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The End of Marking Time
Gifted housebreaker Michael O’Connor is trapped in a Plexiglass cube facing an opaque window. He believes you are sitting in the jury box on the other side of the window, so he begs you to press the green button and set him free. The mystery is not only who Michael thinks you are, but who is really behind the window and what fate they will choose for him.
307 pages, Nook
First published May 22, 2010
43 people are currently reading
771 people want to read
About the author
C.J. West
57 books297 followersCJ West writes thrillers set in New England. CJ has just launched his 7th novel, Dinner At Deadman's, a mystery set in the world of antiques and collectibles.
Vist CJ anytime on Facebook.
CJ's first Randy Black Thriller, Sin & Vengeance, was optioned for film.
A Demon Awaits, the second book in CJ's Randy Black series was published in October 2008. The series takes a surprising turn and readers are challenged to think of Randy Black in an entirely new way.
Check out the trailer!
The latest Randy Black novel, Gretchen Greene, was released March 31, 2010.
You can also find CJ on Myspace and Facebook.
CJ hosts a virtual tour of the real winery that became the setting for Sin & Vengeance. See it on Youtube.
Vist CJ anytime on Facebook.
CJ's first Randy Black Thriller, Sin & Vengeance, was optioned for film.
A Demon Awaits, the second book in CJ's Randy Black series was published in October 2008. The series takes a surprising turn and readers are challenged to think of Randy Black in an entirely new way.
Check out the trailer!
The latest Randy Black novel, Gretchen Greene, was released March 31, 2010.
You can also find CJ on Myspace and Facebook.
CJ hosts a virtual tour of the real winery that became the setting for Sin & Vengeance. See it on Youtube.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
December 1, 2010
The End of Marking Time by CJ West has been described by some as Prison Break meets 1984. I am not a fan of Prison Break but I do like dystopian fiction and have a fondness for Orwell's work and I like fast paced thrillers ala Barry Eisler or Lee Childs.
Going by this description alone I was expecting a fast paced thriller, a story of oppression and revolution. A book with that I wouldn't be able to put down and that might leave me with some points to ponder.
Coupled with the rave reviews that the book has been given and the knowledge that one of his other books has been optioned for film I was eagerly awaiting getting stuck into the novel. These comments from CJ's Website pretty much some up the generally buzz surrounding this book.
"This book was the most original and inspired work of fiction I have read in years..."
- C. Clift, Jersey City, NJ
"This book troubled me. Hours after I've finished it, I'm still thinking about it. There are no easy answers in this book."- Tony, Redmond, WA
This book troubles me, though not, I suspect for the same reasons.
The Story
Michale O'Connor a successful small time thief, hits the wrong house and does time, or rather he's given time only to have his prison transport attacked by jail breakers intent on freeing another prisoner.
Michael is shot and the next thing he's waking from a coma 5 years later and the entire criminal justice system has been overhauled. Prisoners are "free" to walk the streets but have to complete education programs that will retrain them to act "appropriately". Those that fail the better run educational programs(it's a free market) dissappear into less savory, illegal, dehumanizing programs.
Relearners (the new name for convicts) are given a tracking anklet, and their every move is monitored. They must watch interactive television screens and complete their learning programs. There is no cash, the government gives you credit to live on but you must reform.
The reader follows Michael from his release from hospital, to his painstakingly slow progress through the reeducation program. Until his death.
The Good
The premise isn't that bad. It's an idea worthy of exploration. The writing is grammatically sound.
The Bad
I found the book to be too slowly paced and preachy. The majority of the book is told in first person point of view, a mistake in my opinion. The reader spends too much time inside Michael's head listening to him and his observations.
By a third of the way into the book I was tired of Michaels's thinking through and commenting on his situation, tired of the spelling out of everything for the reader. Indeed I felt I was being led through the implications of this new system. A system that while outlined logically failed to suspend my disbelief.
I never developed any feelings toward the main character, his death at the end had no emotional impact for me.
The Ugly
I sense that CJ was making comment on the American Criminal Justice System. Indeed his afterword supports this, as well as comments I viewed while perusing Amazon. For example:
This book was intended to be disturbing to highlight the seriousness of the problems within our prison system. The 'rules' in the reeducation program are designed to keep Michael off balance to allow his actions to be measured in an environment where he needs to make what he believes to be important decisions. The 'rules' are also meant as a stark contrast to the current system which is gamed by inmates who sue the government for minor inconveniences.
I think to comment on the American Justice System, a non-fiction book would have been a much better vehicle.
The End of Marking Time failed for me to do what good fiction should do, and that is, first and foremost entertain. Though looking at the reviews via Amazon and Goodreads it seems my opinion is in the minority.
Going by this description alone I was expecting a fast paced thriller, a story of oppression and revolution. A book with that I wouldn't be able to put down and that might leave me with some points to ponder.
Coupled with the rave reviews that the book has been given and the knowledge that one of his other books has been optioned for film I was eagerly awaiting getting stuck into the novel. These comments from CJ's Website pretty much some up the generally buzz surrounding this book.
"This book was the most original and inspired work of fiction I have read in years..."
- C. Clift, Jersey City, NJ
"This book troubled me. Hours after I've finished it, I'm still thinking about it. There are no easy answers in this book."- Tony, Redmond, WA
This book troubles me, though not, I suspect for the same reasons.
The Story
Michale O'Connor a successful small time thief, hits the wrong house and does time, or rather he's given time only to have his prison transport attacked by jail breakers intent on freeing another prisoner.
Michael is shot and the next thing he's waking from a coma 5 years later and the entire criminal justice system has been overhauled. Prisoners are "free" to walk the streets but have to complete education programs that will retrain them to act "appropriately". Those that fail the better run educational programs(it's a free market) dissappear into less savory, illegal, dehumanizing programs.
Relearners (the new name for convicts) are given a tracking anklet, and their every move is monitored. They must watch interactive television screens and complete their learning programs. There is no cash, the government gives you credit to live on but you must reform.
The reader follows Michael from his release from hospital, to his painstakingly slow progress through the reeducation program. Until his death.
The Good
The premise isn't that bad. It's an idea worthy of exploration. The writing is grammatically sound.
The Bad
I found the book to be too slowly paced and preachy. The majority of the book is told in first person point of view, a mistake in my opinion. The reader spends too much time inside Michael's head listening to him and his observations.
By a third of the way into the book I was tired of Michaels's thinking through and commenting on his situation, tired of the spelling out of everything for the reader. Indeed I felt I was being led through the implications of this new system. A system that while outlined logically failed to suspend my disbelief.
I never developed any feelings toward the main character, his death at the end had no emotional impact for me.
The Ugly
I sense that CJ was making comment on the American Criminal Justice System. Indeed his afterword supports this, as well as comments I viewed while perusing Amazon. For example:
This book was intended to be disturbing to highlight the seriousness of the problems within our prison system. The 'rules' in the reeducation program are designed to keep Michael off balance to allow his actions to be measured in an environment where he needs to make what he believes to be important decisions. The 'rules' are also meant as a stark contrast to the current system which is gamed by inmates who sue the government for minor inconveniences.
I think to comment on the American Justice System, a non-fiction book would have been a much better vehicle.
The End of Marking Time failed for me to do what good fiction should do, and that is, first and foremost entertain. Though looking at the reviews via Amazon and Goodreads it seems my opinion is in the minority.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2016
It's frustrating when you feel like you have seen the same movie or read the same book a dozen times, just with different characters. What initially drew me to "The End of Marking Time" was the originality of the plot, and it didn't disappoint. The novel moves along at a nice, quick pace with humor, mystery, and suspense all thrown in together. The concept of a future prison system will have you questioning yourself about if that would be a better way to do things, and would it be a possible way to do things, etc. The book is never preachy, yet you find yourself wondering about several different philosophical and ethical questions. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and found the originality of it very refreshing. I deducted 1 star as I felt the ending was a little rushed. I would have loved to seen that drawn out a bit more with more perspective given from both of the main characters. It was such a wonderful climax to the story, but I felt it was delivered too quickly and left you wanting to know more. I will definitely be watching for future stories from this author. Highly recommended!
