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Walk Through Darkness
When he learns that his pregnant wife has been spirited off to a distant city, William responds as any man might—he drops everything to pursue her. But as a fugitive slave in Antebellum America, he must run a terrifying gauntlet, eluding the many who would re-enslave him while learning to trust the few who dare to aid him on his quest.
Among those hunting William is Morrison, a Scot who as a young man fled the miseries of his homeland only to discover even more brutal realities in the New World. Bearing many scars, including the loss of his beloved brother, Morrison tracks William for reasons of his own, a personal agenda rooted in tragic events that have haunted him for decades.
Following up on his award-winning debut, Gabriel’s Story , David Anthony Durham presents another riveting tale, a brilliantly drawn portrait of America before the Civil War, and a provocative meditation on racial identity, freedom and equality.
Among those hunting William is Morrison, a Scot who as a young man fled the miseries of his homeland only to discover even more brutal realities in the New World. Bearing many scars, including the loss of his beloved brother, Morrison tracks William for reasons of his own, a personal agenda rooted in tragic events that have haunted him for decades.
Following up on his award-winning debut, Gabriel’s Story , David Anthony Durham presents another riveting tale, a brilliantly drawn portrait of America before the Civil War, and a provocative meditation on racial identity, freedom and equality.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
8 people are currently reading
219 people want to read
About the author
David Anthony Durham
32 books600 followersDavid Anthony Durham was born in New York City to parents of Caribbean descent. He grew up mostly in Maryland, but has spent the last fifteen years on the move, jumping from East to West Coast to the Rocky Mountains, and back and forth to Scotland and France several times. He currently lives in Edinburgh, Scotland. Or... actually, no he doesn't. He's back in New England at the moment.
He is the author of a trilogy of fantasy novels set in Acacia: The Sacred Band, The Other Lands, and The War With The Mein, as well as the historical novels The Risen, Pride of Carthage, Walk Through Darkness, and Gabriel’s Story. He’s won the John W Campbell Award for Best New Writer, a Legacy Award, was a Finalist for the Prix Imaginales and has twice had his books named NY Times Notable Book of the year. His novels have been published in the UK and in French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish and Swedish. Three of his novels have been optioned for development as feature films.
David received an M.F.A. in creative writing from the University of Maryland. He has taught at the University of Maryland, the University of Massachusetts, The Colorado College, for the Zora Neale Hurston/Richard Wright Foundation, Cal State University, and at Hampshire College. He's currently on the faculty of the Stonecoast MFA Program. He reviews for The Washington Post and The Raleigh News & Observer, and has served as a judge for the Pen/Faulkner Awards.
He also writes in George RR Martin's weird and wonderful Wild Cards universe. He feels like the process makes him exercise a whole new set of creative muscles, and he loves the feeling.
He is the author of a trilogy of fantasy novels set in Acacia: The Sacred Band, The Other Lands, and The War With The Mein, as well as the historical novels The Risen, Pride of Carthage, Walk Through Darkness, and Gabriel’s Story. He’s won the John W Campbell Award for Best New Writer, a Legacy Award, was a Finalist for the Prix Imaginales and has twice had his books named NY Times Notable Book of the year. His novels have been published in the UK and in French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish and Swedish. Three of his novels have been optioned for development as feature films.
David received an M.F.A. in creative writing from the University of Maryland. He has taught at the University of Maryland, the University of Massachusetts, The Colorado College, for the Zora Neale Hurston/Richard Wright Foundation, Cal State University, and at Hampshire College. He's currently on the faculty of the Stonecoast MFA Program. He reviews for The Washington Post and The Raleigh News & Observer, and has served as a judge for the Pen/Faulkner Awards.
He also writes in George RR Martin's weird and wonderful Wild Cards universe. He feels like the process makes him exercise a whole new set of creative muscles, and he loves the feeling.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 11, 2008
It was a good read though maybe 4 stars was more than I think it deserved. Somewhere in between 3 and 4 was more like it. The story of a runaway slave featured more brutality to the main protagonist than I like in my stories but I guess the life of a slave was one of constant brutality. Although the historical fiction quality of the story lends itself to factual events (the authors says he draws from stories of actual slave narratives and runaway records) the slaves "Saviour" seems be a highly unlikely personage in my view. After all the vicious brutality the ending seems a little too happy hollywood and fanciful for me but overall these are minor quibbles. I enjoyed the book.
