Hollow Out the Dark

A Novel

De: James Wade

Narrado por: Roger Clark

Award-winning author James Wade blends atmospheric prose with soul-stirring themes in Hollow Out the Dark, a gothic adventure set against a Depression-era landscape where a whiskey war threatens to decimate a small Texas town.

A veteran of the Great War, Jesse Cole is grateful for the quiet life he now leads. But when his closest friend runs afoul of local criminals Frog and Squirrel Fenley, Jesse is forced to spin his moral compass and enter a violent and volatile underworld. There he encounters corrupt lawmen, hired assassins, and a dark family secret that will upend all he once knew.

Complicating matters are Texas Ranger Amon Atkins—who arrives to investigate the Fenleys just as their empire is threatened by a deadly new competitor—and the green-eyed, raven-haired Adaline, a love Jesse thought he’d lost forever.

With resources scarce and winter falling hard on the town, a desperate Jesse must choose between the law and the lawless and find a way to survive while still protecting the people he loves.

A heart-pounding tale full of plot-twisting revelations, Hollow Out the Dark brings listeners into a whiskey-fueled world where everyone has a secret, and love everlasting balances on the edge of a knife.

© 2024 James Wade (P) 2024 Blackstone Publishing

original southern gothic with narration to match

I've been a longtime fan of James Wade's books and jumped at the opportunity to read his most recent, HOLLOW OUT THE DARK. This novel is set during the Depression and Prohibition eras of American history. Bootlegging, violence, gang wars, corrupt politicians and police, and scarcity are all central to this novel. 
Writing/Plot: 
Wade's distinctive writing style is the appeal in any of his novels. His writing is descriptive and visual to the point where I can imagine the feel of the red clay under my own shoes. 
"The woods were still save a lingering gust of wind somewhere in the treetops. Subtle and soundless, the swaying of the pine like maladaptive kelp. The leaden sky bereft of clouds. An eerie and unmoving calm."
I mean, come on! There are only 26 letters in the alphabet. But Wade puts those letters together into words in such an original way that is just Chef's Kiss. 
Melancholy, truth, and death permeate this story, with no need to mollify the readers. But there is a bit of hope in the epilogues if you are one of those readers who need a happy ending. 
HOLLOW OUT THE DARK follows Texas Ranger Amon Atkins and WWI veteran\reluctant bootlegger Jesse Cole on their separate journeys. Amon is trying to solve a murder; Jesse is trying to protect his friend and family. Both arcs, for me, result in a crisis of personal beliefs and morals. I love this quote from Jesse, and think it could also apply to Amon: 
"Some folks have to be watched over, Danny told his little brother, when Jesse asked him why he'd done it. Other have to do the watching."
Both Amon and Jesse fit the bill of protectors in this novel. 
What strikes me about both characters is their connection to the women in their lives. Amon's wife and son follow him on his different assignments. Cora has supported him throughout his career. We can see the love these two characters have for each other and their son. There is one very moving scene between the three characters that I don't want to spoil, but let's just say that I found myself with a twig or something in my eye while walking on the treadmill! Jesse, on the other hand, is torn between protecting his brother's family, Eliza and Sarah, while fighting his feelings for his first love, Adaline. The juxtaposition of the relationships is noticeable and speaks volumes to the characters' motivation. 
Characters: 
There are A LOT of characters in this book! And a lot of characters that I would not want to hang out with in any way, shape, or form. Most of the Fenley gang. I did gravitate towards the women in the novel and would have appreciated some of the story from their POV's, especially that of Adaline. She has some secrets that were not yet discovered by the end of the novel that I'm still wondering about days later.  
Narration:
I both read and listened to HOLLOW OUT THE DARK. The transition from reading to listening was very seamless. Mr. Clark's narration captivates and enhances Wade's storytelling. The POV switches were easy to follow, with Jesse's and Amon's voices distinct. The production was smooth and enjoyable, with no quality issues with the recording. Clark's voice, speaking patterns, and enthusiasm while narrating are a perfect match for your southern gothic listening needs. 
With Wade's characteristic writing style and Clark's narration, I can easily imagine an old man, sitting on a porch, telling this story to his grandkids. Or anyone else who will listen. It's a bit of a stroll between Amon and Jesse's POV switches, but it's well-written and original. I recommend this to any readers interested in descriptive writing and southern gothic storytelling. 

James Wade is the Southern Gothic Demiurge

Holy cow, can James Wade write atmosphere and spin a yarn. Every. Single. Time.
I’ll admit, I started reading Hollow Out the Dark with my eyes (digital ARC), and I became intimidated by the vocabulary. Author James Wade USES BIG WORDS, effectively, yes, but my retired brain – most recently regaled by picture book stories - stopped hard. So I decided to switch to reading with my ears, and from there, went back and forth between the digital copy & the audiobook. And next, I will get the hardcover copy and hopefully catch up with the author somewhere and get it autographed.
Why the additional hardcover format? Well, aside from being a book nerd, this is the kind of book that should be held in one’s hands, with the words on paper pages absorbed slowly and revisited often. There are so many noteworthy quotes, turns-of-phrases, and exquisitely written passages.
“Charity’s not just for folks who have plenty; just like courage ain’t just for them without fear.”
Not only does he use the most robust vocabulary, one of the stellar aspects of Wade’s writing is the way he has and translates deep and philosophical thoughts into the everyday characters who are also not so run-of-the-mill. True, there may be a Platonic Demiurge reference that might skate over a reader’s head, but whether I catch them all or not, this reader always finishes one of James Wade’s book feeling a little smarter, a little more thoughtful about the world.
Speaking of finishing, the final chapter and epilogue of Hollow Out the Dark need mentioning. I see what you did there, Mr. Wade. You provided closure and resolutions to all the loose ends that this reader needed tied — and one I’d forgotten was dangling loose! And you did it with panache, giving readers the satisfaction of a come-uppance or two sprinkled with a much-needed dose of hope to pull us out of the darkness. Bravo.
ABOUT THE NARRATOR: I believe this is the third of Wade’s books Roger Clark has narrated, and he’s truly a master of Southern fiction diction. His distinct delivery is the perfect complement to Wade’s exceptional writing. Clark’s pacing made it easy to listen at regular speed; his delivery is nearly flawless. My one small quibble, and I recall it from another Texas-set book as well, is how mispronounces the Brazos River. It’s the only hint that he’s not Texan, and that’s impressive since he’s not one.
Hollow Out the Dark is an example of literary fiction at its finest, and Wade’s breadth of knowledge and storytelling skills shine. This novel secures his title as the Southern Gothic Demiurge.