Into Dark Corridors: A Tale of Hands, Heart, and Home

by Constance Hood

INTO DARK A Tale of Hands, Heart, and HomeSometimes life presents something so large, so outrageous, that it ends up changing everything. What in the world drove a single mother to bulldoze a canyon, cut a house in half, and tow it to a new location? Catastrophes and miracles shaped the future of an old house and a renewed family. Into Dark A Tale of Hands, Heart, and Home is the story of a dream realized, and the struggles to make it real.

281 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 2, 2021

Reviews

[Bill Weeks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wandered Into Dark Corridors: A Tale of Hands, Heart, and Home and gained deeper insights about what places mean to us. This book details an epic struggle of a single mother facing the challenge of splitting a Craftsman home in two, hauling it up a hill, restoring it, and fighting “City Hell” as well. In it we experience all the trials and tribulations, love and betrayal, triumphs and tragedies that life presents. The author writes, “My house looked like a ruffian with missing teeth, punched out in a brawl.” Repairing this home and reconstructing a family proved to be a great experience.

[Lynn Jaeger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever wondered why that abandoned house in your neighborhood is sitting vacant, decaying more and more each day, being swallowed up by the overgrown vegetation? Wondered who used to live there, why did they leave? I have always been fascinated by old abandon homes and this book hit the spot. Connie tells the tale of that neighborhood abandon home that was lovingly built back in the day, how it won her heart and set her on a journey to salvage and rescue what was once an elegant home. Through unimaginable odds (securing money/loans, fighting vandalism/gangs, full time career, single mother, state government/City "Hell", permits and contractors), Connie tells the "real" story about moving and restoring a grand home. Through tears, frustration, shear determination, joy and love, Connie's tale is a page turner. The addition of photos to the book and the videos on her website give visual credence to why she fell in love with this home. I only wish I could have seen the home in person for myself.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is one that is popular today – an old house reborn to its former glory. But this story happened before that was fashionable. This story changed the lives of each person who came in contact with the house. This story is filled with humanness and tenderness most of us hide.
By the time I finished this book, I was emotionally spent. Writing this book must have been a cathartic experience. The author courageously tells the story of facing tremendous challenges while learning about herself, true commitment, and finishing well. The flawed characters, all the more so enduring for the honesty, wit, and raw candor shared, become close friends to the reader. I found myself sharing the triumphs and frustrations with each new encounter faced as I was drawn into the deeper story of truth, human triumph over adversity, deep love, and hope.
Reading this book will change the way you think about approaching challenges. You will be inspired to attempt the impossible.

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Into Dark Corridors, the newest book by Constance Hood, gripped me from the beginning and sent me on a transformative journey. I watched from the sidelines as a decrepit, lonely 1909 house lay in utter disrepair and delightfully transformed before my eyes into a refurbished, stunning home replete with all its hidden treasures awakened and revived.

The author’s steadfastness to complete this project despite insurmountable odds was inspiring and truly admirable despite all the personal and financial setbacks she encountered.

Moving a large home through a canyon is an astonishing feat. Not many would even entertain this as doable. Having successfully done so is an extraordinary act of achievement and determination.

Into Dark Corridors, is a fabulous read which will grab your interest from the start and keep you fascinated well after the last page is read.

[Gina Jaeger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down once I started….it is an incredible story of human perseverance and strength in the face of many adversities. Although the house is the central character of this great story, it is only so because of those, particularly Connie, who saved her. Without their dedication and love for the house, there would be no story. And ultimately, the house’s gift to Connie and those in her life, is a strong family and love. This is much more than a home renovation story….it is about family and love, and particularly great personal strength. Highly recommend this fabulous story!

[Tracey Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

This terrifying journey of finding a home, moving it to a new location and then restoring it to live-in condition kept me turning pages until the very end. Gives meaning to the phrase, "Home is where the heart is."

[Bruce Luyendyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many of us know that feeling when presented with an opportunity that could go very, very wrong, we shut off those feelings and jump in hoping it doesn’t end up jumping overboard. That is this story. A vision of a possible future overtakes the family in this book, in particular the mother of a toddler (author). This is a tale of daunting challenges, some predicted, some unknown curveballs, that faced the author, her extended family, and new-found friends as they took on the mind-bending task of moving an eighty-year-old house—up a hill, to renovate and live in. Not knowing the first thing about moving a house, or doing a bottom-to-top renovation and restoration, every page was a lesson for me told with detail, humor, and love. Many readers have dealt with bureaucracy in their lives but this story shows how tough it can get. The setting is late-twentieth-century Los Angles, but it could have taken place anywhere; the story is universal. The characters are sharply drawn and reveal the hidden knowledge and strengths we all have when the chips are down. The narrative arc is solid and is marked by several poignant events that are truly heartwarming. Serendipity, resilience, and good humor all play a role in the tale of this mammoth project and the resolution is bittersweet. Bravo!