What do you think?
Rate this book
Radio Dark
A mysterious condition sweeps the country, leaving its victims in a catatonic state. The power grid fails and the world goes dark. Somewhere in Florida, where the sprawling suburbs meet a dying citrus grove, a janitor at a small community radio station, an FCC field agent, and a DJ attempt to restore order and humanity. They build a radio tower to recruit survivors. As newcomers arrive and occupy the homes of the affected, a community grows and thrives. But when supplies dwindle and more people succumb to the condition, a doomsday preacher arrives to test the limits of the community; and the radio tower, once seen as a marvel, begins to look like an abomination.
Radio Dark fuses Cormac McCarthy's visceral realism with Daniil Kharms' absurdist sensibility to create a uniquely surreal post-apocalyptic novel.
Radio Dark fuses Cormac McCarthy's visceral realism with Daniil Kharms' absurdist sensibility to create a uniquely surreal post-apocalyptic novel.
127 pages, Paperback
First published August 20, 2019
2 people are currently reading
185 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 8, 2019
I have conflicted feelings over Shane Hinton’s Radio Dark. There are some aspects I appreciated but have been confused or frustrated with some of its choices. On the surface, this story is about society’s descent into the apocalypse: all of humankind are catching some kind of ‘condition’ where they fall into an irreversible catatonic state. They stare silently into space, and no longer have any need for food or drink. They simply exist. We view this nightmarish scenario through the eyes of a man named Memphis, who is a custodian at a suburban Florida radio station. As this sickness starts to spread, an FCC employee named Cincinnati, the only other named character in the story, visits the radio station and begins to enact emergency procedures. She appears to be the first in the area to know about the oncoming ‘condition’ and partners with Memphis to try and salvage what they can from the fast-dwindling community.
The above premise of the book intrigued me. However, as the story progressed, there were several questionable plot developments that didn’t quite sit well with me. First, there were a few instances of situational comedy that seemed incredibly forced. They felt like weird tonal shifts that did not line up with Hinton’s subdued writing style. Hinton’s prose borders on minimal, using short sentences that inform the reader of just the facts. “A walked here. B shot the basketball. The ball bounced towards the sewer grate.” The reader is never privy to what’s going on inside any of these characters’ heads, and we’re left to determine the character’s feelings and motivations by their actions. Yet the characters move about like emotionless drones. Perhaps the author is arguing that the catatonic victims are not that far removed from the current state of man, but this does not line up with the other messages the story is trying to tell.
Religion plays a substantial role in the story. There is a community preacher who spreads the word about how human communication is sinful, and that humans should not speak. Radio communication is an act against God, silence is next to godliness, and mankind should return to the ocean. His congregation is made up of both living and catatonic members, but everyone is silent, so we are unable to tell who has the condition. As Memphis and Cincinnati build a new communication tower to bring survivors to their community, some of the preacher’s warnings become reality: Memphis begins to suffer injuries that he cannot recover from. Months go by and the scab on his lip doesn’t heal. Then his hands become infected. Then things get worse. This seems like it could be an allegory, that there’s an underlying message about whether human communication is good or bad, but the book never makes it clear. Aren’t our communicative abilities a major part of what makes us human? If the book is arguing that sharing ideas is a bad thing, then shouldn’t this book never have been written?
The story becomes less and less clear towards the end. Plot developments veer into obscure territory. Survivors continue to fall victim to the condition. Memphis and Cincinnati experience some terrible ordeals, and the situation looks bleaker by the day. After some predictably terrible events ensue, the story just… ends. If there’s a lesson to be learned, I cannot say.
Hinton’s writing seems clearly influenced by the works of Cormac McCarthy: a dystopian atmosphere, desolate and rife with misery, delivered with a dry prose that intends to elicit emotion through its atmosphere. But the message of the story never comes into focus, and any semblance of understanding its intention becomes more bewildering by the story’s end. This is a short novel and it moves rather quickly, so if the above premise sounds interesting, then you might enjoy it. But it’s confusing resolution and its inability to present clear arguments left me wanting.
eARC provided by Edelweiss
2.75 / 5
The above premise of the book intrigued me. However, as the story progressed, there were several questionable plot developments that didn’t quite sit well with me. First, there were a few instances of situational comedy that seemed incredibly forced. They felt like weird tonal shifts that did not line up with Hinton’s subdued writing style. Hinton’s prose borders on minimal, using short sentences that inform the reader of just the facts. “A walked here. B shot the basketball. The ball bounced towards the sewer grate.” The reader is never privy to what’s going on inside any of these characters’ heads, and we’re left to determine the character’s feelings and motivations by their actions. Yet the characters move about like emotionless drones. Perhaps the author is arguing that the catatonic victims are not that far removed from the current state of man, but this does not line up with the other messages the story is trying to tell.
