Is Malthus Revisited Spiritual?
A number of reviewers have referred to my latest novel, Malthus Revisited, as ‘spiritual.’ Until a recent review, I did not stop to ponder why. The reviewer wrote that he was ‘disappointed’ that I ‘resorted to the supernatural’ in writing what he thought was an intriguing plot and the compelling character of Joe Cairns. Familiar with the Malthusian theory, he believed that the supernatural element in the story detracted from a good read.
It’s the negative, the critical comments that shouts out at us. That we remember. Always.
Maybe because this man framed his negative comments carefully in the midst of several positive ones, I’ve stopped to ponder why this story felt far from supernatural when I wrote it. Why it felt entirely natural- albeit unusual- for my antagonist Joe Cairns, to have a relationship with King David, the ancient Israeli king. Consequently, this piece: Is Malthus Revisited Spiritual?
Here’s some background
Ten years ago, one of my husband John’s former patients called for help with numerous crises in his life. Among the suggestions my psychologist husband gave to the former combat veteran was prayer. When the ex-patient asked, “Who should I pray to?” John asked if there was anyone in his Catholic upbringing he could relate to, the man answered yes, “King David. He was a warrior, like me.”In my Christian Catholic reality, these saints- I think David is one although I have never read that- are more real than this secular virtual reality we swim in..
During a subsequent conversation with the patient a couple of months later, John asked what had happened with the prayer. “I know it sounds crazy, John, but I see him. King David talks to me… he gives me advice. Good advice.”
Physicists suggest that this material world is less than four percent of the over ninety-six percent of what they call ‘dark matter’ that we exist in. And that just under four percent of our bodies is composed of material substance. The remaining ninety-six percent is…energy.
While writing A Price for Genius, Joe Cairns presented a humongous challenge to me.
- How do I create a credible assassain?
- How did he get from decorated soldier to hired killer?
- And ended up being one of my favorite characters.
Praying the Liturgy of the Hours
for over ten years has evoked a friendship with this ancient Israeli King. I write ‘friendship’ because of the deep thought, prayer and numerous writings prompted by his fall from grace. Such that each time I read these words in the second book of Samuel, I feel deep sorrow:
At the time of year, when kings go out on campaign, David sent out Joab along with his officer and the army of Israel, and they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. David, however, remained in Jerusalem.
Just five words but their portent haunted me from the very first time that I read the heartbreaking story of David and Bathsheba. David personifies the fragility of all human commitment, integrity, honor, and nobility…”
It isn’t as if King David opened his eyes that morning, to ask, ‘What are the 3 most effective ways I can take this blessed God-given- life and invoke the worst conceivable miseries upon me and on everyone I love?’…
The Insidiousness of Sin
