Review: Dark Land:  An Apocalyptic Novel
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 09 28, 2012
This is a well written story about survival and hope of Stanley and his Uncle Ray after a plague and limited nuclear bomb release in the US and the World.Stanley and his brother Johnny are home alone in the city one evening while their parents go into the city of Philadelphia for "date night".  While Stanley and Johnny are playing video games and eating pizza, there is a big flash of light and all the electricity goes out.  The go outside along with the neighbors and see the cloud and know what has happened.  The next morning, after huddling on the couch all night trying to stay warm, they hear a truck and throw open the door to see their Uncle Ray.  Gathering their stuff, they head for the hills to his cabin to try to survive.The story explores the life of a teenage boy who is trying to survive a new life while having trouble letting go of his old one.  He and Ray, along with others with cabins in the valley block it off and clear cut the land to grow corn to support the families and supply them with food to supplement hunting and fishing.  They must keep strangers out - not only to protect their food but also because they may be infected with radiation poisoning which can kill them all. He is having to grow up fast because of this but finds some happiness in the friendship of Sarah, one of the neighbor's daughter.Unfortunately, there is a restlessness inside of him that won't let go of his old life thus he starts making maps of everything.  Their settlement, the roads leading to it, the layouts, etc.. this obsession will come back to haunt him in the end.A great story of personal growth and moving forward even when you don't think you can.  Well written and engrossing.