cover image Eureka Man

Eureka Man

Patrick Middleton. CreateSpace, $11.50 trade paper (270p) ISBN 978-1-4942-2420-2

This compelling book tells the story of a young man whose crimes sentence him to a life in prison, but do not keep him from creating a life for himself. Oliver Priddy is a high school honors student who commits a robbery and assaults his abusive stepfather, which lands him in reform school to finish his senior year. There he gets in serious trouble for killing a bully who brutally attacks him, and Oliver is sentenced to life in Pennsylvania’s notorious Riverview Penitentiary. Oliver hopes for release in 15–20 years and resolves to improve himself by tutoring other inmates and enrolling in the University of Pittsburgh’s prison campus. He lives a student’s life, forming relationships with other inmates, his supervisor, his advisor, and other students. Ultimately, this is an inspiring novel; Oliver never loses hope, no matter how grim his situation seems. The story, set over 17 years, is moved along primarily through dialogue; the characters have distinct, well-rendered voices. Oliver’s achievements are a lesson in determination, and the triumph of hope and tenacity under difficult circumstances. (BookLife)