SubscribeSam Roy is a broken man. But what caused him to break? Was it his time as a soldier in the Iraq War? Or was that experience just the last straw in a life full of trauma? Mark B. Pickering’s book, Story Of The Sand, chronicles the events of Roy’s post-war life, while looking back on the things that brought him to his current place. And that place is by no means a good one. The book’s opening finds Sam living in solemn desperation, in a tent in the wilderness. He only ventures out into the world when it’s absolutely necessary. Usually, to get the alcoholic comfort he needs to calm his frazzled nerves. During one of these excursions, he winds up robbing a store after the store’s owner (a man who proudly displays an autographed photo of George W. Bush, and has no idea that Sam is a war veteran) tries to shortchange Sam, saying he’s charging Sam for the privilege of patronizing his establishment. Sam snaps, robs the place, and on his way out, he takes a knife to a Hummer belonging to the store owner’s son. He knows he’s done something wrong, but he can’t help himself. That’s just the beginning of the roller coaster that becomes Sam’s life in the coming months. Story Of The Sand follows Sam through abusive sexual relationships, failing V.A. treatment centers, fractured families and at least one near-death experience. Things do cheer up, if only a little, towards the story’s end. But even those good times are stifled by Sam’s inescapable bad luck.
Story Of The Sand is a study in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. And in spite of the book’s title, its characters are suffering from more than just war wounds. Sam, and nearly everyone he encounters, are struggling with unresolved issues due to sexual abuse, familial conflicts and other life tensions. I found myself finishing several chapters in this book thinking, “How could things get any worse?” And the following chapters would show exactly how. Overall, Story Of The Sand is an entertaining read. I even found myself caring about some of the book’s damaged characters. But it can be difficult to get through at points. In the end, if you like your stories full of gritty reality, you’ll probably enjoy this book. If you’re looking for a story that wraps itself up in a neat, happy ending, you’ll want to look elsewhere.
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