August 12, 2011
Although presented as a political thriller, I'm going to open by saying that this book has "dystopian" written all over it. Gritty and realistic, this book proposes a lot of really uncomfortable questions; I found that the answers I came up with weren't necessarily ones that sat well with me, and to me that's the mark of a good dystopian.
Michael O'Connor is a living, breathing gray area. With no education, no skills, and no assets that he can see, he supports himself by breaking into houses and fencing the stolen goods. A job goes bad, and Michael finds himself arrested for the crime for the first time ever. Found guilty and sentenced to prison, Michael doesn't actually make it to the prison facility; assaulted on the way there, he falls into a coma, and while he's in the hospital, the Supreme Court declares that long-term incarceration constitutes cruel and unusual punishment and two million incarcerated inmates are turned out in the street as a result.
When Michael comes to, he's enrolled in a reeducation program whose goal is to teach him all the things he didn't learn on his own, starting with basic academics and morals and ultimately leading to how to have healthy relationships, getting his GED, and having marketable job skills. Michael doesn't take this all that seriously because after all, if it's not jail, it's not a punishment. Little does he know that everything he does and every decision he makes is leading up to the big moment where his very existence is on the line.
I freely admit that while reading about the first phases of Michael's reeducation, I had some very self-righteous and indignant thoughts. Why shouldn't Michael have to make a legitimate contribution to society? Having to get his GED, learn how to have relationships, and pay child support for the son he didn't know about? What's wrong with that? The government oversight here is extreme, but insidious- it isn't until later that the reader fully realizes just how much control has been assumed, not just over the convicts, but really, over everyone. What price are you willing to pay for security?
More than that, what is the price of a human life? Horton and his Whos taught us that "a person's a person, no matter how small," but when placed in the position of having to determine if a life has been worthwhile or not, how would you rule? Michael is pleading for his life from the first page of the novel until the end, but the revelation of who was serving as his judge, jury and (perhaps) executioner was one that I did not see coming.
Like any good dystopian, this one left me itchy, because while the oppressive regime and government spying may not be in full force today, the social issues highlighted by Michael and his "reeducation" are very real. I had to examine my own beliefs and prejudices and I came out at the end a different person for having read the story.
Michael O'Connor is a living, breathing gray area. With no education, no skills, and no assets that he can see, he supports himself by breaking into houses and fencing the stolen goods. A job goes bad, and Michael finds himself arrested for the crime for the first time ever. Found guilty and sentenced to prison, Michael doesn't actually make it to the prison facility; assaulted on the way there, he falls into a coma, and while he's in the hospital, the Supreme Court declares that long-term incarceration constitutes cruel and unusual punishment and two million incarcerated inmates are turned out in the street as a result.
When Michael comes to, he's enrolled in a reeducation program whose goal is to teach him all the things he didn't learn on his own, starting with basic academics and morals and ultimately leading to how to have healthy relationships, getting his GED, and having marketable job skills. Michael doesn't take this all that seriously because after all, if it's not jail, it's not a punishment. Little does he know that everything he does and every decision he makes is leading up to the big moment where his very existence is on the line.
I freely admit that while reading about the first phases of Michael's reeducation, I had some very self-righteous and indignant thoughts. Why shouldn't Michael have to make a legitimate contribution to society? Having to get his GED, learn how to have relationships, and pay child support for the son he didn't know about? What's wrong with that? The government oversight here is extreme, but insidious- it isn't until later that the reader fully realizes just how much control has been assumed, not just over the convicts, but really, over everyone. What price are you willing to pay for security?
More than that, what is the price of a human life? Horton and his Whos taught us that "a person's a person, no matter how small," but when placed in the position of having to determine if a life has been worthwhile or not, how would you rule? Michael is pleading for his life from the first page of the novel until the end, but the revelation of who was serving as his judge, jury and (perhaps) executioner was one that I did not see coming.
Like any good dystopian, this one left me itchy, because while the oppressive regime and government spying may not be in full force today, the social issues highlighted by Michael and his "reeducation" are very real. I had to examine my own beliefs and prejudices and I came out at the end a different person for having read the story.
May 25, 2010
Standalone thriller that I would classify as dystopian fiction, set in the near future in a time when all prisoners have been released from their physical prisons and forced to undergo "Re-learning" through a variety of programs. The story is told from the point of view of Michael O'Connor, a twenty-five year old professional burglar who was injured in a police chase and spent several years in a coma, waking up to find a very different place than when he went to sleep.
Gone are the jury trials, plea bargaining and time off for good behavior. Instead, you're electronically monitored 24/7 and given lessons and tasks to complete and learn before you can move on--and the punishments for not completing them or for re-offending are...shall we say, severe. Michael, after strengthening his muscles so he can learn to walk and move again, is set up in his own apartment--which he thinks isn't going to be so bad. He's beaten the system before, after all. But the system has gotten a whole lot sneakier while he's been asleep, and the rules have changed. As he careens from one mistake to the next, he's not sure who his friends are (if he has any) nor is he even certain what the objective is that he's supposed to be aiming for.
I'm a bit of a fan of dystopian fiction, so the idea of this book really appealed to me. The storyline is very creative and the world Michael now lives in just as uniquely horrific as many other books of this type, where there has been plagues, wars or social upheaval. However, the book had one major problem (at least, it was a problem to me!) which distracted me quite a lot from the story itself. Writing a book in first person singular is not an easy thing to do effectively. The key is to tell the story in an interesting way from the point of view of the main character without over-populating the prose with the word "I" in all its various forms. Unfortunately, this book was written in just that style, with the opening paragraph containing "I" thirteen times, and which continued on throughout the book.
While the story itself was interesting, I could only read a few short chapters at a time without having to put the book aside to read something else for awhile--which is just a personal thing, since the "I" overuse is something that drives me particularly crazy. I'm afraid I wanted to hit that red button rather early on, as the "I" thing makes the protagonist seem very self-centered and much less engaging than he could have been, and I would have rated the book much higher if not for this one thing.
Gone are the jury trials, plea bargaining and time off for good behavior. Instead, you're electronically monitored 24/7 and given lessons and tasks to complete and learn before you can move on--and the punishments for not completing them or for re-offending are...shall we say, severe. Michael, after strengthening his muscles so he can learn to walk and move again, is set up in his own apartment--which he thinks isn't going to be so bad. He's beaten the system before, after all. But the system has gotten a whole lot sneakier while he's been asleep, and the rules have changed. As he careens from one mistake to the next, he's not sure who his friends are (if he has any) nor is he even certain what the objective is that he's supposed to be aiming for.
I'm a bit of a fan of dystopian fiction, so the idea of this book really appealed to me. The storyline is very creative and the world Michael now lives in just as uniquely horrific as many other books of this type, where there has been plagues, wars or social upheaval. However, the book had one major problem (at least, it was a problem to me!) which distracted me quite a lot from the story itself. Writing a book in first person singular is not an easy thing to do effectively. The key is to tell the story in an interesting way from the point of view of the main character without over-populating the prose with the word "I" in all its various forms. Unfortunately, this book was written in just that style, with the opening paragraph containing "I" thirteen times, and which continued on throughout the book.
While the story itself was interesting, I could only read a few short chapters at a time without having to put the book aside to read something else for awhile--which is just a personal thing, since the "I" overuse is something that drives me particularly crazy. I'm afraid I wanted to hit that red button rather early on, as the "I" thing makes the protagonist seem very self-centered and much less engaging than he could have been, and I would have rated the book much higher if not for this one thing.
January 19, 2011
First, I have to say I read most of this book while on jury duty (which mostly involves waiting around, then waiting some more), which seemed way too appropriate.
This is quite an unusual dystopic story - society's transformation from what we currently know to West's vision of a radically altered near-future happens in the book. How we get from A to B is completely spelled out. Typically dystopias in literature drop the reader in, and let the reader flail around a bit trying to figure out how society became so dramatically altered. Instead, West uses the first-person narration of our chatty felon, Michael, to help the reader understand his confounding situation.
