Official Review: On the run no more by S. Hamilton

[jkreviewer]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "On the run no more" by S. Hamilton.]

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2 out of 4 stars

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On the Run No More by S. Hamilton is an intense read. This story is a raw and powerful “fictional” account of the author’s life as a paranoid, schizophrenic, and disabled man. Hamilton begins his recounting with a rendition of his own conception and birth, then takes the reader through his traumatic childhood and adolescence to his troubled adult years.

Honestly, I had difficulty finishing this book. I think that Hamilton meant for the writing and tone to challenge the reader. Hamilton’s anger and rage are evident from the first paragraph and seem to grow throughout the book. His anger, in particular, with those he perceives to be actively seeking to undermine him and to cast aspersions on his character comes across the clearest. He has a paranoia regarding the spreading of rumors about his person and his past; rumors which he insists are constantly being whispered by an unidentifiable “them” throughout his life. It is painful to see how this negatively impacts his every move, job, and relationship.

I am giving On the Run No More two out of four stars. The book clearly needs further editing and the font needs to be changed to make it more accessible. His choice to render explicit and crude descriptions of his life events and sexual acts, along with a decision to utilize complex and elaborate word choices that overly-complicate the fluidity of his sentences, made for a challenging writing style to engage with as a reader. While I see the value in having a story written by a man of S. Hamilton’s worldview, the description of the book provided did not prepare me for the true content.

One stylistic element that I really appreciated in this book was Hamilton’s use of conversational transcripts between his psychiatrist and himself. He used the conversations to introduce new sections or to provide an outside view of his story. I found it highly effective and helpful as a reader. The aggressive writing-style seems to match Hamilton’s typical method of communication, as his exchanges with his psychiatrist are in the same vein.

I want to be able to recommend this book to others, but I struggle to do so. The themes are very difficult. I found it particularly hard to read about what Hamilton endured as a child—fictional or not. Please only read this book if you are prepared to deal with topics of child abuse and molestation, voyeurism, bestiality, and sexual assault. All I can say is that I do hope that this really is a more-fiction-than-true account, because it is a heartbreaking catalogue of experiences and pain.

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On the run no more
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[Kirsi Cultrera]

Oh boy, this book is definitely not for me. I think anger is a typical way for people suffering similar problems to face other human beings. It is sad, and it makes helping them quite difficult. I am sorry that his life has been such a horror story, but I think it doesn't help him the least bit to write a book about it. Maybe then, if his mental problems were under control... thanks for a thorough review!

[summerday307]

Wow at first I thought this might be a book I would want to read but thankfully I read your whole review because I don't think I would enjoy it. I do feel sad that the author may have gone through those horrible things and his mental illness but I will have to pass on this one. Thanks for the honest review.