September 4, 2008
Is it nature of historical novels to rely on huge chunks of exposition? If you are blindly devoted to the "show don't tell" school of writing, then skip this book. You won't have the patience for the occasionally clunky swathes of exposition.
For the rest of you, this is an excellent quest set in antebellum America. William, a twenty year old slave, finds out his wife Dover is pregnant. Dover is in Philadelphia; while still a slave, she lives in one of the states where slavery is no longer legal. In love, longing for family and connection, William slips away one night. The distance between Maryland and Pennsylvania is huge and full of obstacles for a slave on the run, and William comes up against each and every one.
Where there are runaway slaves, there are trackers, and among those tracking William is Morrison, an immigrant with a violent history. It didn't take me long to see Morrison's connection to William; the story alternates between his and William's journey, and while Morrison is not exactly forthcoming, his motives become clearer with each brief section.
Hmm...in some ways this reminded me of The Keep, just in terms of the narrative structure and the pacing. I was also really impressed by Durham's characterizations; William is so much more than "slave." He's an impulsive twenty-year-old boy, a mess of conflicting emotions and yet very much a product of his time. Morrison and Dover are distinct secondary characters, and even the minor characters who help/try to destroy William along the way are memorable.
Also, much of the novel seemed to speak to the present. I don't know quite how to explain this. The most obvious way is the scene that reminded me of current methods of interrogating suspected terrorists. But the connection I'm talking about is much more subtle than that.
Why four stars instead of five? I did find some of the writing a little mannered, some of the exposition a little long-winded. But I read the whole book. I rarely read fiction during the school year, so I consider it a mark of the writing and the story that I was able to finish the novel and enjoy it so much.
For the rest of you, this is an excellent quest set in antebellum America. William, a twenty year old slave, finds out his wife Dover is pregnant. Dover is in Philadelphia; while still a slave, she lives in one of the states where slavery is no longer legal. In love, longing for family and connection, William slips away one night. The distance between Maryland and Pennsylvania is huge and full of obstacles for a slave on the run, and William comes up against each and every one.
Where there are runaway slaves, there are trackers, and among those tracking William is Morrison, an immigrant with a violent history. It didn't take me long to see Morrison's connection to William; the story alternates between his and William's journey, and while Morrison is not exactly forthcoming, his motives become clearer with each brief section.
Hmm...in some ways this reminded me of The Keep, just in terms of the narrative structure and the pacing. I was also really impressed by Durham's characterizations; William is so much more than "slave." He's an impulsive twenty-year-old boy, a mess of conflicting emotions and yet very much a product of his time. Morrison and Dover are distinct secondary characters, and even the minor characters who help/try to destroy William along the way are memorable.
Also, much of the novel seemed to speak to the present. I don't know quite how to explain this. The most obvious way is the scene that reminded me of current methods of interrogating suspected terrorists. But the connection I'm talking about is much more subtle than that.
Why four stars instead of five? I did find some of the writing a little mannered, some of the exposition a little long-winded. But I read the whole book. I rarely read fiction during the school year, so I consider it a mark of the writing and the story that I was able to finish the novel and enjoy it so much.
August 7, 2009
I read this in 2 days. It's one of the most beautifully written books I've read in a while, a dark story of a runaway slave and the white man who's tracking him for distinctive reasons that are revealed through hints gradually throughout the book.
January 4, 2011
This book was about a slave being hunted by a man hired to find him. The story was true to the time when slaves were sold and beaten. I was shocked to read how colored people were treated, but suprised by the ending. Would recommend reading this one.
September 7, 2021
I don't typically read slavery narratives. They're necessary and important, but not for me. I've read enough about the trauma my ancestors went through. I've seen enough of the trauma my contemporaries go through. At current, I don't need to revisit that space. Yet, ironically, "Walk Through Darkness" is the second slavery take I've read in the last three weeks.