Michael is a long-time crook from a dysfunctional home who finally gets caught burgling a VIP's home. On his way to prison, he's involved in an accident and ends up in a coma for years. When he awakes, the criminal justice system is nothing like he knew it, due to a ruling from the Supreme Court. The court found that prisons were cruel & unusual punishment, and released all prisoners on to the street. (??! okay.) Michael is now thrown into a home-education reformer system, and finds that things aren't as easy as they appear.
The story is pretty entertaining, but I couldn't help thinking that this book should probably be labeled young-adult. We are in Michael's head through the whole story, and he's little more than a petulant child in an adult body. The issues Michael grapples with are ones most teenagers dream about: Could I get away with a life of crime? Surely criminals don't need a stupid education! Families?! Huh, what are they good for?
So, as long as you are okay with everything being spelled out, and are a YA fan, you'll probably really enjoy this book. I was entertained. :)
This is quite an unusual dystopic story - society's transformation from what we currently know to West's vision of a radically altered near-future happens in the book. How we get from A to B is completely spelled out. Typically dystopias in literature drop the reader in, and let the reader flail around a bit trying to figure out how society became so dramatically altered. Instead, West uses the first-person narration of our chatty felon, Michael, to help the reader understand his confounding situation.
Michael is a long-time crook from a dysfunctional home who finally gets caught burgling a VIP's home. On his way to prison, he's involved in an accident and ends up in a coma for years. When he awakes, the criminal justice system is nothing like he knew it, due to a ruling from the Supreme Court. The court found that prisons were cruel & unusual punishment, and released all prisoners on to the street. (??! okay.) Michael is now thrown into a home-education reformer system, and finds that things aren't as easy as they appear.
The story is pretty entertaining, but I couldn't help thinking that this book should probably be labeled young-adult. We are in Michael's head through the whole story, and he's little more than a petulant child in an adult body. The issues Michael grapples with are ones most teenagers dream about: Could I get away with a life of crime? Surely criminals don't need a stupid education! Families?! Huh, what are they good for?
So, as long as you are okay with everything being spelled out, and are a YA fan, you'll probably really enjoy this book. I was entertained. :)
June 2, 2013
Michael O'Connor left home at the young age of fifteen when his momma held a gun to his head. A survivor, he made his living on the streets. He became a professional of robbing houses and cars and made some unsavory friends, but did manage to keep himself out of a gang. He lived reasonably and if he ran low of funds, he just robbed someone. But one day, Michael's luck ran out. After a successful robbery of a district attorney, Michael is laying low, but one of his contacts needs some quick cash. Michael gives him an unused credit card and soon finds himself in cuffs.
The court finds against Michael and he is sentenced to five years in the state prison. On the bus to the big house, a shooting occurs and Michael is shot. When he wakes up, it is four years later. He had been in a coma that whole time. And while he was in a coma, his world as he knew it changed. The government let all of the criminals go free. They thought it inhuman to keep them caged. But, they had to learn by new rules. Michael doesn't know those rules but he is about to learn them the hard way.
Wendell Cummings prides himself on his rehabilitation system. 80% of the criminals that graduate from his system are upstanding citizens. He is determined to re-learn Michael so he can join society once again. Michael wears an ankle strap that warns the public that he is a relearner, and is also bound to the house much of his day. If he doesn't sit in front of the black box with all of it's dvd's, he won't graduate to the next level of his relearning. But Michael wants to know what's going on out in the real world and makes some poor choices. When Michael gets in trouble, Wendell gets in trouble. But eventually, Michael wants to help himself to help Wendell, but the price might just be too high.
The End of Marking Time is a hypnotizing novel. It has such a unique plot line that I couldn't put it down. Granted, I really hated the ending, but if an author can raise any emotion out of a reader, it is high marks. The End of Marking Time really makes you think, long after the book is finished. Every action has a consequence and a domino effect and C.J. West takes it to the whole next level. Absolutely riveting!!
The court finds against Michael and he is sentenced to five years in the state prison. On the bus to the big house, a shooting occurs and Michael is shot. When he wakes up, it is four years later. He had been in a coma that whole time. And while he was in a coma, his world as he knew it changed. The government let all of the criminals go free. They thought it inhuman to keep them caged. But, they had to learn by new rules. Michael doesn't know those rules but he is about to learn them the hard way.
Wendell Cummings prides himself on his rehabilitation system. 80% of the criminals that graduate from his system are upstanding citizens. He is determined to re-learn Michael so he can join society once again. Michael wears an ankle strap that warns the public that he is a relearner, and is also bound to the house much of his day. If he doesn't sit in front of the black box with all of it's dvd's, he won't graduate to the next level of his relearning. But Michael wants to know what's going on out in the real world and makes some poor choices. When Michael gets in trouble, Wendell gets in trouble. But eventually, Michael wants to help himself to help Wendell, but the price might just be too high.
The End of Marking Time is a hypnotizing novel. It has such a unique plot line that I couldn't put it down. Granted, I really hated the ending, but if an author can raise any emotion out of a reader, it is high marks. The End of Marking Time really makes you think, long after the book is finished. Every action has a consequence and a domino effect and C.J. West takes it to the whole next level. Absolutely riveting!!
June 8, 2010
Imagine waking up from a coma to a world you don't recognize. When you went under, you were bound for prison. Now the prisoners have all been released – at least ostensibly. There's just one catch. You're under continual surveillance. You're being watched and judged everywhere you go. The so-called freedom you enjoy is non-existent.
This is the intriguing and frightening premise of THE END OF MARKING TIME. The main character Michael has made a lifetime occupation of burglary and other types of property theft. He gets caught after selling the wrong credit card to the wrong man. As he's being taken to prison, a melee breaks out. Michael gets shot and lapses into a four-year coma. When he recovers, the world has completely changed. The Supreme Court has ruled that long-term prison sentences are "cruel and unusual punishment," striking them down as unconstitutional.
As a result, all prisoners are set free. This creates a, er, difficult situation, to say the least. With prisoners roaming wild, people are frightened. Things turn anarchic, until a new system is put into place. Michael wakes up after the new system is implemented and all the bugs are worked out – at least to the satisfaction of law-abiding citizens.
Michael has to learn to live with all the new rules. He's monitored constantly, his movements tracked by a chip implant and an ankle bracelet. The chip triggers an alarm at every commercial or public building he enters. Cameras watch his movements. He's free to move about, but stripped of his privacy.
Read the entire review at: http://thebookgrrl.blogspot.com/2010/...
This is the intriguing and frightening premise of THE END OF MARKING TIME. The main character Michael has made a lifetime occupation of burglary and other types of property theft. He gets caught after selling the wrong credit card to the wrong man. As he's being taken to prison, a melee breaks out. Michael gets shot and lapses into a four-year coma. When he recovers, the world has completely changed. The Supreme Court has ruled that long-term prison sentences are "cruel and unusual punishment," striking them down as unconstitutional.
As a result, all prisoners are set free. This creates a, er, difficult situation, to say the least. With prisoners roaming wild, people are frightened. Things turn anarchic, until a new system is put into place. Michael wakes up after the new system is implemented and all the bugs are worked out – at least to the satisfaction of law-abiding citizens.
Michael has to learn to live with all the new rules. He's monitored constantly, his movements tracked by a chip implant and an ankle bracelet. The chip triggers an alarm at every commercial or public building he enters. Cameras watch his movements. He's free to move about, but stripped of his privacy.
Read the entire review at: http://thebookgrrl.blogspot.com/2010/...
October 10, 2012
I really don't understand all the good reviews for this book. I thought it was far-fetched and preachy. I feel like most of the reviews are based on the shock value. "I was four stars not expecting that ending." Well, probably not. Different strokes and all that.
Anyway, I just can't buy into that kind of change in four years, but I think that's one of it's lesser failings. I also can't buy into the kind of planning that must unfold just so for each prisoner's "relearning." Please.
