Journey from Darkness

by Gareth Crocker, Llewellyn Crocker

An African adventure set on the border between South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Escaping an England crippled by The Great War, twin brothers Edward and Derek Hughes head to South Africa. Inspired by their late father’s diary, they intend to help save the country’s dwindling elephant population from savage poaching that has placed them on the brink of oblivion. Soon after their arrival they discover a rare female Desert Elephant—an animal believed by many to be a myth—following an ancient ghost trail to Bechuanaland. But the matriarch is being pursued by relentless shadows—a black light even more murderous than the war. To save her, the brothers will have to journey into the darkness.

260 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2012

About the author

Gareth Crocker was born in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1974. He has a degree in English, Psychology and Communications and has worked as a journalist, copywriter, news editor, public relations manager, publishing editor and, most recently, head of communications and spokesperson for a multinational corporation. Writing is done at night, in a dark room, next to a small window, under a bright moon. Leaving Jack is his first novel, which he wrote in the company of his three dogs, Jill, Rusty and Jack. A new US hardcover version of Leaving Jack, entitled Finding Jack is due for release on February 15, 2011.

Reviews

[Sherri · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't want to read about killing elephants.

[John Monaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great look into how these brothers survived a war and learned how to find a life that matched their needs.

The author did a great job in building out the background in elephant poaching in the early 20th century. The story of the brothers was strong but the background made it easier to understand and buy into their decisions.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

AS I started to read this book, I thought it was about twin brothers and there struggle but then it read as if it was about poaching elephants. At that point I just read it like a fiction with several themes which kept me from being bog-down with facts.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful read about elephants and the two men who nearly gave up everything to save these amazing creatures from poachers.

[Elsie Strauss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute stunning book. I just love the storyline!

[Nerine Dorman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very evocative tale with beautiful imagery in places but marred by serious point-of-view issues near the end.

FULL REVIEW ... (appeared in the Pretoria News, August 12, 2013)
For those who have a deep, abiding love of the African bush and its denizens, father-and-son duo Gareth and Llewellyn have whisked up an evocative tale that’s sure to gain an emotional reactions from sensitive readers.

Somehow twin brothers Derek and Edward made it through the trenches of World War I. They find their way to Africa where they get involved in a pioneering conservation project. Elephant poaching is at its height, and the majestic tuskers are being butchered, and brutally so.

Existing almost as complete opposites to the twin brothers are a pair of poachers, incidentally also brothers, who are also survivors of the Great War. Only they didn’t quite transcend their personal darkness, which fuels their bloodlust as they go about the dismal business of poaching elephants. A little too conveniently, the authors paint these two out to be stereotypical storybook villains complete with tattoos and a sadistic fixation with death-dealing and sadism.

Derek and Edward soon encounter a wounded, almost mythical desert elephant, and Derek, with Edward’s support, gets it into his head to accompany the pachyderm in her overland quest, ostensibly to protect her from poachers but also, to a degree, I suspect to conquer his own sense of purposelessness in the aftermath of the war. It goes without saying that he’s going to lock horns with the poachers, who know only cruelty. But Derek’s no pushover, and he goes about exacting revenge.

The thing that marred my experience of reading the novel was that at its close I encountered serious point of view issues. I then had to go back and reread a number of sections just to figure out particulars, and even then I became quite annoyed because there would have been an easier way to get around the problem. My main gripe: characters withholding key information in order to create suspense.

Technical problems aside, however, Gareth and Llewellyn have touched upon certain topical issues – such as mankind’s impact on Africa’s wildlife, and whether the end justifies the means when it comes to resolving some of them, and just for that, Journey From Darkness is bound to elicit some thought-provoking dialogue among readers.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twin brothers Edward and Derek Hughes have been scarred by war and fighting for their country which now feels more prison than home. So in 1918 they leave battle ravaged England to realize a childhood dream, to follow in their father’s footsteps to the South African bush. When they arrive they make a remarkable discovery when they encounter a rare elephant tribe. But a darker discovery tells them that the bush is in a war of it’s own, that the innocent victims have no recourse, no defense, as they’re mercilessly slaughtered for their ivory which has threatened the entire elephant population. Incensed by the cruelty and butchery and intent on making a difference the brothers vow to protect the sole survivor of such an attack at all cost. They will witness unbelievable cruelty as they journey into the darkness in an attempt to stop the killings and maybe forever changed for what they saw and felt obligated to do.

Journey From Darkness is a haunting tale of beastly actions and unselfish bravery, a testament to the incredible storytelling ability of it’s authors. The content is sometimes difficult to read but important to learn the plight of these innocent victims of the butchery of poaching. The blow of words is softened by the authors expert use of prose in the narrative that gives the characters such definition and depth, that gives personality and voice to the story, that makes a laugh possible in the presence of violence. The brothers make great heroes especially as their anti-hero qualities make them more credible, the villains on the other hand have no redeeming qualities and are ghastly soul-less creatures. The most amazing feat of all was the individuality given Shawu, her emotions, her dramatic personality, her heart made her a truly exceptional player in the novel.
This is not my first journey with Gareth Crocker, our last trip took me to Vietnam where I met an incredible dog named Jack. This is however my first experience with the co-author and Gareth’s father Llewellyn and it’s been my immense pleasure.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Characters changed their core. Focus of the story changed. It had such potential but I don't even trust what I learned about elephants because I cannot distinguish fact from fiction based on the way the characters and story changed so significantly.

[Metoo OM · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was more of a documentary although fiction - - what an undertaking it must've been for the author & his co-writer Dad! But I really wanted a good story w/ adventure & romance at the time, so I skimmed it. Still giving it 5 stars because it was a remarkable writing venture.

[Jacquie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting - very descriptive.

[Peggy Sinden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very different from what I usually read. Learned a lot about Elephants and think the poachers got exactly what they deserved.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reader's Digest Volume 1 2015

[Nicky K · Rating 1 out of 5]

Beyond boaring!!!!! Could not carry on anymore!

[Denise Reynecke · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good read!!

[Anne]

Loved this story.