Don't Judge a Book by its Mythology

I fell off my seat laughing, and just had to share!

Alright, today is officially Monday, and I did promise a friend of mine I'd highlight him today. Ladies and gentlemen, introducing to you a LinkedIn.com buddy of mine, Gerard de Marigny!

Gerard is, like myself, a first time author. Check out his website here. He is a Christian Author, as he will explain on his site. I'm not a Christian myself, but I hardly think that matters. A good story is a good story, no matter which world-view it is written from, and let me tell you, the premise of Gerard's début novel, (looking for representation to all you agents and publishers out there) and series is simply fantastic. I can't wait to read it myself. I'm not just saying that.

The story in his own words:

On September 11, 2020, Islamic extremists detonate a “suitcase” nuclear device in downtown Manhattan. In retaliation, the United States launches OPERATION WHITE HORSE, unknowingly opening the “FIRST SEAL” of the book of Revelation, beginning the Tribulation. Lead by a man named BIAN-ATHAR, God chooses four heroes to be His CHAMPIONS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. Like the biblical Samson, they are Nazirites endowed with special gifts. They are to protect God’s “first fruits,” people selected to survive the Tribulation. Meanwhile, Satan, in the human personage of the mysterious AMEN NEBTAWI, enlists the help of men to pursue and kill God's chosen. Bian-Athar and the Champions find themselves in a race against time to prevent an attack on the scale of the "2nd 9/11." Yet, they cannot stop the prophetic countdown of 2,520 days. As the White Horseman withdraws …the Red Horseman approaches from the East!

THE FIRST SEAL is book one of my SAGA OF THE SEVEN SEALS Christian fiction series. Each book in the series represents one of the seven seals of revelation and each chronicles one year of the last seven horrific years

How cool does that sound? I think it's going to make for an incredibly exciting story.

Now, most people in my immediate circle of friends would be entirely put off by the Christian narrative and it got me thinking. Why? Why is there this stigma against Christian Fiction? The Christian Mythos is a perfectly legitimate mythology, filled with all the same kinds of magic and wonder as other mythologies, yet it is somehow considered beneath inclusion in Fantasy of any kind. That's not fair! Why is Druidism fair game for Fantasy consumption, and Christianity not? It doesn't make sense.

Christianity has a pretty bad rap amongst non-Christians... even Western non-Christians (at least, my Western non-Christian friends) and, frankly, that's not fair. Sure there are the die-hard fanatics that scream and froth at the mouth, but you get that with almost every religion. Maybe Buddhism is a little more laid back (I've yet to meet a fanatical Buddhist), but I have met fanatical Jews, Muslims, Pagans (yes, fanatical Pagans) and Sikhs. All of them are just as bad as fanatical Christians. There are also wonderful Christians, who are a credit to humanity let alone their faith (M.K., I'm talking about you here).

So, don't discriminate on fiction because it draws on a mythology you disagree with (let's face it, how many of you believe that Orcs and Elves and Trolls actually did/do exist? If you do, you need a serious reality check!). Read the story for what it is - a story, and trust me when I say, Gerard de Marigny's story will definitely be worth the read.

Here's a new author I'm thoroughly excited about. Good luck g, and remember me when you're rich and famous!