Or that incarceration was deemed cruel but they so swiftly jumped into thinking that this treatment was peachy. The clear implication, in an attempt to make this plausible, being that all the inmates were let out without a plan and the state was rushing to figure it out after the fact. Really?
And as if that was all wasn't bad enough, Michael petty much couldn't have been less interesting. I realize that as humans we have the same thoughts over and over again, but when writing first person, that doesn't mean you can place the same inner monologue on repeat for 200 pages and not expect it to get old for the reader.
And about the ending, I'm not saying what happens, but it's obvious there's supposed to be a twist, right? Well, the idea that this twist would stay secret long enough to stay an effective way of dealing with criminals is ridiculous as well.
Anyway, I just can't buy into that kind of change in four years, but I think that's one of it's lesser failings. I also can't buy into the kind of planning that must unfold just so for each prisoner's "relearning." Please.
Or that incarceration was deemed cruel but they so swiftly jumped into thinking that this treatment was peachy. The clear implication, in an attempt to make this plausible, being that all the inmates were let out without a plan and the state was rushing to figure it out after the fact. Really?
And as if that was all wasn't bad enough, Michael petty much couldn't have been less interesting. I realize that as humans we have the same thoughts over and over again, but when writing first person, that doesn't mean you can place the same inner monologue on repeat for 200 pages and not expect it to get old for the reader.
And about the ending, I'm not saying what happens, but it's obvious there's supposed to be a twist, right? Well, the idea that this twist would stay secret long enough to stay an effective way of dealing with criminals is ridiculous as well.
November 9, 2010
The concept for this book is both fascinating and troubling. C.J. West set this book in the near future, at a time when our justice system has been dismantled and replaced by a whole new program with a whole new set of rules. Michael, the main character, is a career criminal. His crimes have all been nonviolent, yet it is questionable as to whether he will be able to conform to society.
West did a great job of portraying Michael, forcing readers to look at him as the troubled young man he was and showing us what brought him to the place he found himself in. The ending caught me off guard and, I have to admit, bothered me tremendously.
While some spots in the middle lagged a bit for me, overall I found the writing quite good and the story compelling.
West did a great job of portraying Michael, forcing readers to look at him as the troubled young man he was and showing us what brought him to the place he found himself in. The ending caught me off guard and, I have to admit, bothered me tremendously.
While some spots in the middle lagged a bit for me, overall I found the writing quite good and the story compelling.
November 19, 2010
Michael O,Connor is a skilledhouse breaker.But when he is arrested for breaking into a district attorneys house and stealing his mercedes and credit cards. He is sent to prison. On his way to prison there is an attempted jail break. Which puts michael in a coma for four years. When he wakes up he finds the justice system totally changed criminals are now called releaarners and are assigned to re education programs that keep track of their successes or faolures in navigating their lives in the outside world. Michael is assigned to such a program and he may find it harder to escape justice this time.! This was an online read for me i usually don,t read books online but i truly enjoyed this one. It really captured and kept my interest.I look forward to more books by this author
February 17, 2012
Not sure why this book gets so many 4/5* ratings, although it starts off well and has an interesting take on future of law enforcement and punishment it runs out of steam at about the 60% stage. Our lead character has nothing to redeem himself being unlikeable from start to finish. He constantly refuses to help himself despite being constantly told how to achieve this and the penalties for not doing so. At the 60% stage it seems he is then to become a detective despite having no skills to do so and a very weak storyline. The final twist in the plot was a little obvious and deserved.
June 20, 2010
A story about prison life without a prison in the new America. It is a scary scenario with one government-owned bank and no cash—your thumb print is your debit card. Where prisoners are rehabilitated with tracking devices in their heads and ankle bracelets. Is it possible?
Oh, it takes place four years hence. President Obama loses his bid for a second term.
I good read. You may not want to put it down!
Oh, it takes place four years hence. President Obama loses his bid for a second term.
I good read. You may not want to put it down!
June 26, 2010
I can't tell you to much without spoiling the book. I have actually read it twice and will probably read it a third time. It is very interesting to see treatments of Correctional & Rehabilitation, that are different from the norm, this fits the bill to a 'T'
Highly Recommended
Highly Recommended
November 23, 2012
I'm speechless.
April 27, 2020
I really don't understand all the good reviews for this book. I thought it was far-fetched and preachy. I feel like most of the reviews are based on the shock value. "I was four stars not expecting that ending." Well, probably not. Different strokes and all that.
Anyway, I just can't buy into that kind of change in four years, but I think that's one of it's lesser failings. I also can't buy into the kind of planning that must unfold just so for each prisoner's "relearning." Please.
Or that incarceration was deemed cruel but they so swiftly jumped into thinking that this treatment was peachy. The clear implication, in an attempt to make this plausible, being that all the inmates were let out without a plan and the state was rushing to figure it out after the fact. Really?
And as if that was all wasn't bad enough, Michael petty much couldn't have been less interesting. I realize that as humans we have the same thoughts over and over again, but when writing first person, that doesn't mean you can place the same inner monologue on repeat for 200 pages and not expect it to get old for the reader.
And about the ending, I'm not saying what happens, but it's obvious there's supposed to be a twist, right? Well, the idea that this twist would stay secret long enough to stay an effective way of dealing with criminals is ridiculous as well.
Anyway, I just can't buy into that kind of change in four years, but I think that's one of it's lesser failings. I also can't buy into the kind of planning that must unfold just so for each prisoner's "relearning." Please.
Or that incarceration was deemed cruel but they so swiftly jumped into thinking that this treatment was peachy. The clear implication, in an attempt to make this plausible, being that all the inmates were let out without a plan and the state was rushing to figure it out after the fact. Really?
And as if that was all wasn't bad enough, Michael petty much couldn't have been less interesting. I realize that as humans we have the same thoughts over and over again, but when writing first person, that doesn't mean you can place the same inner monologue on repeat for 200 pages and not expect it to get old for the reader.
And about the ending, I'm not saying what happens, but it's obvious there's supposed to be a twist, right? Well, the idea that this twist would stay secret long enough to stay an effective way of dealing with criminals is ridiculous as well.
March 4, 2022
FINALLY!
This is not a recent release. It’s been in my Kindle library for quite some time and I just happened to stumble across it. I really enjoyed this book, unlike books I have recently read, this book kept me engaged and wanting to keep reading not forcing myself to finish a book I couldn’t stand.
This is not a recent release. It’s been in my Kindle library for quite some time and I just happened to stumble across it. I really enjoyed this book, unlike books I have recently read, this book kept me engaged and wanting to keep reading not forcing myself to finish a book I couldn’t stand.
January 14, 2018
Good story!
I so enjoyed this book ! Not what I expected I dare say. But a real page turner .a must read!
I so enjoyed this book ! Not what I expected I dare say. But a real page turner .a must read!
February 17, 2019
I gave up about 6% in. It was very slow paced and just not my kind of book.
January 25, 2019
Was aiming to give 5 stars until the last few pages!! What a disappointment.
September 26, 2023
I was moved by the depth and richness of the author's writing. This book is a true masterpiece.
January 4, 2011
This review first appeared on my blog: http://jewelknits.blogspot.com/2011/0...
Michael, who left his house at the age of 15 after his mother, worried about losing her other children and therefore her welfare money, threatens him with a gun, is a professional housebreaker and car thief. Double, his crime mentor, talks about going straight for the sake of a girl and family, and Michael is determined he won't be going THAT route anytime soon. Now 20, he breaks into the wrong house - the house of someone influential enough for the police to doggedly track down the thief, and is given a rather harsh sentence. A harrowing incident on the way to prison results in Michael ending up in a coma. When he wakes up, prisons no longer exist. Other societal changes have been made as well - there are no longer ANY tax loopholes, and all income over $40,000 a year is taxed at 80%. Stores, restaurants and other public places have sensor boxes that sense the ankle bracelets that all relearners must now wear, instantly resulting in suspicion of the person entering. There are different programs that relearners are shuffled into, which are supposed to be random, but which Michael thinks are stacked in favor of one of the directors, who only seems to get first-time offenders convicted of small-time offenses. His particular program, run by Wendell Cummings, consists of a series of DVD's tied to a black black box which can tell when he leaves the room instead of listening and following the instructions given. He also has a slew of counselors to cover every aspect of his life. There are tracking devices implanted into relearners which can't be removed; according to Double, they are connected to your heartbeat or something, and Michael has a difficult time in this new world where cash is no longer of value and he doesn't know the new rules.
