The Devil All the Time by Donald Ray Pollock is a dark, gritty novel set in rural Ohio and West Virginia, spanning from the aftermath of World War II to the 1960s. The story weaves together the lives of several interconnected characters, all haunted by their own sins and desires. Central to the plot is Arvin Russell, a young man raised by a pious yet troubled family. As he grows up, he encounters a range of morally corrupt figures, including a sadistic preacher, a corrupt sheriff, and a pair of murderous photographers. The novel explores themes of violence, faith, and the cycle of trauma across generations. With its atmospheric setting and complex characters, The Devil All the Time paints a bleak portrait of rural America.
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