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Torn: Sixty Days of Calaboose
Not many would know the emotional impact that society has over a quiet, sensitive gay person because they are the ones who are rarely seen or heard. Send that person into a difficult, life-altering situation and what comes out of it is a heart-wrenching/inspirational story never expected and one that many would never dare to admit.
“ Sixty Days of Calaboose”
~ A Fictional Memoir ~
(Contemporary Psychological Drama)
“It is said that a mind is a terrible thing to waste…
For some, it is also a very terrifying thing to lose…”
What could possibly go wrong for a sensitive effeminate male unexpectedly incarcerated in a room full of unpredictable strangers? For Adrian Bailey, it was just about everything, and in the midst of fear, lies, prejudice, and madness, he finds more…
Under false pretenses, Adrian Bailey finds himself arrested and locked up in the local county jail for the first time in his life. Despite all the horror stories he had read or heard of concerning life behind bars, nothing was like the actual experience. Not only was he utterly devastated and confused over the situation he was unjustly thrown into, but also lost at the mercy of whatever actions that could or would be made against him, including prejudice from someone of his own race. As the madness of his experiences take control, Adrian fears his only recourse is to succumb to whatever means necessary to survive.
The traumatic events that occur thereafter would surpass everything Adrian thought he ever knew about real life. And then he finds what he never an intense three-way interracial love affair that would test every remaining fiber of his mental stability and then some. Worst of all, there wasn’t one thing he could do to stop it. Not one damn thing at all…
Adult Content – Violence & Sexual Situations implied.
“ Sixty Days of Calaboose”
~ A Fictional Memoir ~
(Contemporary Psychological Drama)
“It is said that a mind is a terrible thing to waste…
For some, it is also a very terrifying thing to lose…”
What could possibly go wrong for a sensitive effeminate male unexpectedly incarcerated in a room full of unpredictable strangers? For Adrian Bailey, it was just about everything, and in the midst of fear, lies, prejudice, and madness, he finds more…
Under false pretenses, Adrian Bailey finds himself arrested and locked up in the local county jail for the first time in his life. Despite all the horror stories he had read or heard of concerning life behind bars, nothing was like the actual experience. Not only was he utterly devastated and confused over the situation he was unjustly thrown into, but also lost at the mercy of whatever actions that could or would be made against him, including prejudice from someone of his own race. As the madness of his experiences take control, Adrian fears his only recourse is to succumb to whatever means necessary to survive.
The traumatic events that occur thereafter would surpass everything Adrian thought he ever knew about real life. And then he finds what he never an intense three-way interracial love affair that would test every remaining fiber of his mental stability and then some. Worst of all, there wasn’t one thing he could do to stop it. Not one damn thing at all…
Adult Content – Violence & Sexual Situations implied.
- GenresFiction
Kindle Edition
First published April 23, 2012
1 person is currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Tracy James Jones
14 books36 followersBio:
I grew up around Dallas and Waxahachie, Texas, and started writing while in high school with the help of a wonderful Journalism teacher. At Navarro College I majored in Journalism / minor in Mass Communication. Before college, I worked as an actor with the local Community Theater, and as an extra/stand-in for award winning feature films, “Places In The Heart” & “Born On The Fourth Of July.” As a freelance writer/novelist, I have written several college introductory letters, other contract writing projects, newspaper articles, and two published novels. My literary portfolio also includes a screenplay adaptation of my original fiction novel, “Searching For Eden.” Recent release, "Secrets & Lies"-2011, is a multicultural romantic drama which is also being adapted for film.
About Me:
According to a close relative, I was raised in a perpetual glass box, over protected from the woes of the real world around me. To a degree I accept this description because my early years were spent with my maternal grandmother who indeed sheltered and taught me only the good things about life. Through her, I learned to treat people the way I wanted to be treated, and to respect all others despite any differences. I lost my grandmother at the age of nine, but the things she taught me would last throughout my life. Once she was gone, the blinders were lifted. I was to never be a stranger to the hardships of life again. The hardest of all has been love, death, & prejudice. The joys have been a loving family and life-long friends. Most special are my mom and dad, Willie & Jennell Jones, who have been my champions throughout everything I have envisioned to achieve in my life. I am so blessed in more ways than I could have ever imagined.
http://tracyjamesjones.wordpress.com/
I grew up around Dallas and Waxahachie, Texas, and started writing while in high school with the help of a wonderful Journalism teacher. At Navarro College I majored in Journalism / minor in Mass Communication. Before college, I worked as an actor with the local Community Theater, and as an extra/stand-in for award winning feature films, “Places In The Heart” & “Born On The Fourth Of July.” As a freelance writer/novelist, I have written several college introductory letters, other contract writing projects, newspaper articles, and two published novels. My literary portfolio also includes a screenplay adaptation of my original fiction novel, “Searching For Eden.” Recent release, "Secrets & Lies"-2011, is a multicultural romantic drama which is also being adapted for film.