In reading this book, I was instantly drawn into Michael's story. We get an inside look at how people fall into a life of crime, and of how that life really works. You, as the reader, will feel sympathy for him and his plight and he awakens in a world where all of the rules have changed, and he no longer knows what actions are considered good or bad. I found myself cheering him for his efforts to be 'good', while also groaning at the consequences of his actions towards that goal. The story consists of Michael telling his story to an unseen and unknown by us audience who will decide his ultimate fate, and as we hope for the best for him, we worry that it may not happen. Since we are hearing this through Michael's words, and it is a world we are also unfamiliar with, many of the things that take him by surprise also take us by surprise, and there are some twists that keep the story even more involving.
This was a hard story to put down. The author has researched our present criminal justice system and offers a look at an alternative that, while on the surface may appear to be better (actual rehabilitation being the goal), is just as dark if not darker than our present system.
The only reason this didn't get a five-star rating based on my immersion in the story is that I felt the ending fell a little flat. A moment that should have been climactic gets lost in a rather unemotional summation.
QUOTES
In my school if you learned to read and write you were a prodigy. I wasn't a retard, but I spent more time worrying about how to keep my skin intact than reading books someone made up.
What could they really do to me? no matter what they couldn't send me to prison. There was no capital punishment in Massachusetts. What were they going to do? Sentence me to extra videos?
Blake explained that at night they keep the upper windows open so the relearners who've been here longest have an opportunity to jump.
BOOK RATING: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Michael, who left his house at the age of 15 after his mother, worried about losing her other children and therefore her welfare money, threatens him with a gun, is a professional housebreaker and car thief. Double, his crime mentor, talks about going straight for the sake of a girl and family, and Michael is determined he won't be going THAT route anytime soon. Now 20, he breaks into the wrong house - the house of someone influential enough for the police to doggedly track down the thief, and is given a rather harsh sentence. A harrowing incident on the way to prison results in Michael ending up in a coma. When he wakes up, prisons no longer exist. Other societal changes have been made as well - there are no longer ANY tax loopholes, and all income over $40,000 a year is taxed at 80%. Stores, restaurants and other public places have sensor boxes that sense the ankle bracelets that all relearners must now wear, instantly resulting in suspicion of the person entering. There are different programs that relearners are shuffled into, which are supposed to be random, but which Michael thinks are stacked in favor of one of the directors, who only seems to get first-time offenders convicted of small-time offenses. His particular program, run by Wendell Cummings, consists of a series of DVD's tied to a black black box which can tell when he leaves the room instead of listening and following the instructions given. He also has a slew of counselors to cover every aspect of his life. There are tracking devices implanted into relearners which can't be removed; according to Double, they are connected to your heartbeat or something, and Michael has a difficult time in this new world where cash is no longer of value and he doesn't know the new rules.
In reading this book, I was instantly drawn into Michael's story. We get an inside look at how people fall into a life of crime, and of how that life really works. You, as the reader, will feel sympathy for him and his plight and he awakens in a world where all of the rules have changed, and he no longer knows what actions are considered good or bad. I found myself cheering him for his efforts to be 'good', while also groaning at the consequences of his actions towards that goal. The story consists of Michael telling his story to an unseen and unknown by us audience who will decide his ultimate fate, and as we hope for the best for him, we worry that it may not happen. Since we are hearing this through Michael's words, and it is a world we are also unfamiliar with, many of the things that take him by surprise also take us by surprise, and there are some twists that keep the story even more involving.
This was a hard story to put down. The author has researched our present criminal justice system and offers a look at an alternative that, while on the surface may appear to be better (actual rehabilitation being the goal), is just as dark if not darker than our present system.
The only reason this didn't get a five-star rating based on my immersion in the story is that I felt the ending fell a little flat. A moment that should have been climactic gets lost in a rather unemotional summation.
QUOTES
In my school if you learned to read and write you were a prodigy. I wasn't a retard, but I spent more time worrying about how to keep my skin intact than reading books someone made up.
What could they really do to me? no matter what they couldn't send me to prison. There was no capital punishment in Massachusetts. What were they going to do? Sentence me to extra videos?
Blake explained that at night they keep the upper windows open so the relearners who've been here longest have an opportunity to jump.
BOOK RATING: 4.5 out of 5 stars
March 29, 2011
Source: Received from author. Many thanks goes to C.J. West for sending me a copy of his book for review. I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review.
My rating: 3/5
This review contains spoilers. Proceed at your own risk.
The world is a far different place when Michael wakes up from a coma. He had been on his way to prison when he was shot, and from there, he ended up serving most of his time while in a coma. When he wakes up, the rules have changed and there is no "prison" anymore. Rather, there is a black box and anklet to track his every move. He is to be rehabilitated, and based on his response to the rehabilitation procedures, he will be allowed to go free, or he will be terminated.
This new futuristic justice system has its flaws, but for the most part it works on the first time offenders. Repeat offenders have to deal with stiffer penalties, and relinquish all control over their lives. Michael, for the most part, is set with these offenders, and he is told that he will have to go to school courtesy of the black box, and learn how to read, as well as participate in activities from other classes if he has a chance to ever lose the ankle monitor.
Michael is a conflicted character as the only way he knows how to earn his keep is to continue breaking and entering houses, but what he doesn't realize is that everything he says or does is monitored, and his actions even outside of his new apartment are being graded. As Michael learns about the new system, and all it encompasses, so we too learn about it. Michael is an affable character, one with a penchant for resorting back to his criminal ways, but he does start to realize that he needs to straighten up. He learns to read, and enjoys it. He meets the son he never knew he had, and he relates his story with a straightforward appeal as he informs the reader of his past history, and how he may or may not have been predisposed towards the criminal lifestyle he has lived. It is heartening to see that he wants to better himself, and that the system could work for him.
Alas, my real and only complaint with this book is just how the system worked for him. With everything stacked against him, it was unfortunate how the book turned out. Going with this new justice system, and his newfound appreciation for straightening out, Michael was well on his way towards a new life, but the sudden reveals at the end of the book lacked belief, and certain characters seemed overly whiny. I would have found the ending more believable if it had been laid out more like the same format as the rest of the book had been. Unfortunately I found it quite rushed, and therefore it lacked the quality and detail that Michael's story had been given from the beginning. I sympathized with his character, and though I didn't agree with how he obtained some of the information for his quest, I didn't think he deserved the judgement he received.
Overall, Michael's story is a unique one; of a futuristic criminal system that terminates those who are deemed unable to be rehabilitated. The opening pages drew me in instantly and I became invested in the outcome as I found Michael trying to better himself. This is one of those books that will resonate long after it is read, and I think fans of crime thrillers will find it an enjoyable, thought-provoking read. For what it's worth, I would have pushed the green button based on the fact that I thought he was showing signs of redemption and I didn't think he was a lost cause.
My rating: 3/5
This review contains spoilers. Proceed at your own risk.
The world is a far different place when Michael wakes up from a coma. He had been on his way to prison when he was shot, and from there, he ended up serving most of his time while in a coma. When he wakes up, the rules have changed and there is no "prison" anymore. Rather, there is a black box and anklet to track his every move. He is to be rehabilitated, and based on his response to the rehabilitation procedures, he will be allowed to go free, or he will be terminated.
This new futuristic justice system has its flaws, but for the most part it works on the first time offenders. Repeat offenders have to deal with stiffer penalties, and relinquish all control over their lives. Michael, for the most part, is set with these offenders, and he is told that he will have to go to school courtesy of the black box, and learn how to read, as well as participate in activities from other classes if he has a chance to ever lose the ankle monitor.