I picked up this book at the suggestion of my professor who said its his favorite of David Anthony Durham's work. And it's not hard to see why. The writing ranges from beautiful to insightful to clever. The action starts early, by the end of the first chapter, William is already on his way in search of his love, Dover. The dramatic tension of horrific violence, slave catchers, betrayal, and just the price of physical exhaustion and disease all add credence to a question that William, from time to time, asks, "How much can a man take?" This is a book that can be read in a couple of days or a couple of weeks because the writing is so compelling and detailed that you may want to devour it or take it in piecemeal and savor the varied undercurrents and flavors.
For my taste, there were passages that felt long-winded. I had to fight the urge to skip ahead. A device that came across as a little contrived was when the story would stall because a character couldn't bring themselves to speak. I think the third instance of this was when that reaction to a tense moment began to wear thin. Morrison and the captain who gets William to Delaware felt like the same person. There were two scenes of heroism from Morrison that were resolved happily mostly, it seemed, because the pursuers were terrible shots. The villains were truly villainous in an almost one-note kind of way. Not a redeeming quality amongst any of them which left them a little flat. And, finally, I wish there was a little more humor, not to make the subject matter more digestible, the opposite actually. To provide a contrast to all of the horrid events. Moving from rape to torture to capture to beatings to murder to rape to torture without the occasional lightness to contour this darkness would have been a real slog if not for the fact that Durham is an incredible writer and guides you through it all with a deft hand. Maybe that's why the ending almost--but only almost--felt too happy. There were few hints of such a thing being possible in this story during the prior pages.
Four stars feels about right.
I picked up this book at the suggestion of my professor who said its his favorite of David Anthony Durham's work. And it's not hard to see why. The writing ranges from beautiful to insightful to clever. The action starts early, by the end of the first chapter, William is already on his way in search of his love, Dover. The dramatic tension of horrific violence, slave catchers, betrayal, and just the price of physical exhaustion and disease all add credence to a question that William, from time to time, asks, "How much can a man take?" This is a book that can be read in a couple of days or a couple of weeks because the writing is so compelling and detailed that you may want to devour it or take it in piecemeal and savor the varied undercurrents and flavors.
For my taste, there were passages that felt long-winded. I had to fight the urge to skip ahead. A device that came across as a little contrived was when the story would stall because a character couldn't bring themselves to speak. I think the third instance of this was when that reaction to a tense moment began to wear thin. Morrison and the captain who gets William to Delaware felt like the same person. There were two scenes of heroism from Morrison that were resolved happily mostly, it seemed, because the pursuers were terrible shots. The villains were truly villainous in an almost one-note kind of way. Not a redeeming quality amongst any of them which left them a little flat. And, finally, I wish there was a little more humor, not to make the subject matter more digestible, the opposite actually. To provide a contrast to all of the horrid events. Moving from rape to torture to capture to beatings to murder to rape to torture without the occasional lightness to contour this darkness would have been a real slog if not for the fact that Durham is an incredible writer and guides you through it all with a deft hand. Maybe that's why the ending almost--but only almost--felt too happy. There were few hints of such a thing being possible in this story during the prior pages.
Four stars feels about right.
January 15, 2019
Timely Message
In today's world this book should be required reading for everyone in America. A soulful measure of America's worth. Thank you Mr. Durham.
In today's world this book should be required reading for everyone in America. A soulful measure of America's worth. Thank you Mr. Durham.
February 9, 2020
The author really made you connect with the characters. I felt a part of the scene....like a silent observer while I was reading.
February 20, 2024
An escaped slave story with an interesting twist.
Read
July 10, 2016I've had a personally inscribed copy of this on my shelf for, sad to say, almost four years now and finally got to it.
It's quite good (which is what we should expect from David). I liked William's story, although I found the smaller sections that follow Morrison to be more engaging in most cases, and were produced with a more dramatic tightness and a better economy of words. William's sections have a lot of emotional impact, but they often drift into a style of summary and description when I would have liked to see more dialog and/or action. But that hardly hurt the book.
It's almost something of a cross between a modernized slave narrative and a thriller, with good suspense and character. There were only a couple slightly off-putting things. One that I'll mention concerns character. While the slaves, the free blacks, the abolitionists, and the non-slave holding whites are generally written as realistic and complex characters, slave owners and their willing hired hands are pretty much two-dimensionally evil (excepting William's off-stage first master). This gives the sections with Humboldt, et al., at center stage the feel of verging on a diatribe. But they don't quite fall over the edge.
