Too Dark To See

by Jay Chastain

Alternate cover edition of: ASIN B00GAFCJR6

Will keeps all the lights on in his house. Every closet, lamp, bedroom, and stove light stays on, regardless of the time of day. Bad things happen in the darkness. She hides in the shadows.

But as the stress of writer's block sets in, and the paranoia that his wife is cheating on him eats at his thoughts, Will finally turns to the darkness for help.

With its raw honesty, fast form, and chilling depictions of a man mentally decaying, Too Dark To See is a mind-bending and unflinching look at the madness inside of us all.

Genres: Horror

155 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 18, 2013

About the author

(From the authors website):

Born at some point in the past, I grew up to love music and books.

As a child I played drums (a massive 12 piece set with 8 toms, modeled after Neil Pert’s set). My parents, when they were coherent, would have me play songs at parties. At age five I was playing Metallica (not too hard to believe. Lars is their drummer, after all) and Guns & Roses.

As I got older, I started moving into my own music, diving into System of a Down, Linkin Park, Godsmack, and other bands that were popular at that time.

Music was an escape from the issues I had to grow up seeing. When I was frustrated with life or just felt like laying down some mad beats, I could go out in the garage, crank the PA, and just play.

Soon, my house got repossessed, and I lost a place to play my drums. (Which actually caused me to form several bands in the country with my cousin and people a few years older than me. Needless to say, I started drinking at a young age.)

Since my house was gone, I started to focus on my acoustic guitar and reading. I read before this, of course, but around that age I really started diving into all things literature and science.

I read up on the classics like Moby Dick and Hemingway, but I also started my love affair with fantasy and sci-fi, reading Asimov and Phillip K. Dick and Pat Rothfuss.

I also started reading about Evolution and how the universe works. (I am plagued with wanting to know what is true and real in the world, a path that has ultimately led me to an agnostic/atheistic viewpoint of life. Though, I respect other ways of seeing things.)

A few years later I started writing seriously. It had never occurred to me to try and write for a living. My focus had been music for so long, it was like a sudden revelation when my wife suggested it (she normally has the best ideas).

So, I started researching how to write better and how to get published. I started a few novels, wrote some stories, and even finished a book (which I later published, only to take down ;))

Since all of that, I have published 3 full length novels, a couple short stories, and have started several different websites under different pen names.

I have since taken all of that down and started this website which is my most honest and real attempt at being a writer in today’s world.

Why?

Because after much research, writing practice, and focus (not to mention help from the guys at the Self Publishing Podcast and A Newbies Guide to Publishing), I finally feel like I have enough grasp of what it takes to be a full-time author and do right by readers.

And that is really the only goal…to give something back to the community that helped me survive a rough childhood, stories people can escape to and learn from (and maybe some music too).

I promise, I will try my best!

Reviews

[Brenda Roberson · Rating 1 out of 5]

What does it feel like to go crazy? This book is about a writer who seems to be loosing his mind and drinks or writes, when he can, to try to keep the demons at bay. He finally turns his madness into a second book which becomes his "life".

His crazy rambling thoughts were hard to follow. I wonder if that was to show the madness of the character? I was often confused as to whether he was writing his story or not. This novel does keep you on the edge of your seat as you experience many twists and turns. TOO DARK TO SEE was bizarre enough that it had me wondering what was going to happen next!

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darkness. Everywhere. Even in the light. No darkness is truly gone. No matter who says it. No matter what you wish for. It's as real as all things. All dreams. All illusion.

Whaaaaaat was that! Delicious workings of a disturbed mind is what! Once I was able to actually sit for more than 10 minutes and focus, I couldn't put it down. Really enjoyed.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was unusual. Very short sentences, lots of internal conversations and absolutely bonkers. However it's a story about madness and the mind eating away at itself and the short sentences and internal conversations absolutely achieve this.

Will, the main character is slightly confused and so the conversations he has with himself and the conversations he has with his Demon muse can sometimes be confusing, but again lends itself fantastically to the fact that this is a story about a guy losing it.

He has all the lights on all day and all night, he can't have shadows, he can't have darkness. He must be in the light, otherwise his Demon muse will come to him. He can't have that.

However at around 42% I had figured out what was going to happen or where the story was
leading to. It's a good book but might have liked longer sentences.

[Judy Stambaugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

What do I say?

Okay. To me this book was really weird, hard To follow at times. Like, who is speaking? I nearly stopped reading it a couple of times but kept thinking, I'll get it in a minute.... I did finish it and was surprised at the ending. I. Can't rea!!y make a call on it. To some, it might be great but to me. Not so much.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very strange, hard to tell which story line is real.

[Alicia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried really hard with this book. I generally don't like to write bad reviews and I always like to read books completely before I pass judgement, but I couldn't with this book.

I got about 77% through the book and had to stop. I get the premise of the story, but the writing style was just not my cup of tea. It was hard to figure out what was going on - which may have been the authors intent. It was just too 'cerebral' for me. I like dark books, but I don't like spending most of my time trying to decipher what exactly is going on at all times.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! It felt like this author really understands the world of the "not all there in the head." Come join the world of Will. He's not in total control of his senses, I could relate. This book has wonderful twists, you feel like you know where it's going then, Bam! If you like the dark side of psychology, this book is for you. I had to force myself to put it down and do my daily stuff. Really enjoyed it.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will likes to keep all the lights on, every light in the house, closets, lamps EVERY light. If even one goes out, SHE may come. He is a writer suffering from writers block. If he is not writing, the demons come. He tries to drink them away but it only helps for a while.

This is an edge of your seat psychological thriller. Don't get too comfortable with the story because it will change. This is a look into the mind of madness.