The Dark Inside

by Rupert Wallis

[Kelly]

3½ Stars.
http://www.divabooknerd.com/2014/07/the-dark-inside-by-rupert-wallis.html
The Dark Inside is an incredibly difficult book to review without revealing the storyline that is a strange mix of contemporary and fantasy. It follows the life of James, thirteen years old and still mourning the loss of a car accident which killed his mother. It's now only he and his stepfather, who wavers between neglecting the boy in his care, or physically abusing him, often by way of belt or fists. His dream of escape comes in the form of Webster, a man on the run from recapture. What results is a road trip where both James and Webster learn about not only one another, but those they meet by chance along the way to self discovery and freedom, whatever the cost.

I absolutely adored the contemporary storyline, how two seemingly broken travel companions provided a sense of hope to others and brightened the lives of strangers, but the fantasy aspect was not only strange, but often left me bewildered and having to reread over passages. I just didn't get it. I'm not sure if the paranormal elements included were supposed to be realistic, or seen more symbolic of how the characters are feeling. Then again, I might be reading far more into the intricate storyline, that may be seen as a fable. But upon finishing, it feels as though I've missed something, either a moral or life lesson. The ratings it's received so far have been mostly glowing. I must admit, I'm really not sure how I feel about this one.

I enjoyed aspects such as the characters, the message of hope that it portrayed and how the storyline flowed from gritty contemporary to dream like fantasy. But others, not so much. I don't quite understand why what would have been a solid four star contemporary coming of age, was brought down by the inclusion of a paranormal curse, what is essentially an evil witch and her minion and a boy who finds himself fleeing far more than the abuse he experienced at home.

I have no idea how to rate The Dark Inside, as I'm just not sure what it was. But I urge you to grab a copy, because I need someone to talk about this one with. It had left me feeling a broad spectrum of emotions that I just can't seem to put into words... Except for the ending that completely broke me.