About Me:
According to a close relative, I was raised in a perpetual glass box, over protected from the woes of the real world around me. To a degree I accept this description because my early years were spent with my maternal grandmother who indeed sheltered and taught me only the good things about life. Through her, I learned to treat people the way I wanted to be treated, and to respect all others despite any differences. I lost my grandmother at the age of nine, but the things she taught me would last throughout my life. Once she was gone, the blinders were lifted. I was to never be a stranger to the hardships of life again. The hardest of all has been love, death, & prejudice. The joys have been a loving family and life-long friends. Most special are my mom and dad, Willie & Jennell Jones, who have been my champions throughout everything I have envisioned to achieve in my life. I am so blessed in more ways than I could have ever imagined.
http://tracyjamesjones.wordpress.com/
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 5, 2012
Torn: Sixty Days of Calaboose by Tracy James Jones is a heart-rending, fictional memoir of Adrian Bailey. Jailed on the basis of extremely nebulous pretenses, manipulated and lied to by a number of authority figures, Bailey learns to navigate the rocky waters of his incarceration. Readers travel with him as he does what is necessary to survive, finding the most amazing array of human emotions in himself and his fellow inmates – hope, love, humor, courage and the limits of sanity.
Many would rather die than go to a place like the United Rural Farmers Detention Center (URFDC), which is where Bailey finds himself. What’s worse is that he is beautiful, effeminate, and emotional, marking him as distinct among the aggressive populace of the jail. He has always been law abiding and has never experienced anything such as what he encounters in URFDC.
The characters and events in Torn: Sixty Days of Calaboose might have worked in different genres, but the author successfully uses the plot and fictitious characters to enter the mind of Adrian Bailey as he finds his grasp on rationality slipping away – even as he’s self-aware of it’s painful, protracted exit. What this lamb in the lion’s den clings to is love and the belief that he will be free.
Tracy James Jones has created a beautifully written journey through the darkest parts of the soul, via the intelligent, gentle heart of Adrian Bailey. Torn: Sixty Days of Calaboose is as visceral as it is addictive. One is simply compelled to flip the screen. Anyone who has ever found themselves in a tough situation, through no fault of their own will relate.
Many would rather die than go to a place like the United Rural Farmers Detention Center (URFDC), which is where Bailey finds himself. What’s worse is that he is beautiful, effeminate, and emotional, marking him as distinct among the aggressive populace of the jail. He has always been law abiding and has never experienced anything such as what he encounters in URFDC.
The characters and events in Torn: Sixty Days of Calaboose might have worked in different genres, but the author successfully uses the plot and fictitious characters to enter the mind of Adrian Bailey as he finds his grasp on rationality slipping away – even as he’s self-aware of it’s painful, protracted exit. What this lamb in the lion’s den clings to is love and the belief that he will be free.
Tracy James Jones has created a beautifully written journey through the darkest parts of the soul, via the intelligent, gentle heart of Adrian Bailey. Torn: Sixty Days of Calaboose is as visceral as it is addictive. One is simply compelled to flip the screen. Anyone who has ever found themselves in a tough situation, through no fault of their own will relate.
May 18, 2012
This is a quote from the author "One of the most emotionally engaging tales I have ever dared myself to write. Controversial isn’t word enough to describe it. Believe it or not, it could happen to almost anyone."
Yes this is a very controversial story and Tracy James Jones wrote it in a very professional way. A man with a feminine body wrongly sent to prison could be nothing but life altering. This story is mainly about the emotional struggles that goes on within the mind. Written in the first person I think was also a good choice, it was much easier to get inside the main characters head this way. Great job!
Yes this is a very controversial story and Tracy James Jones wrote it in a very professional way. A man with a feminine body wrongly sent to prison could be nothing but life altering. This story is mainly about the emotional struggles that goes on within the mind. Written in the first person I think was also a good choice, it was much easier to get inside the main characters head this way. Great job!
March 26, 2016
This is one of the hardest books I’ve had to review, and that’s a good thing. The reason is it touches on so many levels that’s it’s hard to find a place to begin.
The story was well written and had a good flow. I thought the author did an excellent job of bring to life the jail where Adrian finds himself. More than that, it helped to shine a bright light on some of the mental issues people deal with when they either don’t have something to focus on or feel like they’ve been abandoned.
I’ve heard some of Adrian’s struggles of adapting from people I’ve met that have spent time in the system. One even said he tried never to leave his cell to avoid any problems. So often we forget about people once they disappear behind those walls or bars. We forget they are people just like us, with faults like ours, especially, when someone that’s innocent is forced to endure the drastic change to their life. It begs the age-old question as to how or what do we change about it?
I enjoyed the characters. They were an interesting assortment that we’ve all come across at some point in our lives. My personal favorite was Tees, mainly because he reminded me of a few people I’ve known that made things “interesting” at times, and not always in a good way. Lol
To be honest, I felt for Adrian, but I so wanted someone to smack him at times. To say he has an addictive personality is putting it mildly, but given the circumstances, it’s also understandable. He needed someone to fill the void he felt within his life. Still, some of his decision making was frustrating at times, but I loved his frustration at dealing with his significant other. I’ve shared those same thoughts about some women at times. Lol
Over all I really enjoyed the story and think the author did a phenomenal job with difficult subject material. Choosing to write in from Adrian’s perspective was the only way to do it, I think. It’s story telling on another level and well worth checking out if you’re looking for an interesting and informative read.
