Roy Evans is a former High
School teacher; Minister; Counselor and Commercial Photographer who now
lives in Palm Springs, California where he has worked in the
hospitality industry for the past fifteen years. He is a very
avid reader. He remains a great fan of and has everything that
Gordon Merrick ever published in book form, in all their
versions. Several years ago he picked up a copy of 'The Soccer
Field Is Empty' by Mark Roeder from a sale bin and was, by reference,
introduced to the works of Ron Donaghe, Mark Kendrick and other modern
Gay writers. This added breadth to an always-expanding field of
reading interest. for him, writing reviews are a means of sharing
and recommending some of these experiences. He can be contacted
at tullyroad@netscape.com
The God In Flightby Laura Argiri
Paperback: 496 pages
Publisher: Penguin Books; Reprint edition (May 1, 1996)
ISBN: 0140254137
Even in a specialized genre like ours, some books rise to the surface, go beyond the average five star ranking and create a class of their own, Each of us has our own list for reasons that are special to us. I now have three that I can say fit in a separate realm. It is unusual for me to like a fantasy novel this much, but Ron Donaghe's Cinátis makes it. There is also my all time favorite by Marion Zimmer Bradley, The Catch Trap. I can safely add The God In Flight by Laura Argiri to my list.
The God In Flight was published in 1994 so is not considered new fiction. It took the author eighteen years to complete and the detail and professionalism are evident. It is a period piece, often referred to as Victorian style writing. It is set in the early-mid nineteenth century and the research needed to stay true to the era is obvious.
Several vivid and well defined characters make up this novel, but in the end, it is about young Simion Satterwhite and his journey through eleven years of his life. Most of us have learned that we are not entirely of our own creation. We are a product of the personalities and physical situations we have had to deal with in our early years and, in some cases, just trying to survive. Simion's adventure is unique only in that it happens to him. We can have empathy and sympathy for him because we have seen or experienced some of it in our own lives. The story is tight, involved, well crafted and informative. It brings the reader into and makes him a part of the action. When you finish, you will sit quietly for a moment while your mind returns to the reality around you, sigh and softly say 'Wow'. It is that good! If you were not an avid reader before, you will be now. It is addicting. This is the one that will get you hooked!
Ms. Argiri has some notable thoughts that may even become part of your thought process and are worthy quotes. An example would be 'Growing up is the slow process of learning to tell oneself the truth.' 'There is no love quite like that you have for someone who truly wants you to have your freedom.' 'Lovemaking is the consolation for living in the body just as art is the consolation for living in the world.' Her brief and to the point description of a New England winter reminds me a bit of Arkansas as a boy and very glad that I now live in Palm Springs!
A word of caution - after reading this book, you will spend your allowance, get a second job and go into hock so all of your friends can have a copy! Do not give yours away, you will read it again.