Scared by Tom Davis (review)

Scared by Tom Davis

Copyright 2009

David C. Cook - Fiction

304 pages, incl. author interview

Author's website

Publisher's website

First things first: Scared is by far the most powerful, moving, gut-wrenching, amazing book I've read in 2009.

Second: If you know Oprah, give her a call. Till I read this book, I didn't understand why Oprah focuses her efforts on education in Africa when there's so much wrong in Mississippi, why she only seems to zip into her home state on rare occasions for $1000-a-plate dinners and then zips right back out. Okay, admittedly, I still don't get the fact that she spends so little time using her powerful voice to encourage changes in education, here, but still . . . now I do get the focus on Africa. This is the kind of book that needs and deserves powerhouse backing because Scared explains it all.

The story:

Years ago, photojournalist Stuart Daniels traveled to the African Congo and ended up in the midst of a rebellion. While he snapped a photo that would earn him prizes and accolades for years, his friend was dying of a gunshot wound. The trauma and guilt have made Stuart a mess. His marriage is in trouble and his job is on the line. To keep from losing his job, Stuart must travel back to Africa -- this time to Swaziland, a country where people are dying of AIDS in droves, leaving behind starving orphans. He needs to snap a "money photo" -- something that will tell a story and make money for the newspaper.

Stuart meets up with a journalist named Gordon, who lost his family to violence but has stayed in Swaziland. Gordon translates and guides Stuart as they visit the care sites where starving citizens wait for food that doesn't arrive. And, Stuart meets little Adanna.

Her mother is dying of AIDS and 12-year-old Adanna must feed her little brother and sister. She has a beautiful smile and is a talented writer. She has dreamed of an illuminated man, who tells her someday she will be free from the horror she faces each day. With no adults willing or able to protect her, she is vulnerable to violent abuse. There is nothing she can do to stop the evil men from hurting her.

Adanna touches Stuart deeply. This time, he will not simply stand by and watch. As he tries to do his part to help the starving people of Adanna's village, tragedy after tragedy continues to unfold. Will Stuart be able to both help the people, save Adanna's little family and restore his own tattered heart?

Scared is absolutely the most shocking book I've read in 2009 because it's based on reality and the reality is horrific. I go out of my way to avoid books with images of graphic violence. Usually, I don't think they serve a purpose and I don't like the nightmares they induce. This book is the opposite: it's brutal because it has to be.

This is the first work of fiction Tom Davis has written and it's not perfect, but it's close. Those rare bits that I didn't like were so brief that I was really kind of stunned when I found out it's his first novel. You could say that the way he piled one disaster upon another seems unrealistic. The author, however, has been to Swaziland and has made it his mission to spread the word. Perhaps it's hard for some of us to realize reality can be that awful. Photojournalist Kevin Carter couldn't live with the pain he saw in Africa, even after winning a Pulitzer.

5/5 - Absolutely the moving, touching, meaningful book I've read in 2009. I've read 92 books, so far this year, and Scared has just become my #1 read of the year. Could. Not. Put. Down.

Side note: There's a Christian theme that you can't miss, but Stuart has long since lost his faith when the story of his trip to Swaziland begins. I found the explanation of why he lost hope among the most realistic and believable stories I've ever read and I don't think the book is in any way preachy, although it could be considered spiritual. If you're not a Christian and Christianity in a novel puts you off, I'd like to suggest that this book is worth setting your personal preferences aside. There are some elements that could be considered "paranormal" instead of Christian. Think of it that way, if you like.