The story was well written and had a good flow. I thought the author did an excellent job of bring to life the jail where Adrian finds himself. More than that, it helped to shine a bright light on some of the mental issues people deal with when they either don’t have something to focus on or feel like they’ve been abandoned.
I’ve heard some of Adrian’s struggles of adapting from people I’ve met that have spent time in the system. One even said he tried never to leave his cell to avoid any problems. So often we forget about people once they disappear behind those walls or bars. We forget they are people just like us, with faults like ours, especially, when someone that’s innocent is forced to endure the drastic change to their life. It begs the age-old question as to how or what do we change about it?
I enjoyed the characters. They were an interesting assortment that we’ve all come across at some point in our lives. My personal favorite was Tees, mainly because he reminded me of a few people I’ve known that made things “interesting” at times, and not always in a good way. Lol
To be honest, I felt for Adrian, but I so wanted someone to smack him at times. To say he has an addictive personality is putting it mildly, but given the circumstances, it’s also understandable. He needed someone to fill the void he felt within his life. Still, some of his decision making was frustrating at times, but I loved his frustration at dealing with his significant other. I’ve shared those same thoughts about some women at times. Lol
Over all I really enjoyed the story and think the author did a phenomenal job with difficult subject material. Choosing to write in from Adrian’s perspective was the only way to do it, I think. It’s story telling on another level and well worth checking out if you’re looking for an interesting and informative read.
July 20, 2012
Author: Tracy James Jones
Published by: T. J.
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Raven Rating: 4
Blog Review For: GMTA
Review:
"Torn, Sixty Days of Calabosse" by Tracy James Jones was a fictional
diary of Adrian Bailey that has been incarcerated under false pretenses. Adrian is locked up in the "local county jail (United Rural Farmers Detention Center) for the first time in his life." OMG! What does he have to fear this this place?...Mostly well ...'including prejudice from someone of his own race' so there is only one thing for him to do and that was 'to succumb to whatever means necessary in order to survive.' Wow! Adrian (Biscuit- his jail name) learns early on that he must "navigate the rocky waters of his incarceration... finding the most amazing array of human emotions in hmself and his fellow inmates...hope, love, humor, courage and the limits of sanity." However, even with all of this against Adrian he was still able to still believe in love and that oneday he would be free. Now, this is the time that I say pick up "Torn, Sixty Days of Calabosse" to see for yourself how and what happens in this good read.
The characters that this author protrayed were simply off the chart
playing with all the emotional struggles that can go on in ones mind.
All of the characters....making this a very intriguing read that I would not put it down until the end. Definitely this author worked it with this well written travel in this dark place and when it's all said and done.... this could happen! Wow!
Quote:
"Within a minute I realized that one of our boys was definitely going to catch the chain" meaning departure from within was soon.
Yes, this is a gay novel and if you can enter into "Torn, Sixty Days of Calaboose" then be prepared for a good emotional read. I am sure this read will be helpful to many! This is a Adult read and I would recommend this novel as a good read.
Published by: T. J.
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Raven Rating: 4
Blog Review For: GMTA
Review:
"Torn, Sixty Days of Calabosse" by Tracy James Jones was a fictional
diary of Adrian Bailey that has been incarcerated under false pretenses. Adrian is locked up in the "local county jail (United Rural Farmers Detention Center) for the first time in his life." OMG! What does he have to fear this this place?...Mostly well ...'including prejudice from someone of his own race' so there is only one thing for him to do and that was 'to succumb to whatever means necessary in order to survive.' Wow! Adrian (Biscuit- his jail name) learns early on that he must "navigate the rocky waters of his incarceration... finding the most amazing array of human emotions in hmself and his fellow inmates...hope, love, humor, courage and the limits of sanity." However, even with all of this against Adrian he was still able to still believe in love and that oneday he would be free. Now, this is the time that I say pick up "Torn, Sixty Days of Calabosse" to see for yourself how and what happens in this good read.
The characters that this author protrayed were simply off the chart
playing with all the emotional struggles that can go on in ones mind.
All of the characters....making this a very intriguing read that I would not put it down until the end. Definitely this author worked it with this well written travel in this dark place and when it's all said and done.... this could happen! Wow!
Quote:
"Within a minute I realized that one of our boys was definitely going to catch the chain" meaning departure from within was soon.
Yes, this is a gay novel and if you can enter into "Torn, Sixty Days of Calaboose" then be prepared for a good emotional read. I am sure this read will be helpful to many! This is a Adult read and I would recommend this novel as a good read.
May 17, 2012
This book was a hard one to write because I had to basically put myself into the emotions of the central characters so much. With the help of some very good friends, and the words and advice of many others, I was able to get a better feeling of how the story should play out. I think I did okay, but I am open to suggestions. Trying to write in 1st person is a little harder than I thought. Overall, I love how the whole thing finally played out and I would hope my readers will feel the same. :o)
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews