Book Jacket

 

rank 6479 (-129)
word count 158663
date submitted 25.04.2009
date updated 25.04.2009
genres: Fiction, Literary Fiction
classification: universal
complete

Advance The Fates

David A. Ross

 

One man's epic journey from designing smart bombs for the US Military to planting a winter garden on a Greek Island.

 

Feeling burned out, fragmented, ineffectual and plagued by guilt and remorse after helping to design guidance systems and smart bombs for the US Military, Doran Seeger decides that a prolonged sabbatical in Europe might somehow offer him renewal.

Wandering from country to country, he encounters new societies and new ideas, falls in and out of love, and tries his hand at more than a few curious professions, yet after ten years abroad he still struggles to appease his conscience.

Living in Prague and working as an underground art dealer, a chance encounter with the sister of his former lover persuades him to return to Greece, where a society that embraces real civility, not to mention a few idiosyncrasies, tenderly draws the habitual itinerant out of reticence and cynicism.

With his longtime Greek friend Modestos at his side, Doran plants a winter garden. As he patiently tills the Grecian soil, he reclaims his integrity, his sense of joy, and his humanity.

 
 

tags

expatriation, greece, guilt, humanity, love, prague, relationships, remorse, renewel, romance, smart bombs, us military

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4 comments

 

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PATRICK BARRETT wrote 491 days ago

This is fascinating stuff. I can't get the vision of orbiting dolphins out of my head. I like the main character and I am happy to follow him to see what develops. On my shelf to read more. Patrick Barrett (Shakespeares Cuthbert)

Joanna Stephen-Ward wrote 492 days ago

Hello David,

Further to my comments yesterday, this is now on my shelf.

Joanna







Joanna Stephen-Ward wrote 495 days ago

The cover is excellent, giving clues as to what the story is about. The pitch is intriguing with two completely differing occupations - smart bombs for the USA and planting a winter garden in Greece. A huge shift of lifestyle. You tell us about his work without going into the nitty gritty and probably boring details. He is a man with problems. Missing father, missing girfriend. Well written and engaging.

If I had one quibble it's that all the names are too unusual - Doran, Xanthe, Kenya. Maybe it's just me, so take no notice if these are everyday names in the USA.

I think this will do well. On my Watch List till I make room on my shelf tonight.

Joanna

Lord Dunno wrote 495 days ago

Great beginning to this. 'Are you willing to commit industrial espionage for the sake of art?' 'Stealing for love'... great concepts mixed in with ancient mythology and pretty rounded characters. Xanthe and her scientific space art. Doran crippled with guilt... everything tricks the boxes, even the disorientation at crossing the time zones. Yes, man, yes!

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