All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker
I’m not sure I’ve read a book quite as frustrating, maddening, and yet utterly compelling as All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker. Not since my teenage years, when I was force-fed a steady diet of Shakespeare and D.H. Lawrence (and yes, let’s include my clandestine copy of Lady Chatterley’s Lover, which I definitely should not have been reading), have I been so conflicted about a book.
As a child of English literature—by both birthplace and education—I was trained to endure the slow burn of a narrative, to stick with it until the layers unfolded and the emotional gut punches landed. And this book? Oh, it lands.
Known for We Begin at the End, Whitaker returns with another genre-defying novel that blends mystery, psychological thriller, and literary fiction into one dark, gripping ride. Set across decades, the story follows Patch, a boy marked by tragedy, and Saint, a girl searching for truth in a world that’s anything but kind. There’s trauma. There’s loss. There’s a pirate. In Manhattan. (Yes, really. No, I won’t explain.)
There were so many moments I wanted to put this book down—not because it was bad, but because it was a lot. Emotionally intense, narratively layered, and occasionally meandering, it tests your patience while rewarding your persistence. I must have muttered, “This book will never end,” at least a hundred times… but then I’d turn the page anyway. The short chapters made it impossible to stop—each one pulled me further in.
At times I was bored, at others emotionally wrung out, but I kept reading because Whitaker has a way of making you care deeply about broken people trying to survive in a broken world. And just when you think you’ve figured it out—bam—he throws in something unexpected, like, say, the aforementioned pirate.
In the end, All the Colors of the Dark isn’t a light read. It’s a dense, sometimes brutal, beautifully written book that drags you through darkness to get to the flickers of hope. It may not be for everyone, but if you’re willing to surrender to the journey, it just might stay with you long after you close the final page.
Just maybe pace yourself—and keep tissues (and maybe a stress ball) nearby.
🍷 Wine Pairing: A Bold, Brooding Red – Petite Sirah
Why Petite Sirah? Because it’s dark, intense, and doesn’t mess around—much like this book. With deep, inky color, rich blackberry and plum flavors, and a backbone of spice and grit, a good Petite Sirah can stand up to emotional turmoil and long, late-night reading sessions. It’s the literary equivalent of a character who’s been through some things and is still standing (with a glass in hand).
Look for:
- Michael David Winery “Petite Petit” – This one even has circus elephants on the label, which feels strangely appropriate given the wild ride of this book.
- Turley’s Hayne Vineyard Petite Syrah – If you’re feeling fancy and emotionally prepared.
- Bogle Petite Sirah – A budget-friendly, widely available bottle that still delivers that deep, moody vibe.
Sip slowly. Things are about to get intense—again.