Michael is a conflicted character as the only way he knows how to earn his keep is to continue breaking and entering houses, but what he doesn't realize is that everything he says or does is monitored, and his actions even outside of his new apartment are being graded. As Michael learns about the new system, and all it encompasses, so we too learn about it. Michael is an affable character, one with a penchant for resorting back to his criminal ways, but he does start to realize that he needs to straighten up. He learns to read, and enjoys it. He meets the son he never knew he had, and he relates his story with a straightforward appeal as he informs the reader of his past history, and how he may or may not have been predisposed towards the criminal lifestyle he has lived. It is heartening to see that he wants to better himself, and that the system could work for him.
Alas, my real and only complaint with this book is just how the system worked for him. With everything stacked against him, it was unfortunate how the book turned out. Going with this new justice system, and his newfound appreciation for straightening out, Michael was well on his way towards a new life, but the sudden reveals at the end of the book lacked belief, and certain characters seemed overly whiny. I would have found the ending more believable if it had been laid out more like the same format as the rest of the book had been. Unfortunately I found it quite rushed, and therefore it lacked the quality and detail that Michael's story had been given from the beginning. I sympathized with his character, and though I didn't agree with how he obtained some of the information for his quest, I didn't think he deserved the judgement he received.
Overall, Michael's story is a unique one; of a futuristic criminal system that terminates those who are deemed unable to be rehabilitated. The opening pages drew me in instantly and I became invested in the outcome as I found Michael trying to better himself. This is one of those books that will resonate long after it is read, and I think fans of crime thrillers will find it an enjoyable, thought-provoking read. For what it's worth, I would have pushed the green button based on the fact that I thought he was showing signs of redemption and I didn't think he was a lost cause.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2010
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. I highly recommend this one, especially for book clubs / discussion groups.
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. I highly recommend this one, especially for book clubs / discussion groups.
December 21, 2010
THE END OF MARKING TIME by C. J. West
PROTAGONIST: Michael O’Connor
When Michael O’Connor was thirteen, his mother put a gun to his head when he stole a can of peaches. When he was fifteen, she tried to shoot him. That was what caused him to leave home and go out on his own. He turned to burglary, a mostly victimless crime, as a means of supporting himself. He’s incarcerated and shot in the head while on a prison bus. Four years later, he comes out of a coma, only to find that the world has dramatically changed.
The most important difference to him is that the Supreme Court ruled that all convicts should be let out of prison. Most of these individuals go through a process called “relearning”, where they are assigned a team who works with them to transition to a crime-free life. The government puts them into apartments and pays them a $40,000-a-year salary. Michael has a team of counselors, with Wendell being his lead, the one who develops an instructional program that will teach Michael the skills that he needs to be a productive citizen. Wendell really cares about the convicts who have been assigned to them. Much to his surprise, Michael finds himself developing some social conscience. He is also learning to read at a more than elementary level and surprisingly, finds that he enjoys the task and that the world is opening to him as a result.
Michael goes through his lessons, both formal and informal, and sees that others haven’t been quite as lucky as he has. In particular, the hardest core criminals are assigned to what is known as “cat baggers”, which subjects them to appalling living conditions and almost always results in suicide. As Michael begins to adjust to life in this new world, he finds that Wendell has not been treated fairly by the system. He takes it upon himself to prove that other counselors are cheating to get the easier-to-convert criminals, while Wendell handles some of the hardest cases. Unfortunately, many of the things that he does in his quest are illegal and only serve to damage his rehabilitation. His worst fear is being released from the program and assigned to a cat bagger. His fate is at the hands of others who must determine if he deserves to continue as a relearner or suffer severe punishment.
West has done an excellent job of creating the new world that Michael inhabits and presenting an intriguing and thoughtful view of the society that supports it. It was frustrating to see Michael continually do stupid (albeit well-meant) things without any thought about the consequences of his acts, but that was a large part of who he was. I was somewhat disappointed in the resolution, where the author wrapped up the narrative with a startling surprise. I felt that the conclusion would have been better served by allowing the story to follow its natural course without the unnecessary surprise.
Nonetheless, I was fascinated by the whole concept, the implications of a society where people don’t have to worry about going to jail anymore and the whole construct of the relearning process. THE END OF MARKING TIME is a combination of crime and science fiction, and West has done a great job of creating a thought provoking and engrossing read.
PROTAGONIST: Michael O’Connor
When Michael O’Connor was thirteen, his mother put a gun to his head when he stole a can of peaches. When he was fifteen, she tried to shoot him. That was what caused him to leave home and go out on his own. He turned to burglary, a mostly victimless crime, as a means of supporting himself. He’s incarcerated and shot in the head while on a prison bus. Four years later, he comes out of a coma, only to find that the world has dramatically changed.
The most important difference to him is that the Supreme Court ruled that all convicts should be let out of prison. Most of these individuals go through a process called “relearning”, where they are assigned a team who works with them to transition to a crime-free life. The government puts them into apartments and pays them a $40,000-a-year salary. Michael has a team of counselors, with Wendell being his lead, the one who develops an instructional program that will teach Michael the skills that he needs to be a productive citizen. Wendell really cares about the convicts who have been assigned to them. Much to his surprise, Michael finds himself developing some social conscience. He is also learning to read at a more than elementary level and surprisingly, finds that he enjoys the task and that the world is opening to him as a result.
Michael goes through his lessons, both formal and informal, and sees that others haven’t been quite as lucky as he has. In particular, the hardest core criminals are assigned to what is known as “cat baggers”, which subjects them to appalling living conditions and almost always results in suicide. As Michael begins to adjust to life in this new world, he finds that Wendell has not been treated fairly by the system. He takes it upon himself to prove that other counselors are cheating to get the easier-to-convert criminals, while Wendell handles some of the hardest cases. Unfortunately, many of the things that he does in his quest are illegal and only serve to damage his rehabilitation. His worst fear is being released from the program and assigned to a cat bagger. His fate is at the hands of others who must determine if he deserves to continue as a relearner or suffer severe punishment.
West has done an excellent job of creating the new world that Michael inhabits and presenting an intriguing and thoughtful view of the society that supports it. It was frustrating to see Michael continually do stupid (albeit well-meant) things without any thought about the consequences of his acts, but that was a large part of who he was. I was somewhat disappointed in the resolution, where the author wrapped up the narrative with a startling surprise. I felt that the conclusion would have been better served by allowing the story to follow its natural course without the unnecessary surprise.
Nonetheless, I was fascinated by the whole concept, the implications of a society where people don’t have to worry about going to jail anymore and the whole construct of the relearning process. THE END OF MARKING TIME is a combination of crime and science fiction, and West has done a great job of creating a thought provoking and engrossing read.
March 3, 2011
I found this book being promoted on a forum and the product description sounded interesting so I thought I'd give it a go.
Michael O'Connor is a thief who has never needed to find work, having started stealing to support himself in his teens. He specialises in home breaking, and has sucessfully evaded the law, until he robs a man with clout when he is finally arrested and imprisoned. During the course of his sentence however the Supreme Court declare long term prison sentences a cruel and unsual punishment and they are abolished. Instead felons are placed in re-education programmes with a black box and a team of counsellors to teach them the important lessons they missed earlier in life. The book paints a bleak picture of a society in which law abiding citizens live in fear of re-learners as there doesn't appear to be any effective deterrent to prevent crime. Michael however is being put through the wringer in order to graduate and recover his freedom.
The theme of future alternatives to imprisonment is not dissimilar to that of IVRRAC which I read last year, but this story had a darker more sadistic edge. It certainly provides food for thought on contemporary issues such as human rights, privacy and alternatives to the present overloaded prison system.
