Dying of a Light

By: David F. Smith

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

In "Dying of a Light," DF Smith skillfully captures the raw essence and complex mindset of the Jersey City Street Ecosystem as well as the HBCU life at Crunkton University during the early 1990s. Through this thought-provoking narrative, Smith provides captivating insights into the sociocultural dynamics that transformed college students into both powerful figures and tragic victims, leading to their eventual demise and incarceration.

Our protagonist, Diamond Palladium, serves as the narrator of this perilous journey, a tale that may resonate with some, remains known to only a few, yet has remained untold until now. The story commences in the early seventies, with Palladium being born into a world consumed by chaos, only to be rescued by the unwavering strength of a resilient Black woman. Palladium embarks on an odyssey that is inherently influenced by his genetic makeup, but conflicts with the moral teachings instilled within him at home.

This riveting narrative exposes the reader to the harsh realities of life-threatening situations and the inevitable loss of life, offering a unique perspective on the experiences young adults face once they depart from the comforts of their parents' care. With meticulous attention to detail and an unforgettable writing style, Smith masterfully weaves a novel that uncovers a seldom-witnessed aspect of young urban culture. Moreover, he provides a provocative portrayal of the unspoken connections that bind men and women of color in a society marked by silence.

Confusing

This book was all over the place. I could hardly follow or even figure out the direction or the storyline. Seems like a lot of irrelevant information that really had no support to the overall book.