Journey In The Dark

JOURNEY IN THE DARK
by Martin Flavin

 Award: Pulitzer 1944

 Date Read: March 2, 2019

 I thoroughly adored this novel by Martin Flavin, savoring the glimpse it provided into a past world that is long gone by and yet startlingly familiar. Sam Braden, being raised by a ne'er-do-well father, sets his sights on the wealthy family in town, the Wyatts, as an example of what he wants so desperately to attain - wealth, influence, respect. And attain he does.

 Braden achieves wealth beyond his wildest dreams and eventually weds the woman he had pined for his entire life, Eileen Wyatt. I felt that while Braden was working so hard at his business affairs, he failed to carve out a life for himself that was ultimately worth living. His marriage to Eileen is never one of passion, depth or feeling and it was a relief when it ended - for the reader and for Sam. His relationship to his siblings is more fatherly than brotherly and all of them turn out to be ne'er-do-wells like their father. Sam's relationship to his son, through his marriage to Emily Kranz, is strained and awkward and lacks basic understanding. He fails to foster deep friendships as most of Wyattville either fear, envy or loathe him. 

 The writing of this novel is superb and allows the reader to fully immerse themselves in this world. Ultimately, Journey in the Dark is a cautionary tale that money can't buy happiness. 

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