Perpetual Gloom by Shelah A. Johnson

The start of an epic saga of one American family, Perpetual Gloom by Shelah A. Johnson is a vivid portrait of Depression-era history, and the launch pad for The Boloney Trail trilogy.

Detailing the struggles of the Hornbeck family as they navigate treacherous years of poverty and desperation, JC and Martha are the family’s resilient backbone, while Monroe and Wyatt are the wily young ones learning the meaning of survival. From Arkansas, Louisiana, and Denver to Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, the interwoven stories of these characters are snapshots of wandering lifestyles and the sheer willpower to keep going. Peppered with unexpected encounters, crimes, cowboys, and backcountry fantasies, this narrative captures the pace and tone of a grim, yet defining, era of American history.

Johnson excels at weaving together rich historical detail, along with immersive colloquial dialogue that never seems to slip, even as it shifts between different regions of America. The familial relationships, particularly between JC and Monroe, feel vibrant and authentic, while the undertone of philosophical questions about the Great Depression drives the plot and characters forward.

From an editorial standpoint, there are definite improvements needed, from grammatical errors and basic spelling mistakes (“through” vs “threw,” “tuck” vs “truck”) to unclear plot points and tense mismatches. However, despite the need for a final edit, the visceral story and three-dimensional characters make this novel a thoroughly compelling and thought-provoking portrait of the past.

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