Evacuation Route by Chris Dungey is an epic saga of friendship, love, family, and loss set against the background of an impending hurricane about to hit the Florida coast. Walter Bocewicz has been through his share of self-inflicted pain and suffering, including two failed marriages, two trips to prison, alcoholism, and subsequent rehabilitation, not to mention the almost total alienation of his family and friends. But Walter is about to begin a new life, with a new woman, and is determined to get it right this time. With his inheritance in his pocket, he is ready to begin anew. Still, the impending Florida storm, his new girlfriend’s biker gang son, and a street-savvy hooker all combine to take him on the biggest and most dangerous adventure of his lifetime. 

Evacuation Route was a satisfying read, principally because author Chris Dungey took the time and effort to give his characters a depth and interest that is so often missing from these stories. I particularly appreciated that the principal role players were all living on the margins of society, which added to their color and fascination. Despite coming from a privileged background, Walter knew his shortcomings and was not afraid to hit rock bottom before beginning the climb to self-salvation. The insight into the dark world of a biker gang and the motivations of the characters involved remind us again that judging people by their appearance is often a mistake. Equally, the loving, caring relationship between the two “working girls” just served to reinforce this maxim. I also enjoyed the journey into the backwoods of Florida and its Creole people, their language, and their way of life. The language is unique to the region and gives the book a point of difference. Despite its length, this book is easily readable and difficult to put down. I enjoyed this story immensely and highly recommend it.

Evacuation Route by Chris Dungey follows Walter Bocewicz, who moves to Florida’s Nature Coast with an inheritance. His past includes two divorces, multiple arrests, and unsuccessful rehab stints. He reconnects with his brother Warren, a pharmacist who is preparing to shut down their family’s failing drugstore. Walter attempts to settle into the area’s rough social scene while confronting economic hardship during the Great Recession. His relationship with a woman draws in her volatile biker son, and deteriorating weather conditions add pressure to an already unstable life. While Walter resists relapse, he stores medication for potential use. As the brothers consider selling the pharmacy building, their shared history resurfaces. The story traces their uneasy alliance through financial decisions, personal setbacks, and the winding path of their final chapter in Jacksonville.

Evacuation Route by Chris Dungey is carried by strong, consistent writing and a main character whose voice remains memorable throughout. The dialogue feels earned, and moments of humor are used with control. The scenes frequently read as vignettes, and I thought this style worked really well in giving us genuine slice-of-life moments, all working into the overriding arc. Dungey adds incredibly human elements to the work, and the tone is pitch-perfect, authentically creating substance. The pacing allows characters to feel lived-in without excess, and interactions between Walter and Warren contain just enough edge to feel grounded in shared time. Dungey's focus is maintained and, even though this is a sizeable novel, the avoidance of heavy moral commentary, favoring realism over resolution, and delivering precise language, an unpolished setting, and individuals shaped by long habits keep the pages turning. Very highly recommended.