Meet Jack – a captivating and endearing character, but never quite “right.” Growing up in the ’80s and ’90s Pacific Northwest as a Gen X punk, Jack embodies the music scene and drug culture of the era. Despite his deterioration, Jack remains a magnetic presence, drawing people in. Even as he struggles with addiction, mental illness, and homelessness, those who care about him never give up, trying to pull him back from the brink. Unfortunately, he always remains just out of reach.
In a three-novella series, Seattle author Christopher J. Stockwell unfolds Jack’s story, painting a poignant picture of an alcoholic, drug-addicted, mentally ill homeless man navigating the lonely streets of Seattle. Drawing from his own experiences, Stockwell takes readers to the fringes of society, guiding them through social services and the criminal justice system alongside Jack.
Stockwell, a Seattle native turned prosecutor, shares his journey from skateboarding and punk rock to legal practice. Through Jack’s eyes, readers explore Seattle’s unseen corners – from crack dens and psychiatric hospitals to homeless encampments and county jails.
The first book, “Sleeping in the Daytime,” follows the charming Jack as he weaves through people’s lives. In “Courting Mediocrity,” the second book, Jack grapples with making the right choices, offering entertaining yet misguided decisions. In the final instalment, “Squatting in the Shadow of an Ant,” Jack, now in prison, continues his downward spiral. No longer a wayward youth, he transforms into a hopeless societal burden. Where does Jack’s journey ultimately lead?
Stockwell describes the series as a “coming-of-age narrative” with nihilistic and bleak undertones. Jack’s understanding of life evolves through suffering, leaving readers with a profound perspective.
Photos – courtesy of Christopher Stockwell ©
Explore Stockwell’s books or the complete series, “The Complete Down and Out in Seattle and Tacoma Series,” available on Amazon.com.
About Christopher J. Stockwell: From skateboarding enthusiast and punk rock lover to an alcoholic homeless man and city prosecutor, Christopher Stockwell brings a diverse life experience spanning nearly five decades. A ninth-grade dropout turned lawyer, Stockwell leverages his journey to delve into the counterculture and societal underbelly. Beyond his legal career, he advocates for employment rights, providing pro bono services to exploited employees. Stockwell’s writings reflect a punk rock worldview, challenging societal norms and expressing his ongoing discontent with the world.