Religion plays a substantial role in the story. There is a community preacher who spreads the word about how human communication is sinful, and that humans should not speak. Radio communication is an act against God, silence is next to godliness, and mankind should return to the ocean. His congregation is made up of both living and catatonic members, but everyone is silent, so we are unable to tell who has the condition. As Memphis and Cincinnati build a new communication tower to bring survivors to their community, some of the preacher’s warnings become reality: Memphis begins to suffer injuries that he cannot recover from. Months go by and the scab on his lip doesn’t heal. Then his hands become infected. Then things get worse. This seems like it could be an allegory, that there’s an underlying message about whether human communication is good or bad, but the book never makes it clear. Aren’t our communicative abilities a major part of what makes us human? If the book is arguing that sharing ideas is a bad thing, then shouldn’t this book never have been written?
The story becomes less and less clear towards the end. Plot developments veer into obscure territory. Survivors continue to fall victim to the condition. Memphis and Cincinnati experience some terrible ordeals, and the situation looks bleaker by the day. After some predictably terrible events ensue, the story just… ends. If there’s a lesson to be learned, I cannot say.
Hinton’s writing seems clearly influenced by the works of Cormac McCarthy: a dystopian atmosphere, desolate and rife with misery, delivered with a dry prose that intends to elicit emotion through its atmosphere. But the message of the story never comes into focus, and any semblance of understanding its intention becomes more bewildering by the story’s end. This is a short novel and it moves rather quickly, so if the above premise sounds interesting, then you might enjoy it. But it’s confusing resolution and its inability to present clear arguments left me wanting.
eARC provided by Edelweiss
2.75 / 5
March 27, 2019
The premise of Radio Dark is a good one, but the story lacked execution. The synopsis claims there is a resemblance to Cormac McCarthy, which couldn't be farther from the truth. It also states there is dark humor. There is no humor, dark or otherwise. The characters are flat and the dialogue is dull. This is a book I wouldn't recommend to anyone, unless you enjoy slogging through horrible writing. I am baffled by the lone 5 star review. This was a disappointing read.
August 4, 2019
An incredibly quick read that appears to pull in end-time tropes that are strangle similar to other brand spankin' new apocalyptic books like Wanderers and The Lightest Object in the Universe, while also recycling the whole cities-as-names thing from Zombieland.
For reasons that will remain unexplained to us, people suddenly fall into a catatonic state in which they do not require food or drink or tolieting (see: Wanderers) but are doll-like in their ability to be manipulated by their loved ones - led to walk, to be seated, to hold things. Among those who haven't immediately been affected, a radio station janitor named Memphis (see: Zombieland), one of the late night DJs, and an FCC field agent named Cinncinati (see: Zombieland again) all rise to the status of Main Character as they work together to keep an emergency radio broadcast running after the power goes out and the world begins to fall apart around them.
And how might they do that, you ask? Why, by building a homemade radio tower (see: Lightest Object) out of, uhm, the sick people. Because apparently we are great conductors for radio waves??? That part is actually pretty fricken awesome and begins to tip this novella right the heck into bizarro territory, which is A.O.K. in my book!
Oh yeah, and no end time story is complete without a whacko preacher/pastor/true believer (see: Wanderers and Lightest Object) spoiling the lets-work-together-to-rebuild party.
While it might sound like I'm harshing all over this thing, I really did enjoy it. It's not earth shattering, but it'll do. Really.
