On a Darkling Plain

by: R.P. Burnham

Published by: The Wessex Collective

Reviewed by Mayra Calvani

The literary fiction novel opens with a shocking scene: In the small town of Waska, Maine, retired professor Samuel Jellerson, while walking in the woods one day, witnesses an despicable act--a priest sexually abusing a young boy.

Jellerson thinks he recognizes the priest, but instead of notifying the authorities right away, a heavy cloud of confusion and denial falls over him, preventing him from taking action.

Within that month Jellerson decides to confront the priest and contact the police. Rumors spread quickly in a small town and soon everybody is talking about it. What compels a priest to abuse a boy? What impels a good man to keep silence? How will the boy, a musical genius, cope with such evil atrocity? How does society respond to this--with kindness and understanding, or with even worse cruelty?

On a Darkling Plain is a serious, carefully crafted, compelling novel about the dark, destructive side of human relationships, especially those between father and son. The novel also offers a tragic, almost comical view of the role of the law in society. The most interesting thing about this novel, however, is the way the author uses the priest/boy conflict to address the "real" conflict in the nove--Jellerson's painful relationship with his son, a son he has never been able to understand nor express his affection to. In this sense, and in spite of what may appear like religious overtones, the priest and boy become a metaphor for what really lies beneath. The story's subtle layers make it ideal for book clubs and group discussions. It is important to note that, in spite of its sensitive topic, there's nothing explicit in the writing that will offend readers.

Burnham's love for writing shows in each sentence. True to his style, he relies mostly on narration, depth of theme and deft characterization to bring his story across.

As in his previous novel, Burnham seems to have an inkling for controversial themes, which he handles excellently well. I highly recommend.

Armchair Interviews says: For the serious reader, On a Darkling Plain is a most rewarding and insightful read.