*TRIGGER AND CONTENT WARNING* PLEASE TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY! This book contains many graphic examples of foul, offensive, obscene language, child abuse, sexual abuse, brutality, violence, suffering, homophobia, and racism. This book contains mature, adult (18+) content. Therefore, it should not be read by children or minors.

John grew up in an incredibly narcissistic, dysfunctional family on a farm in southeastern North Carolina during the repressive 1960s. This was the model family to the broader community; his parents were considered pillars of society. Yet, this family held many deep, dark secrets governed by family honor, vanity, and pride. The parents' standing in the community was paramount to everything else. No one, no family member, circumstance, event, or situation, was to shame and embarrass them and get in the way of how they ranked and viewed themselves.

Robin's Review: I will reiterate the content triggers:

Assault, Attempted Murder, Attempted rape, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Cults, Depression, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Incest, Occult, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Profanity, PTSD, Racism, Rape, Sexual Abuse, Sexual assault, Sexually explicit scenes, and Violence.

Content: This book contains mature, adult (18+) content. Therefore, it should not be read by children or minors.

The author has stated, "We, children, grew up in a most turbulent time - when the United States, especially the South, was changing from the old to the new ways of life. We grew up in the 1960s and 1970s during the Civil Rights Movement, Desegregation, the Vietnam War, and the Hippie Movement. We grew up in a time when drug use became prevalent. We grew up in a time of great political and societal unrest and change in America.

In contrast, we grew up in a repressive southern society of deep, dark secrets. Yet on the surface, it appeared that we grew up in a sleepy, conservative, unassuming, and uninspiring farming community. But under that cloak of disguise, we came from a society that clung to a past governed by strict adherence to culture, religious intolerance, and extreme racism."

And this statement sets the tone for this story.

This novel is incredibly difficult to read, as it conveys the sad reality of life for many children in this era. The author's instruction that you keep a box nearby indicates the immense pain and abuse inflicted on children during this time. Parents believed themselves to be entitled to do whatever they wished with their children, which included psychological manipulation, physical and sexual violence, neglect, and a lack of basic necessities.

This heartbreaking story gives a glimpse into the tragic life of its author. It shines an uncomfortable spotlight on his struggles and suffering at the hands of those closest to him, leaving me with a heavy heart and longing for justice for what he endured.

Walk With Me Into the Dark