Castles in the Sand

Justin Wentworth lost his parents in an automobile accident when he was 18, and ever since he's been trying to compensate by overspending and focusing on material goods and alcohol%E2%80%94behaviors that eventually cost him his relationship with his wife and son and leave him homeless. While on the streets, he meets Steve Jameson, a graduate student doing his thesis on homelessness. Steve wants to do research on what sort of family troubles lead to homelessness, so he helps Justin and offers to take him to AA in exchange for his story. Justin agrees, even though he doesn't trust Steve, and gradually reveals his story. But as Justin delves deeper and deeper, he uncovers buried truths that might destroy him. Daylon's novel is a cautionary tale about entitlement, debt, and anger. The author ably portrays the behavior cycles that lead to alcoholic self-destruction. However, the characters and the book's conclusion are simplistic. Some readers may find the novel's predictability comfortable, but others will find the story overly familiar.