are. Like it or not, Hollywood is a town based upon beauty and illusions. Women there are beautiful with "perfect" bodies. The author portrays them as money and power seekers who use men. I don't think he is making that up. Women do attach to men for help with their careers, for the lifestyle, for the money, for the power and prestige. That can happen anywhere but I think it is often found in Hollywood. To be fair, he wasn't entirely forgiving of men either. Danny was judging women with an eye toward who could help him and who was beautiful with the body to match. There were various scenes where you could see that, pretty much, everyone in Hollywood is taking care of business whatever way they need to. If that sounds ruthless, think about the town and the industry there. It is ruthless.
The second setting in the book is in a prison. I have never been arrested. I have visited family there. I am in contact with them. I know someone who was in a juvenile facility that had an acting workshop. The inmates wrote and performed their work. I attended those performances. That is my extent of true prison knowledge. How much of the scenes in the prison setting are true, I have no idea. The are realistic to me. There is violence and a rough rape scene. I figured that would be in the book when I started it. It still stopped my breath. The scene was written intersecting with another scene. The second scene included a song of hope and love. The two scenes together made a strange dance that was horrifying yet gave a moment to breathe. The combination was absolutely chilling.
There are a few editing issues. I was aware of them but they did not distract me. The story kept me engaged and that is what a book is about. The author has a story to tell and it is a gritty, riveting one. The characters are real. I won't say likable because not all are. But realistic...definitely. The postscript actually leaves you wondering how many are based upon people the author knows. Which leads you to wondering how much of the story is based upon reality. The best writers write what they know. I'm not saying the author experienced prison or that any of this story is true. I don't know him so I have no idea. I am saying it is so well told that you will have no problem believing it.
This isn't a book for everyone. Some will object to how people are portrayed. Some don't want to know anything about prison. Some can be triggered if they have PTSD. If, however, you want to take an intense ride with in your face reality, this could be your book. Strangely, if you want to read a harrowing account of how badly things can go and have hope at the end of it...this could be your book too.
Disclosure. I was given the opportunity to review this book by BookTasters. A mobi file was given to me for review purposes by the author. I received nor sought any compensation for the review. The review is my honest feelings towards the book.… (mehr)

*The author provided me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review which follows*

Danny Belson is the epitome of a struggling actor. Young, good-looking, gifted with the body of a young adonis; he has done his time waiting tables, scrubbing toilets, appearing for auditions, and waiting for his big break in Hollywood to finally come. When he isn’t playing pool or meeting beautiful women, Danny Belson is just a normal guy trying to make a make a living as an actor.

Always looking for that elusive “break,” into Hollywood, Danny gets recruited as an acting assistant by Ellie, the leader of a two-week acting workshop to help inmates find better jobs after incarceration at the Lompoc medium-security prison. Danny was chosen to take part in California’s answer to New Jersey’s highly acclaimed “Scared Straight” by actually working with the inmates. However, the job does not come without difficulties as Danny struggles to earn the respect of the inmates.

Danny persists and is able to share with the men what the real world of acting is all about. Many of the men accept him and deep friendships are forged. Feeling that honesty is the best way to learn, Danny critiques one of the men for their performance during a role-playing exercise. The man is offended and storms out of the workshop. Danny realizes he has made a critical error in judging this man’s character. Even though Danny feels rewarded with the success of the inmate actors, he knows that he has made an enemy.

After the success of the acting workshop at the prison, Danny returns to his normal life. He stumbles into an audition that promises to change his life for the better. While giving the best performance of his life at the audition, he meets the woman of his dreams. It is quickly apparent from the reception the two receive at the audition, the duo are sure to strike it big! Danny and the woman agree to meet after her waitressing shift at the local bar is finished later that night.

In a bizarre turn of events, Danny is involved in a car accident that night on his way to meet this bewitching new woman, which results in the death of a pedestrian, who turns out to be the lover of a high-ranking city official. Framed for the murder, he finds himself behind bars at the Lompoc medium-security prison. In just a short amount of time, Danny’s life is suddenly turned “INSIDE OUT!”

Recommendation:

Jack Kearney used a unique style of writing when sharing Danny Belson’s life with the reader. Intimate flashbacks of Danny’s life, written in the first person, were used to tell the back story in an effective manner without chapters splitting up the cadence of the story. It took me a bit to get used to the writing style but by then I was engrossed in the captivating story itself. I was so engaged I read the story in only two nights.

This is the raw and explosive story of a man wronged by a prison system that is fraught with scandal and greed. I loved the rehabilitative ideal of the men attending acting classes as a way to give them freedom from their prison environment. With some of the men, I got the distinct feeling that the characters were already skilled actors by committing the crimes they were convicted for.

However, it was through acting and pantomime, these prisoners were able to change their perspective on life. I know it’s been said before, but sometimes all you need is the right break or for the right door to open. This is a central theme throughout the story. It is the glimmer of hope, the thread of possibility that cheers men forward to do bigger and better things with their life.

I won’t kid you. This book portrayed the brutality of prison life which brought tears to my eyes. For me, what championed the story was the deep friendships from the men in the acting class and how they related to Danny. All of the men, convicted criminals, showed a side of humanity filled with honor and integrity that seemed to be lacking from the actual prison officials. It really made me think about our prisons and what their actual purpose is, to rehabilitate prisoners or to just keep them away from the rest of society. This was a thought provoking read.

It is said that adversity changes you sometimes for better or for worse. Danny’s triumph is knowing when to act upon his misfortunes while remaining true to himself. I found the end of the book to be spectacular and soul satisfying!

Character Believability: 5
Flow and Pace: 4.5
Reader Engagement: 5
Reader Enrichment: 4
Reader Enjoyment: 4.5
Overall Rate: 4.5 out of 5 stars… (mehr)

Inside Out is a semi-autobiographical fiction suspense thriller about the struggling actor Danny set in the mid-80s. Thrown into prison as a non criminal Danny's professional career seems over. And yet, he's giving improv workshops with inmates and develops a couple of entertaining acts. The prison's full of interesting characters, some very violent, others friendly en helpful. Danny's life as beach volleyball loving, pool shooting, actor, who's only worry is knowing when his next audition will come, is turned upside down. Acting as way to become free again from inside a prison is a remarkable story.
The absence of chapters and abundance of characters gave me the impression that the story could go on forever. A clearer and more concise plot would benefit the book's power. Next to that, it's obvious from the many conversations that you're reading a script turned into a novel.… (mehr)