The End of Marking Time by C.J. West

The End of Marking Time by C.J. WestTo be effective the punishment has to be so severe as to be frightening, ten times more frightening than whatever else is driving your actions. Citizens can’t abide that level of punishment, and I understand now why the secret has been so well guarded. – Michael O’Connor

Ever imagine what would happen if all the people in prison were released at the same time? Author C.J. West has, and his latest novel, The End of Marking Time, is a look at just such a scenario.

Michael O’Connor ended up alone on the streets at age 15 and turned to a life of burglary in order to keep himself fed. He became quite skilled at his chosen profession, and was careful to never commit a violent crime. After unknowingly stealing from the home of the District Attorney, however, Michael’s luck runs out. He’s arrested, tried and convicted, and sentenced to prison.

During the course of a breakout by a fellow prisoner during their transportation to prison Michael is shot in the head. When he comes out of the resulting coma four years later the world is a very different place.

Shortly after Michael entered his coma the Supreme Court declared long term incarceration to be cruel and unusual punishment. As a result, two million felons were released. Not just left to run wild the relearners, as they are called, are monitored 24/7 via a chip implanted in their heads and an electronic ankle bracelet. Additionally, they must complete an individually tailored education program before they will be deemed reeducated and released from monitoring. Sounds straightforward and relatively benign, right? Not so fast.

As Michael quickly learns, there is more going on in the reeducation programs than the public has been led to believe. The relearners’ programs are administered via a black box connected to their TVs, one that has the capability of administering electric shocks. Further, some of the programs’ instructors aren’t above extorting favors from the relearners in exchange for assurance of good performance results. Refusal results in the lessons increasing to an almost impossible level of difficulty and no hope of ever graduating.

Additionally, in exchange for their “freedom” relearners have lost all rights. Should they be arrested for a subsequent offense there is no jury trial, no presumption of innocence, no appeal. If they’re lucky, they are returned to their program for a second chance. If they’re unlucky – or have already blown their second chance – they get sent to one of the last ditch reeducation programs… programs from which no one ever graduates because, as Michael discovers, relearners sent to those programs are subjected to experimentation and torture so severe that if it doesn’t kill them outright the person eventually goes insane and commits suicide.

Told by Michael in the first person in the form of a speech – a plea, really – he’s delivering to an unseen panel he believes has the power to set him free, The End of Marking Time is a fascinating look at a dystopian future in which the public is willing to turn a blind eye to the methods by which criminals are controlled in exchange for a virtually crime free society.

The End of Marking Time will challenge your beliefs about the criminal justice system. Are long term/life sentences cruel and unusual? If so, what’s the alternative and, as presented in the book, is it really any better or more humane? This is not a book for those who want to breeze through some mindless entertainment. Far from it. It is, however, a thought provoking read that presents questions and scenarios that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

CJ was raised in a tiny town in Massachusetts where his family has lived for three generations. C.J.’s his first book, Sin and Vengeance, was released in 2005 and optioned for film in February 2008. C.J.’s other titles include Taking Stock, A Demon Awaits, and Gretchen Greene. He currently lives in suburban Massachusetts with his wife and two children. To learn more about C.J., visit his website.

17 Comments

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    August 8, 2013 - 9:00 AM

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  • Julie @ Knitting and Sundries

    November 13, 2010 - 11:48 PM

    Ooh! I have this one for review and YOUR review makes me want to read it even more! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

    • Elizabeth A. White

      November 14, 2010 - 10:16 AM

      Thanks for stopping by. Can’t wait to read your thoughts on it.

  • McDroll

    November 13, 2010 - 1:15 PM

    Great review and intriguing book!

    • Elizabeth A. White

      November 13, 2010 - 2:46 PM

      Thanks! And, yes, it’s certainly one that will make you think a bit.

  • Jenn's Bookshelves

    November 13, 2010 - 12:55 PM

    Oh…I went to school for Criminal Justice/Psychology. This book intrigues me!

    • Elizabeth A. White

      November 13, 2010 - 2:45 PM

      You should find it particularly fascinating given your background.

  • Charles Wingfield

    November 12, 2010 - 12:11 PM

    Wow, great review. Absolutely love the concept of this book. Works on so many levels. Has that Clockwork Orange feel to it. Gonna have to pick this up to see how things turn out! Thanks!

    • Elizabeth A. White

      November 12, 2010 - 6:30 PM

      There’s definitely a Clockwork Orange-esque feel to the reeducation programs.

  • Kristopher

    November 12, 2010 - 11:23 AM

    I followed you over here from Marshall Karp’s website and have to say, great site! Can’t wait to dive deeper into these reviews and books.

    Neal Kristopher

    • Elizabeth A. White

      November 12, 2010 - 12:31 PM

      Thank you, and welcome to the blog. πŸ™‚

      Hopefully you’ll find a few new authors or books here that catch your eye.

  • CJ West

    November 12, 2010 - 10:16 AM

    Elizabeth,

    Thank you for such a thoughtful review. I am delighted that you enjoyed my work and impressed by the care you took to describe it to your readers.

    The Michael O’Connor quote makes me look smart, too πŸ˜‰

    Thanks again!

    CJ

    • Elizabeth A. White

      November 12, 2010 - 12:35 PM

      Thank you for the kind words, and for the thoroughly enjoyable read.

  • le0pard13

    November 12, 2010 - 10:10 AM

    This definitely sounds intriguing, Elizabeth. Thanks for the review.

  • sabrina ogden

    November 12, 2010 - 9:55 AM

    Having worked in the justice system for thirteen years now I can’t help but find this book interesting. I can’t wait to read it and see if it changes my thinking. I’ve seen both bad and good in the system, and I’ve always been known as a softy. We deal with jail overcrowding on a regular basis and while employed w/the Sheriffs Department I oversaw the implementation of the Consent Decree Releases…it wasn’t easy and the guidelines were very relaxed. I imagine some committed crimes immediately upon release. I shrink in shame at the thought… Great review!

    • Elizabeth A. White

      November 12, 2010 - 12:32 PM

      Thanks! Yes, with your background you should find this to be a particularly interesting read for sure.