For reasons that will remain unexplained to us, people suddenly fall into a catatonic state in which they do not require food or drink or tolieting (see: Wanderers) but are doll-like in their ability to be manipulated by their loved ones - led to walk, to be seated, to hold things. Among those who haven't immediately been affected, a radio station janitor named Memphis (see: Zombieland), one of the late night DJs, and an FCC field agent named Cinncinati (see: Zombieland again) all rise to the status of Main Character as they work together to keep an emergency radio broadcast running after the power goes out and the world begins to fall apart around them.
And how might they do that, you ask? Why, by building a homemade radio tower (see: Lightest Object) out of, uhm, the sick people. Because apparently we are great conductors for radio waves??? That part is actually pretty fricken awesome and begins to tip this novella right the heck into bizarro territory, which is A.O.K. in my book!
Oh yeah, and no end time story is complete without a whacko preacher/pastor/true believer (see: Wanderers and Lightest Object) spoiling the lets-work-together-to-rebuild party.
While it might sound like I'm harshing all over this thing, I really did enjoy it. It's not earth shattering, but it'll do. Really.
February 28, 2019
This novella has a lot going on—a disease of unknown origin and cause, a zealous pastor, a radio tower made of catatonic bodies, packs of savage dogs, torrential rains, and yet that is not where the weakness of the story lies. In the Art of the Novel, E.M. Forest praises the novel for its singular ability to reveal the secrets of one's mind, access denied to us otherwise by virtue of not living in the head of another. So I am always perplexed when an author denies access to the thoughts of characters. Hinton gives us the story through close third-person POV of Memphis. I am not sure why as neither his personality nor actions provides an invaluable viewpoint of the apocalypse. Cincinnati and the DJ were much more compelling characters. Additionally, their skills were quite beneficial in this doomsday scenario. I wanted more from them—espcially Cincinnati whose attraction to Memphis was baffling and adds to the ever-growing list of underdeveloped female characters whose only use is as a prop for the male protagonist.
The weird elements create a cohesion that works against it. I understand the novel is weird, which I quite enjoyed. However, all of the elements had the same dimension. Nothing receded into the background or moved to the foreground. Everything got equal emphasis. There were a lot of biblical references (Tower of Babel, floods, plagues of Egypt, End Time prophesy) but none of it was engaged. It felt simply like a distortion of the Bible for the sake of it. There were exactly zero discussions about why this was occurring or how any felt about the new reality, so the novel was not exploring the endurance of the human spirit in the face of catastrophic ruination. The relationship between Memphis and Cincinnati also lacked lowlights and highlights; it simply was. This novel does not take a stance on anything and lacks the peaks and valleys necessary to show readers what it is that's important.
Hinton had a handful of very great lines. In places the prose revealed his ability to capture devastation and its numbing effect with keen sensitivity. But those parts could not save the novella from its blandness.
The weird elements create a cohesion that works against it. I understand the novel is weird, which I quite enjoyed. However, all of the elements had the same dimension. Nothing receded into the background or moved to the foreground. Everything got equal emphasis. There were a lot of biblical references (Tower of Babel, floods, plagues of Egypt, End Time prophesy) but none of it was engaged. It felt simply like a distortion of the Bible for the sake of it. There were exactly zero discussions about why this was occurring or how any felt about the new reality, so the novel was not exploring the endurance of the human spirit in the face of catastrophic ruination. The relationship between Memphis and Cincinnati also lacked lowlights and highlights; it simply was. This novel does not take a stance on anything and lacks the peaks and valleys necessary to show readers what it is that's important.
Hinton had a handful of very great lines. In places the prose revealed his ability to capture devastation and its numbing effect with keen sensitivity. But those parts could not save the novella from its blandness.
April 25, 2020
It's been a long time since I read an entire book in one sitting, but I blazed through Radio Dark in one sitting yesterday.
September 9, 2019
For a novel that's only 127 pages long, it was a bit of a slog to get through.
I will say that Shane Hinton has some pretty unique and memorable turns-of-phrase and imagery, and he really excels at the body horror and physical discomfort element of this story. But apart from that, the characters fell flat for me, especially our protagonist Memphis, who I honestly feel like I know next to nothing about. He felt like a bit of an underwhelming blank slate character.
Didn't love how Cinncinati basically stopped being a character as soon as she hooks up with Memphis (and that's another thing--there didn't seem to be any good reason for her to get with his crusty ass except for the desperation and lack of options of the apocalypse. That's probably it, but I'm just not a fan.)