The book is written from a first person perspective and in parts Michael is addressing the reader directly. It is an effective device as creates a connection with him and it gave those parts even more of an impact. I found myself struggling to figure out how I felt about Michael, who on the one hand had no compunction about breaking into peoples' homes and taking their money and possessions, but who on the other hand was forced by circumstances to support himself from an early age. Within the programme I couldn't decide if he was taking on the challenges in order to change or purely to finish the programme.
I thought this was a clever book with an interesting subject matter. I was totally conflicted as I read it, trying to figure out how I felt about Michael and the new system, which didn't make for a light read but it certainly made me think. I see that as no bad thing. However I did find the end a little disappointing. After so much build up to the final scene and with the revelations made I felt it was a bit rushed and didn't feel quite like it was up to the same standard as the rest of the book. Overall though it was a good thought-provoking read, well edited and a bargain if you were to pay 71p rather than request a free copy.
Michael O'Connor is a thief who has never needed to find work, having started stealing to support himself in his teens. He specialises in home breaking, and has sucessfully evaded the law, until he robs a man with clout when he is finally arrested and imprisoned. During the course of his sentence however the Supreme Court declare long term prison sentences a cruel and unsual punishment and they are abolished. Instead felons are placed in re-education programmes with a black box and a team of counsellors to teach them the important lessons they missed earlier in life. The book paints a bleak picture of a society in which law abiding citizens live in fear of re-learners as there doesn't appear to be any effective deterrent to prevent crime. Michael however is being put through the wringer in order to graduate and recover his freedom.
The theme of future alternatives to imprisonment is not dissimilar to that of IVRRAC which I read last year, but this story had a darker more sadistic edge. It certainly provides food for thought on contemporary issues such as human rights, privacy and alternatives to the present overloaded prison system.
The book is written from a first person perspective and in parts Michael is addressing the reader directly. It is an effective device as creates a connection with him and it gave those parts even more of an impact. I found myself struggling to figure out how I felt about Michael, who on the one hand had no compunction about breaking into peoples' homes and taking their money and possessions, but who on the other hand was forced by circumstances to support himself from an early age. Within the programme I couldn't decide if he was taking on the challenges in order to change or purely to finish the programme.
I thought this was a clever book with an interesting subject matter. I was totally conflicted as I read it, trying to figure out how I felt about Michael and the new system, which didn't make for a light read but it certainly made me think. I see that as no bad thing. However I did find the end a little disappointing. After so much build up to the final scene and with the revelations made I felt it was a bit rushed and didn't feel quite like it was up to the same standard as the rest of the book. Overall though it was a good thought-provoking read, well edited and a bargain if you were to pay 71p rather than request a free copy.
September 24, 2012
I really want those half stars goodreads because I would give this book 4 1/2 stars
this book stayed on my mind so much I woke up thinking about it. that was, well, annoying ,
no no annoying is not the right word for it. This book is like that song that plays over and over in your head and wont go away. I found myself frantically reading to find out what was happening without paying any attention to the things I usually read for(punctuation is not something I ever read for BTW because that is obviously NOT my forte)
because this was not a romance which is what I usually gravitate toward there were none of those cliches that Im used to. I was using this book as a pallet cleanser so to speak from time to time when i get sick of reading the same kind of thing over and over I use either a book from a different genre or a fic from a different fandom to make me like the stuff i usually read
this book just makes me want to read more of what this author has written it was so well done and while reading I was agitated and felt so paranoid just like the main character because you do not know who you can trust the whole time you are going through this experience with one set of beliefs and in many cases the instincts that would normally work and make you feel safe are exactly what could get you killed
the hard part is being able to tell what is really happening or what is a set up just when you think you have it figured out something else happens
I felt bad for the main character and then felt bad for feeling bad because he is a criminal and not sorry for what he is done and while he did not commit any violent crimes he still committed crimes
I cant really talk about what actually happens in the book because I fear that I will give away too much of the story. The adventure of it all had me frantic I was worried that every little detail would be the end of this characters life
All in all I thought this was a fascinating look at what could happen everything in this story is a very plausible outcome for a change in our justice system. You really feel for the main character being thrown into this new world without being prepared for it in more ways than one
I am not expressing myself well so I will just say what I said on twitter
ignore my silliness and just go read the damn book if you think Im wrong come back and yell at me
this book stayed on my mind so much I woke up thinking about it. that was, well, annoying ,
no no annoying is not the right word for it. This book is like that song that plays over and over in your head and wont go away. I found myself frantically reading to find out what was happening without paying any attention to the things I usually read for(punctuation is not something I ever read for BTW because that is obviously NOT my forte)
because this was not a romance which is what I usually gravitate toward there were none of those cliches that Im used to. I was using this book as a pallet cleanser so to speak from time to time when i get sick of reading the same kind of thing over and over I use either a book from a different genre or a fic from a different fandom to make me like the stuff i usually read
this book just makes me want to read more of what this author has written it was so well done and while reading I was agitated and felt so paranoid just like the main character because you do not know who you can trust the whole time you are going through this experience with one set of beliefs and in many cases the instincts that would normally work and make you feel safe are exactly what could get you killed
the hard part is being able to tell what is really happening or what is a set up just when you think you have it figured out something else happens
I felt bad for the main character and then felt bad for feeling bad because he is a criminal and not sorry for what he is done and while he did not commit any violent crimes he still committed crimes
I cant really talk about what actually happens in the book because I fear that I will give away too much of the story. The adventure of it all had me frantic I was worried that every little detail would be the end of this characters life
All in all I thought this was a fascinating look at what could happen everything in this story is a very plausible outcome for a change in our justice system. You really feel for the main character being thrown into this new world without being prepared for it in more ways than one
I am not expressing myself well so I will just say what I said on twitter
ignore my silliness and just go read the damn book if you think Im wrong come back and yell at me
February 12, 2011
This fiction is a disturbing account highlighting the seriousness of the problems within the prison system. The tale is a bit off the beaten track, borderline experimental and told in a unique and particular way.
The protagonist, Michael O'Connor, an accomplished thief since a very young age, is finally caught after a long string of burglaries. He never considered what he was doing to be abnormal or even wrong but the justice system saw it differently, his lack of remorse earned him a stiff sentence. His luck took another drastic turn on his way to prison when a fellow prisoner's breakout earned him a bullet and four years in a coma.
During the four years laps, the judiciary system is overhauled and a stronger emphasis is placed on re-education instead of incarceration. Under the new system, Michael's world changes again, he is required to wear a locator bracelet, further his education and function as a law abiding citizen. The system is designed to educate, test and measure the decisions he has to take in normal life. His past history takes its toll and he finds it difficult to understand what is expected of him. At what point will he realize that his decisions determine his freedom and could possibly have life or death consequences.
The story is told mostly in Michael's own words, the language and tone reflect an easy-going and simple protagonist. The author presents an interesting look into the reform of the penal system. He has written quite a dystopian scenario regarding crime and its punishment, an untypical mystery with a psychological twist.
I had a hard time getting into the story, although it was captivating enough at first, as I read on, my interest dwindled. I slowly lost empathy for Michael as he spun in circles trying to solve his assignments, I found myself not caring or interested in his predicament even when it took an unpredictable turn. The end result left me totally un-fizzled. I had accepted the fact that this looser would never see the light or be an asset to society.
Yes Mr. West, I did press that red button....Was this your objective?
The novel may not have been one of my favourites; however it did succeed in stimulating my thoughts towards the justice system.
The protagonist, Michael O'Connor, an accomplished thief since a very young age, is finally caught after a long string of burglaries. He never considered what he was doing to be abnormal or even wrong but the justice system saw it differently, his lack of remorse earned him a stiff sentence. His luck took another drastic turn on his way to prison when a fellow prisoner's breakout earned him a bullet and four years in a coma.
During the four years laps, the judiciary system is overhauled and a stronger emphasis is placed on re-education instead of incarceration. Under the new system, Michael's world changes again, he is required to wear a locator bracelet, further his education and function as a law abiding citizen. The system is designed to educate, test and measure the decisions he has to take in normal life. His past history takes its toll and he finds it difficult to understand what is expected of him. At what point will he realize that his decisions determine his freedom and could possibly have life or death consequences.
