Book Review: Finding Casey by Nathan Jarelle

Reviewed by Samantha Hui

Trapped by a broken system, a girl fights to reclaim herself and regain hope.

“Four walls. Encased behind steel. / Yes, still, the system steals the dreams / of men whose destiny it is to still dream.”

The world can be harsh and unforgiving, and often, there’s little we can do about it. But sometimes, the real struggle lies in recognizing that we also play a role in holding ourselves back.

Nathan Jarelle’s Finding Casey offers a poignant and empathetic exploration of the abuse and corruption within the criminal justice system. It delves into how such a system can deeply affect one’s sense of self and self-worth, creating a vicious cycle of repeating past mistakes. Through authentic portrayals of characters suffering through addiction and suffering the traumas of abuse, Finding Casey is unflinching in its depiction of these challenges, yet ultimately hopeful.

“Look, if you’re gonna mourn, learn to mourn with a hobby. If you don’t have one, get one. That’s the only way you’re gonna make it in here. Life’s gonna happen whether you like or not.”

Casey experiences despair from an early age, shuffled between abusive, neglectful relatives and taunted by children who mock her albinism. Caught between two worlds (Black, yet mistaken for white ), she struggles with a deep sense of not belonging. But her circumstances seem to improve when the well-to-do Haughtons adopt her at thirteen.

Casey gains a kind sister, Courtney, who becomes her confidant and protector. Yet the damage is already done. Distrustful of kindness and fueled by anger, Casey pushes away those who care for her. She turns to drinking to numb the pain, stealing to fund her drug habit, and resenting others to avoid facing her own issues.

“She noticed her bully reflection staring back at her. Flashes of her childhood flickered on the shattered surface.”

At seventeen, Casey’s life takes a darker turn when she’s caught robbing a convenience store at gunpoint with two boys. Though still a minor, she’s charged as an adult and sentenced to fifteen years in prison. Within the confines of the St. Agnes Reformatory Center for Women, Casey is forced to confront her past, reconcile with Courtney, and navigate the difficult transition from childhood to adulthood behind bars. Though Casey has a felony on her record, she is not a criminal. Ultimately, Casey Haughton will need to determine who she is and what kind of person she will become.

“I’m here today because I’m hoping you’ll allow me to somehow go back the way I came and find a new route to take.”

The novel is brilliantly paced, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in each scene. We feel Casey’s anxiety and fear as she watches inmates and correctional officers assault each other, her elation when her parole is approved, and the frustration and disappointment when she relapses. Casey’s character development is anything but linear; her growth is fluid, like the ebb and flow of a river.

What makes Casey so compelling, despite her hotheadedness and impulsivity, is her genuine desire to improve. No matter the setback, she never returns to square one; she learns from her mistakes. Additionally, through glimpses of Casey’s childhood, where she longed to be good, to giggle, and to be loved, we understand that the adult Casey, making mistakes, is still carrying the child who was never allowed to fully grow.

“Her soul departed each time their lips connected, liberating her from the enslavement of her own self-consciousness.”

Finding Casey is a raw portrayal of personal transformation and the impact of systemic injustice. Nathan Jarelle crafts characters who are often dangerously imperfect, but they are nonetheless deserving of love, forgiveness, and change.

Readers looking for a story about resilience, redemption, and hope will find much to connect with in this novel of personal struggle. Through this journey, we come to understand what practical empathy looks like in the face of larger systemic issues.

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