Also, this book ended SO QUICKLY--if this was an intentional, thematic choice, it didn't really land for me, as it just cut off, straight-up ended in the middle of a scene.
Overall, I think this book just wasn't my vibe--the writing wasn't terribly engaging, the characters were practically nonexistent, and the pacing of the story failed to culminate in any kind of climax or conclusion to make the journey satisfying.
I will say that Shane Hinton has some pretty unique and memorable turns-of-phrase and imagery, and he really excels at the body horror and physical discomfort element of this story. But apart from that, the characters fell flat for me, especially our protagonist Memphis, who I honestly feel like I know next to nothing about. He felt like a bit of an underwhelming blank slate character.
Didn't love how Cinncinati basically stopped being a character as soon as she hooks up with Memphis (and that's another thing--there didn't seem to be any good reason for her to get with his crusty ass except for the desperation and lack of options of the apocalypse. That's probably it, but I'm just not a fan.)
Also, this book ended SO QUICKLY--if this was an intentional, thematic choice, it didn't really land for me, as it just cut off, straight-up ended in the middle of a scene.
Overall, I think this book just wasn't my vibe--the writing wasn't terribly engaging, the characters were practically nonexistent, and the pacing of the story failed to culminate in any kind of climax or conclusion to make the journey satisfying.
August 14, 2019
Radio Dark by Shane Hinton is a recommended quirky, dark, weird apocalyptic story.
Memphis is a custodian at a radio station in Florida when the apocalypse begins. In this end of the world scenario people fall inexplicably into a catatonic state where they require neither food nor water but they can be led around and posed. There is a DJ at the station who is still broadcasting and a local preacher who has a regular show when Cincinnati, an FCC field agent, visits the station with her procedure manual to enact emergency measures to keep the station on the air. As the power grid fails, Cincinnati's solution to keeping the station on the air and broadcasting to any survivors, is to build a tower of catatonic people (they are great conductors).
While there are a few comical incidences, there is no doubt that this is a weird, dark, bleak, odd story. Memphis is the narrator, but he is just relates the events without emotion or personality. It is never revealed why the plague occurred, though the preacher blames it on the radio waves, on all the noise. There is also no resolution to the plot. In some ways I feel as if I need to reread it in order to unearth any allegorical connections or references that I may have missed or some conclusion that slipped by me.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Burrow Press.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2019/0...
March 11, 2019
This novella is very reminiscent of Coramc McCarthy’s The Road.
The next great plague is sweeping the United States. People are falling into catatonic states but can ambulate if led. They appear to have no need to eat or drink but with sync their breathing and heart rates with other afflicted if placed close together.
Memphis, a janitor at a local radio station and Cincinnati, an agent from the FCC find themselves thrown together at the radio station when “The End” comes. They work together, following the instructions given to Cincinnati to draw survivors together.
There is a religious sect that seems to know of the coming plague and welcome it. The members of the religious group and it’s pastor oppose what Memphis and Cincinnati are doing but take no overt action to stop them.
It is unclear if the medical staff is afflicted by some form of pre-cursor mental illness or if there are symptoms of mental illness that frames the questions that are asked.
The story itself is bizarre. Like McCarthy’s work, there is no explanation for what has caused the plague and no real resolution. There is no “They lived happily ever after”, as a matter of fact, there isn’t even “They lived”.
Thank you to edelweiss for the eArc in exchange for my honest review.
The next great plague is sweeping the United States. People are falling into catatonic states but can ambulate if led. They appear to have no need to eat or drink but with sync their breathing and heart rates with other afflicted if placed close together.
Memphis, a janitor at a local radio station and Cincinnati, an agent from the FCC find themselves thrown together at the radio station when “The End” comes. They work together, following the instructions given to Cincinnati to draw survivors together.
There is a religious sect that seems to know of the coming plague and welcome it. The members of the religious group and it’s pastor oppose what Memphis and Cincinnati are doing but take no overt action to stop them.
It is unclear if the medical staff is afflicted by some form of pre-cursor mental illness or if there are symptoms of mental illness that frames the questions that are asked.