The story is told mostly in Michael's own words, the language and tone reflect an easy-going and simple protagonist. The author presents an interesting look into the reform of the penal system. He has written quite a dystopian scenario regarding crime and its punishment, an untypical mystery with a psychological twist.
I had a hard time getting into the story, although it was captivating enough at first, as I read on, my interest dwindled. I slowly lost empathy for Michael as he spun in circles trying to solve his assignments, I found myself not caring or interested in his predicament even when it took an unpredictable turn. The end result left me totally un-fizzled. I had accepted the fact that this looser would never see the light or be an asset to society.
Yes Mr. West, I did press that red button....Was this your objective?
The novel may not have been one of my favourites; however it did succeed in stimulating my thoughts towards the justice system.
Read
March 7, 2016The reeducation program in this book really reminded me of the intuitive psychological profiling game that Ender played in Ender's Game. In other words, it got me hooked on this book.
This was a very engaging book. Very psychological. The only thing I have a qualm with is the way the book ended.
I didn't understand the reasoning behind killing Michael. It seemed to me they should have given him more of the facts. Had he known the stakes, things would have been different. I understand he did revert back to some of his old ways (breaking and entering), but it's like they completely overlooked the reasons behind why he did those things. That is not true justice either. Killing someone because they tried to right wrongs seems horrible to me. To me it feels like a cold callous, unempathetic system to see the law as the law and not make any concession to the reasons. Maybe it's just the sense I have that I hope that all my mistakes for the right reasons don't count against me in God's eyes. For society to play god like that with someone's life and not see any of the good or the changes that he is progressing towards is unthinkable. There wasn't a lot of time spent there in reeducation, in my opinion, to correct a lifetime of ingrained behavior. Had I been there I would have given him more time to learn. Maybe that is just me seeing the good parts in others, but that was what I was taught to do. I was taught that if people truly wanted to keep making changes to let them try to that end for as long as it took. He wanted to change, he wanted to be that person that everyone was looking at him to be, and they rewarded him with death. The ending to me felt like cheap shock factor. What really should have happened and what I was expecting as the book was directed at ME, was for me to make the ultimate choice, to leave it up to the reader to decide if he lived or died. I was disappointed I didn't get that choice when the entire book was leading up to that.
Definitely a very thought provoking book. Though the ending felt rushed and didn't for me seem to quite fit with the rest of the book, I was thoroughly engaged and couldn't put it down.
This was a very engaging book. Very psychological. The only thing I have a qualm with is the way the book ended.
I didn't understand the reasoning behind killing Michael. It seemed to me they should have given him more of the facts. Had he known the stakes, things would have been different. I understand he did revert back to some of his old ways (breaking and entering), but it's like they completely overlooked the reasons behind why he did those things. That is not true justice either. Killing someone because they tried to right wrongs seems horrible to me. To me it feels like a cold callous, unempathetic system to see the law as the law and not make any concession to the reasons. Maybe it's just the sense I have that I hope that all my mistakes for the right reasons don't count against me in God's eyes. For society to play god like that with someone's life and not see any of the good or the changes that he is progressing towards is unthinkable. There wasn't a lot of time spent there in reeducation, in my opinion, to correct a lifetime of ingrained behavior. Had I been there I would have given him more time to learn. Maybe that is just me seeing the good parts in others, but that was what I was taught to do. I was taught that if people truly wanted to keep making changes to let them try to that end for as long as it took. He wanted to change, he wanted to be that person that everyone was looking at him to be, and they rewarded him with death. The ending to me felt like cheap shock factor. What really should have happened and what I was expecting as the book was directed at ME, was for me to make the ultimate choice, to leave it up to the reader to decide if he lived or died. I was disappointed I didn't get that choice when the entire book was leading up to that.
Definitely a very thought provoking book. Though the ending felt rushed and didn't for me seem to quite fit with the rest of the book, I was thoroughly engaged and couldn't put it down.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2011
Michael O’Connell is a 20 year old poorly educated career criminal. His chosen money making scheme is house breaking and he’s very good at it managing to go undetected even if the home owner is in the house with him. Michaels luck finally runs out when he breaks into the home of the DA. The police are intent on catching this perpetrator and it doesn’t take long before they are led to Michael and he is arrested. The judge decides to make an example of him, sentencing Michael to five years behind bars but during his transfer from court house to prison he is shot and spends the next four years unconscious in a coma, on waking he finds a very different world.
The end of marking time is the story of a Dystopian society where the justice system has been totally revamped, prison is no-longer the default punishment for crime, instead criminals are ‘reeducated’, a form of rehabilitation where, while being ‘free’ they are tagged and given tasks to fulfil in order to turn them into productive members of society thus ending their sentence.
The story is told from Michaels point of view as he is telling ‘us’ his history. How he finds it difficult to adjust in this ‘new world’ being unable to see any way of making a living other than by crime no matter how hard he tries. He meets his son for the first time and enjoys the task of finally learning to read but it still isn’t enough to put him completely back on the straight and narrow, he often finds himself falling back into his old ways.
The plot is quite well thought out, unique and in the most part interesting. I find it quite worrying to think that this world C.J West invented could easily become our world and although I think rehabilitation is possible in some cases on the whole I think it is not. I was slightly disappointed with the out come for Michael, it seemed very unfair and not the result I would have chosen. It certainly wouldn’t have ended like that for him had he served his prison sentence in the original way it was set.
I did enjoy this read but it’s not my usual genre and it wasn’t the type of book I could throw myself into or feel part of, but still it was an entertaining book.
May 21, 2012
I would give this book 3.5 stars. I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. A criminal undergoing rehab just didn't seem that interesting. But I found that it was interesting. The book takes place in a near future society, where the legal system has been entirely revamped.
I thought the protagonist, Michael, was basically a good person, with his own kind of warped logic. Unfortunately, years of living in near poverty or on the streets has changed the way he thinks about life. It seems the point of the rehab is to see if they can change his thoughts. Show him how law abiding citizens think and react to situations. I don't know if it is possible to totally change someone in this way.
The book was written in the first person. The narrator is Michael, telling his story to an unknown jury that will be deciding his fate. I was particularly annoyed by the fact that Michael constantly kept telling the jury things like "If only I had know then what I know now" and "I wish I had paid better attention to what was being said", etc. Those aren't direct quotes, just the general tone of what he was saying.
So Michael goes through all these scenarios, both in video classes, and in his life. They are supposed to teach him how to behave, and to test how he behaves. As the book progresses, the reader and Michael start to wonder, what is real, and what is not. How much of Michael's life is being recorded. Is there any privacy in this world, or is he always on stage?
By the end of the book, I was thinking that an incredible amount of expense and time was put into the rehab efforts. And when Michael found out who his birth father was, that seemed a little contrived. The story was definitely thought provoking. It had me thinking about crime, and what punishment was appropriate for what crime.
I thought the protagonist, Michael, was basically a good person, with his own kind of warped logic. Unfortunately, years of living in near poverty or on the streets has changed the way he thinks about life. It seems the point of the rehab is to see if they can change his thoughts. Show him how law abiding citizens think and react to situations. I don't know if it is possible to totally change someone in this way.
The book was written in the first person. The narrator is Michael, telling his story to an unknown jury that will be deciding his fate. I was particularly annoyed by the fact that Michael constantly kept telling the jury things like "If only I had know then what I know now" and "I wish I had paid better attention to what was being said", etc. Those aren't direct quotes, just the general tone of what he was saying.
So Michael goes through all these scenarios, both in video classes, and in his life. They are supposed to teach him how to behave, and to test how he behaves. As the book progresses, the reader and Michael start to wonder, what is real, and what is not. How much of Michael's life is being recorded. Is there any privacy in this world, or is he always on stage?
By the end of the book, I was thinking that an incredible amount of expense and time was put into the rehab efforts. And when Michael found out who his birth father was, that seemed a little contrived. The story was definitely thought provoking. It had me thinking about crime, and what punishment was appropriate for what crime.
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