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San Quentin Exodus by Bill Smoot

San Quentin Exodus by Bill Smoot

Sublime Book Review

TITLE INFORMATION

San Quentin Exodus

Bill Smoot

Apprentice House Press, 356 pages

9781627206716, 6.9.2026

Overall Rating = 4.92

Storyline & Concept = 5

Writing & Delivery = 5

Editorial = 4.75

San Quentin Exodus is an emotionally layered novel that tells the stories of two lives whose paths ultimately collide in a way that seems inevitable. James is a quiet, intelligent boy who lives a relatively stable life with his mother, but his love for a pit bull leads him to commit an unexpected crime. Allison grows up as a problem-solver, a result of her love for Nancy Drew novels. Her sexual orientation shapes her character and her search for her place in the world. James and Allison finally meet when she volunteers as a tutor for the prisoners at San Quentin. The story takes a different turn when Allison decides to orchestrate James’ escape.

This novel captured my attention from the first paragraph. At times, the chapters feel anecdotal, but every scene drives the story to its conclusion, keeping the reader entirely involved. The two main characters grew up in completely different circumstances. A Black man who was raised to be honest, caring, and hard-working, finds his life upended by a move from Sacramento to Oakland, where gang violence, drugs, and hard knocks are commonplace. Allison, a young Midwestern woman, moves West to find acceptance for her way of life. The novel moves back and forth between the two characters as they lead separate lives, keeping the reader enthralled and anxiously awaiting the moment when they meet. Allison is immediately drawn to James and his story, recognizing a kindred spirit in the kind, quiet man. San Quentin Exodus is masterfully written and utterly compelling as it captures the stark contrasts between the characters and their environments. Highly recommended!

Sublime Line: “A morally ambiguous redemption story, filled with pain, courage, and hope, that captures and intrigues the reader from the first page.”

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