A novel that demonstrates resilience in the face of even the most daunting challenges.
Few among us would relish time in prison, but if we found ourselves incarcerated, certainly that moment of freedom, our eventual release, would be a glorious affair, right? “If anyone tells you getting out of prison is easy or joyful, they’re full of it.” This pulls-no-punches outlook permeates Justin Cook’s second adventure-thriller-drama hybrid memoir. Picking up the pieces where they were left in a crumpled pile, Abyss of Tyranny details life in the aftermath of reentry. For the author, what should have been a time of joy, possibility, and happy reunions is instead a cycle of disappointments, defeats, backslides, and impediments. While the atmosphere feels bleak, hang in there; eventually, there is a gratifying rush of lightness and brightness as Cook conquers not the tyranny of unjust systems, but the tyranny of his own limiting mindset. Cook discovers that freedom has more to do with circumstances on the inside than on the outside.
The captivating narrative is so absorbing that you’ll forget the events not only happened to the author but are still happening to countless others across the country. Indeed, as you pause and reflect on the offenses, you might wish it were fiction rather than the angsty recollections of one who lived a nightmare. Referring to the people around him as stupid, idiots, smug, and other contemptuous epithets helps paint a vivid picture of a sharp-tongued, bitter, judgemental, and self-loathing man whose life lacks purpose. But who wouldn’t feel frustration, even rage, when confronted with corruption, unfair treatment, shifting goalposts, and regrettable choices? This unrelenting struggle helps readers appreciate how great the transformation is as Cook fights for a positive outlook, chooses gratitude, and adopts better behaviors.
A brilliant example of narrative nonfiction, Justin Cook’s in-your-face storytelling is as engaging as any suspense or action novel. His writing style is casual yet polished, offering up a great balance with mass appeal. Cook makes readers a mixtape of his life, setting the mood in situations ranging from battling persistent addictions to enduring disheartening appointments with militant probation officers. While Cook bears responsibility for his actions, he certainly didn’t light the match on the unquenchable forest fire of horrific events that he describes throughout the novel. These outrageous circumstances help establish how corrupt, biased, and unfair things can be for some. Audiences will be stunned by what they read, scrutinizing their own corners of the world with freshly opened eyes. An unconventional tale of hope, Abyss of Tyranny is a novel that demonstrates resilience in the face of even the most daunting challenges.
