RANDOLPH Marks, a 32-year-old law enforcement officer from Guyana, is making waves in the literary world with the upcoming release of his third book, Look What They Have Turned Me Into. Inspired by a movie, the novel tells the poignant story of Randy, a Guyanese immigrant navigating life in the United States.

From a young age, Randy grapples with the harsh realities of racial discrimination from peers and authority figures, which chips away at his self-esteem and fuels his anger. The book delves into themes of racism, bullying, and marginalisation, exploring how these experiences shape his character. Ultimately, Randy’s journey takes a dark turn as he becomes a contract killer, driven by years of hatred and resentment.

Marks’ work not only highlights the struggles faced by immigrants but also invites readers to reflect on the broader societal issues of discrimination and violence. With his unique perspective and background, Marks brings an important narrative to light in contemporary literature.
During his time in college, Marks shared that one of the classes he attended was an English class where he wrote an essay on a book by renowned comedian and author Trevor Noah, called ‘Born a Crime.’

This book reminded him of Guyanese culture, and how he grew up. “The book really touched me in a way, where I wanted to write my own book. So, that’s what inspired me to write my first book, A Thin Line Between Dreams and Nightmares,” Marks told the Sunday Chronicle. This was published between 2022 and 2023.
According to Marks, when he wrote his first book, the intention was for it to be fictional. However, he said about 95 percent of the book is non-fiction.

His second book titled, “From The Other Side”, was published last year and written while he was working at a Juvenile Detention Centre. It touches on topics such as crime, discrimination, mental health and fear.
At present, Marks’books are available on Goodreads, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon. His recent book can also be found on Scribd and Draft2Digital.

Who is Randolph Marks?
Marks was born in Skeldon, East Berbice Corentyne. He spent most of his childhood in Rose Hall, and moved to the United States as a teen. He later attended a US college where he studied criminal justice. This task was no easy one. Marks revealed that at one point he had to drop out of college but he returned to achieve his dream of becoming a ‘cop’.
“Everything you want in life, you can get it and no matter where in this world you at, you can always get anything in life, you just got to put your mind to it.”

He also emphasised that it’s important to escape situations or environments that can harm you; you don’t have to stay rooted in the place where you were born.
“If you’re born in Rose Hall, and Rose Hall is not doing anything for you, and you’re just getting in trouble or you just not elevated in life, move out of there, go to Georgetown, you know, or if you’re in Georgetown and Georgetown is not doing nothing for you, move out of there, go to Linden,” he encouraged.
He added, “Move, never, never settle in one place if that place is not doing for you because you’re going to wind up dying there, and you’re going to wind up never escalating in life. You got to move out of that situation and move out of that, that area where you are, and start new. It’s never too late to start new, just like it’s never too late to step up in life it’s never too late to do this it’s never late to do that.”