The story itself is bizarre. Like McCarthy’s work, there is no explanation for what has caused the plague and no real resolution. There is no “They lived happily ever after”, as a matter of fact, there isn’t even “They lived”.
Thank you to edelweiss for the eArc in exchange for my honest review.
August 19, 2019
As a fan of a dystopian story, Radio Dark is far different from what I usually found and read, and I can't say that I completely enjoyed it. The premise was very promising, let me tell you. I expected a lot from 'the janitor, the agent and the DJ' squad, but none of them fulfilled. Both the characters and the plot were incredibly flat for my taste, and Hinton's writing style was not helping. I'm not saying it's a bad narrative, but I don't find it particularly suitable for this genre as I'm looking for more action and dynamic, and Hinton delivered something calmer and slower instead.
Thank you Burrow Press and Edelweiss+ for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Blog | Twitter | Instagram | RedBubble
Thank you Burrow Press and Edelweiss+ for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Blog | Twitter | Instagram | RedBubble
March 5, 2019
WOW. Wow. Wow. This is easily one of the best reads I've experienced in 2019 so far. Shane Hinton's sparse, atmospheric prose in this tightly packaged novel reminded me of slightly more extended versions of some of Kristen Roupenian and Carmen Maria Machado's short stories. He shares Roupenian and Machado's ability to conjure stealthy dystopia and define a sharp-edged line between reality and the dull insanity that lurks just beneath the universe his characters inhabit. I am so completely impressed by this novel. I found it reminiscent of two of my favorite books, as well: Stephen King's The Stand and Emily St. John Mandel's Station Eleven. There is something that I find so compelling about a well-written and disturbingly realistic post-apocalyptic novel, and Hinton delivers this, along with taut social commentary, with astounding ease.
January 1, 2020
My low rating of this book doesn't reflect the author's talent, but more the fact that I didn't really like the very dark, post-modern, "our society is rotten to the core" apocalyptic message. Then I suppose you have to wonder why I bought the book. But it came with a set up other books from Burrow Press, which always offers very edgy reads from talented writers. Sometimes I love the books, sometimes not so much. Hinton has a gift for writing that draws you in and sort of repels you at the same time, and his dark humor could be really appealing to some. A talented writer, but this book just wasn't my thing.
October 16, 2025
Radio Dark is a stellar follow-up to his collection Pinkies. Shane writes so succinct it might leave a reader wanting, but it's all there on the page already.
I'm sorry it took me so long to read it, but it was well worth the wait. Radio Dark might feel unrelenting and bleak, but it rolls along the back of ache, which means there's still something left to feel.
I'm sorry it took me so long to read it, but it was well worth the wait. Radio Dark might feel unrelenting and bleak, but it rolls along the back of ache, which means there's still something left to feel.
February 22, 2020
A short, entertaining piece of post-apocalyptic future. More literary than literal, its characters behave in strange and unexpected ways, but that is, perhaps, part of the charm. Recommended for fans of post-apocalyptic fiction and surreal narratives.
April 4, 2020
What a wild and absurd tale. Told with cutting and whip-smart language, this is a book that will linger long after the read. My main complaint, if I had one, is that I wished it went on a little longer; I wanted a bit more, ultimately. But, you'll never look at radio towers the same way again.
May 18, 2019
I review this book in the July 2019 issue of Locus.
August 24, 2019
Florida flavored zombie apocalypse or just a wee darker twist on life in the subtropics, land of the losers and dreamers and those who prey on them.
July 22, 2021
This was a very odd duck but a fun quick read.
June 21, 2025
Next pandemic hits and creates locked in syndrome which a plucky FCC inspector creates the biggest human transmitter.
October 7, 2025
1.5, this is what I get for picking up a random book at the library
December 20, 2019
It is what it is
I picked up this book and couldn't put it down, it's very surreal and refreshingly descriptive of those unique gross things that we all do when noone sees us, although I really liked this book the ending was very abrupt and left me wanting more answers hopefully there's a sequel
I picked up this book and couldn't put it down, it's very surreal and refreshingly descriptive of those unique gross things that we all do when noone sees us, although I really liked this book the ending was very abrupt and left me wanting more answers hopefully there's a sequel
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews