Evil Never Sleeps in The Devil All the Time | Brutally Honest Book & Audiobook Review

1. About the Author: Donald Ray Pollock

Donald Ray Pollock, born in the gritty backwoods town of Knockemstiff, Ohio, is not your average literary figure. Before publishing his first story, he worked for over 30 years in a paper mill. This blue-collar past bleeds into every sentence of his fiction—raw, unpolished, and unrelenting.

Pollock’s writing career took off with the short story collection Knockemstiff (2008), but it was his debut novel The Devil All the Time (2011) that cemented him as a brutal chronicler of America’s underbelly. His style is deeply rooted in the Southern Gothic tradition—violent, moralistic, and terrifyingly human.

2. About the Narrator: Mark Bramhall

Mark Bramhall is a seasoned stage actor and voice performer known for his atmospheric narrations across horror, thriller, and classic literature. His voice is dark, steady, and compelling—perfectly suited for the haunted world of The Devil All the Time.

Bramhall doesn’t just read; he embodies each character, whether it’s a delusional preacher, a battle-scarred veteran, or a serial killer with an artist’s eye. His pacing and tone create a soundscape where listeners feel every tremor of fear and despair.

3. About the Book: The Devil All the Time

The Devil All the Time is a bleak, multi-threaded narrative set in post-WWII southern Ohio and West Virginia—a place ravaged by war, faith gone wrong, and generational violence. It weaves together a cast of morally bankrupt and broken characters: Willard Russell, a traumatized war veteran obsessed with sacrificial prayers; his orphaned son Arvin, who grows up amidst violence and vengeance; and the infamous couple Carl and Sandy Henderson, who kill hitchhikers and photograph their corpses as “art.”

Key Highlights:

• Genre: Southern Gothic, crime noir, psychological fiction

• Goodreads rating: 4.1/5 from 100,000+ readers

• Award: Grand Prix de Littérature Policière (2012 – Best Foreign Crime Novel)

• Adaptation: Netflix film (2020) starring Tom Holland and Robert Pattinson

This is not a book for the faint of heart. But if you dare open its pages, it will burn itself into your memory.

4. Book Review: The Devil All the Time

The Devil All the Time is not a story—it’s a scream. Donald Ray Pollock strips away the mask of morality to reveal the festering rot beneath. The narrative doesn’t ask for your approval. It demands your surrender.

Strengths:

• Masterfully interwoven plotlines

• Deeply developed, unforgettable characters

• Cinematic, visceral prose that punches hard

Weaknesses:

• Excessive violence and disturbing themes may turn off some readers

• Emotionally draining and unrelenting tone

This isn’t escapism. It’s confrontation. It’s literature wielded like a weapon—and one of the most searing crime novels of the 21st century.

5. Audiobook Review: The Devil All the Time by Mark Bramhall

Mark Bramhall’s narration turns The Devil All the Time into something beyond literature—a psychological experience. His calm yet chilling delivery elevates the horror by never overplaying it. He whispers when others would scream, making each scene more intimate, more terrifying.

Highlights:

• Flawless character voice differentiation

• Cinematic pacing enhances the story’s tension

• Adds emotional weight to already brutal moments

Audible Rating:

4.5/5 stars — highly praised for performance and immersion.

If the novel is a razor, the audiobook is the slow drag across the skin.

6. Who Should Read or Listen to This?

This book is not for readers seeking hope, comfort, or moral clarity.

It’s perfect for:

• Fans of Southern Gothic, psychological noir, or literary horror

• Readers who enjoy Cormac McCarthy, Flannery O’Connor, or dark American realism

• Audiobook listeners who crave intense, character-driven performances

• Anyone curious about the American psyche stripped bare

If you’re willing to descend into the darkness, The Devil All the Time will show you what’s staring back.

7. Final Verdict

The Devil All the Time by Donald Ray Pollock is a literary reckoning. Through his grim storytelling and Mark Bramhall’s haunting audiobook performance, this work becomes a study in corrupted faith, inherited trauma, and the brutality we hide behind righteousness.

It’s one of the most powerful audiobook experiences you’ll ever have—if you have the courage to press play.

8. Where to Listen to the Audiobook

You can find The Devil All the Time audiobook on:

• Audiobooks.com – stream or download anytime.

• Audible.com – narrated by Mark Bramhall, available in high-quality audio.

Both platforms offer free trials for new users. This au