It's not at all surprising that a book entitled Where All Light Tends To Go, written by someone named David Joy, would be full of instances where light was used symbolically and metaphorically. But what was surprising about this novel was just how deeply dark and disturbing it was. There was however, one point near the end, where it looked like the author might be setting us up for a happy ending. I remember saying to myself " Man, he better not ruin this story with a happy ending". Turns out I had no reason to worry . The author proceeded to get even darker ! ( )

A finalist for the 2015 Edgar Award for Best First Novel, Where All Light Tends to Go by David Joy is an intense Red-Neck Noir that is harsh, evocative and powerful. The author sets his story in the North Carolina mountains and as Jacob McNeely’s story unfolds we learn that he lives in a tight, unjust world of crystal meth dealing as run by his clever, cold, and ever watchful father. Jacob desperately needs to escape but the only way out means crossing his father and Jacob doesn’t know anyone who has done that and lived.

Although Jacob left school and turned his back on his peers to work for his father, he is in love with Maggie, who has been in his life since they were very young. It’s through Maggie that he hopes to find redemption. She is going to be leaving soon, heading toward University and a new life and wants Jacob to go with her. The only thing standing in their way is money, and money is one of the things that his father has withheld from him.

I found Where All Light Tends to Go a moving account of one young man’s desire for a new life set against the brutal reality of what he currently has. With a father who is a killer and a mother who is an addict, Jacob has never had any choice in who or what he would become. This is the author’s first book and I have previously read his second, The Weight of the World, so I know that this is an author who can deliver a dark and gritty story along with beautiful descriptive writing. I am looking forward to book number three. ( )

Damn. What a novel.

There's certain novels I read and they make me jealous. They go beyond the standard level of entertainment, or thought provocation, and they sweep you up with a level of writing, a level of insight, that you normally don't get.

And while my thoughts are still provoked, while I am still entertained, there is also a jealousy that sets in. Why can't more writers write like this? Why can't I write like this?

David Joy has written one of those novels. ( )

Much like Bull Mountain, David Joy writes about a dysfunctional criminal family in the Appalachain area of North Carolina. Jacob McNeely is the son of the local drug dealer, who has a mean temper and no compassion. Jacob has broken off his relationship with his tomboy girlfriend, when he realizes she has the potential to leave the hellhole where they live and he is keeping her there. Jacob is forced by circumstances to do things he abhors, and David Joy keeps you guessing what is going to happen until the very, very end. Well written and clever. ( )

This book is not something I would have chosen to read. I only read it because it was the choose of a book club I am part of. I was hoping for something along the lines of Ron Rush because he writes dark stories about Appalachia, an area I know well. While the plot was good, I never felt any connection to the main character.

I did enjoy the descriptions of the area. I know Cashiers well and if the author had not I would not have fooled me. The plot pacing was good and I thought the author did a good job with showing how violence can seep into the very pores of someone. ( )