As a matter of taste, I think the connection between William and Morrison might have been telegraphed too early, and diluted much potential suspense. And, one anachronism flag that I can't help but note: there are at least two references to Boysenberries, which are a cross-breeding creation of the 1920s (the book is set in the 1850s).
It's a nice one. A quick read, an emotional story, and a more-or-less happy ending.
I recommend it.
Disclaimer: I know David slightly, as he teaches in the grad program where I got my MFA. He was never an instructor of mine, but we've talked on several occasions then and in the years since (most recently less than a month before I picked this up). Congratulations to him on just winning the Campbell award, too.
It's quite good (which is what we should expect from David). I liked William's story, although I found the smaller sections that follow Morrison to be more engaging in most cases, and were produced with a more dramatic tightness and a better economy of words. William's sections have a lot of emotional impact, but they often drift into a style of summary and description when I would have liked to see more dialog and/or action. But that hardly hurt the book.
It's almost something of a cross between a modernized slave narrative and a thriller, with good suspense and character. There were only a couple slightly off-putting things. One that I'll mention concerns character. While the slaves, the free blacks, the abolitionists, and the non-slave holding whites are generally written as realistic and complex characters, slave owners and their willing hired hands are pretty much two-dimensionally evil (excepting William's off-stage first master). This gives the sections with Humboldt, et al., at center stage the feel of verging on a diatribe. But they don't quite fall over the edge.
As a matter of taste, I think the connection between William and Morrison might have been telegraphed too early, and diluted much potential suspense. And, one anachronism flag that I can't help but note: there are at least two references to Boysenberries, which are a cross-breeding creation of the 1920s (the book is set in the 1850s).
It's a nice one. A quick read, an emotional story, and a more-or-less happy ending.
I recommend it.
Disclaimer: I know David slightly, as he teaches in the grad program where I got my MFA. He was never an instructor of mine, but we've talked on several occasions then and in the years since (most recently less than a month before I picked this up). Congratulations to him on just winning the Campbell award, too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2016
Can I say that I am in love with David Anthony Durham? Well not in love with him personally but his writing. This author is superb. Everything I pick up of his is excellent and magical. This title was no different. The story is about a slave named William who runs away to be with his woman Dover who is pregnant with his child. The horrors he encounters along the way held me in suspense. I had strong feelings of fear for this character while reading which made me stop reading it at some points. I felt like I couldn't take it. How did William take it? The other half of the story is about Morrison, the tracker sent by William's master to get William back. Morrison has his own tale of woe and describes how the white man dealt with slavery. There is another story in between the stories of these two characters which makes this book an extra special read. The words, descriptions and statements are well written and lyrical in a sense. This is good writing that must be read slowly and appreciated. This is not something you can rush through. I also liked this book because of the questions William asked while he was trying to get to Dover, how much can a man take? I asked those questions and many more while reading this book. The ending was intriguing and will make the reader think about these characters long after.
October 17, 2009
The story of a runaway slave, running to the woman he love, and the man tracking him. Very griping and very interesting. Set around the Chesapeake. A traditional Cain and Abel story. Shocking turns and surprising reveals. I won't spoil it. It was a good read.
May 10, 2010
A beautifully written story of family, love, and redemption that deeply explores the ugly, complicated roots of racism in this country and also leaves you with a sense of hope. Rich with detail and good characterization. Recommended.
September 2, 2010
This book was really two stories in one - a young man escaping slavery in the south and the life of the man pursuing him. This tale portrays the brutal ugliness of slavery in all it's many aspects, but I just had to keep reading to find out what would happen to William, the young black man.
December 24, 2012
Good book. Nothing spectacular or mind blowing but an all around good read. I liked the fact that the book is told from two character's perspectives and how the author conveys their emotions, there is some powerful stuff in here.
Read
July 16, 2009An interesting novel about a slave escape and an Irish immigrant and the unlikely relationship that binds them.
May 17, 2010
gorgeous and haunting. filled me with resilience.
November 20, 2013
Snooze-fest. Really solid idea for a book - If I just read a synopsis I'd be sure this would be a book that I would enjoy, but the actual writing is not at all captivating
January 27, 2014
Very good historical fiction about a runaway slave. I would recommend it!
August 3, 2014
This book is a page turner
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews