BooksChatter: ℚ To The Promised Land: A Novel of Freedom and Redemption: De Anima [3]

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author Michael Boylan to talk about To The Promised Land: A Novel of Freedom and Redemption (13 July 2015, Booktrope Editions, 196 pages) a literary fiction mystery.

Author Q&A | Synopsis | Teaser | The Series | About the Author | Tour Stops

A big welcome to Michael Boylan, thank you for joining us on BooksChatter.

What was the inspiration for To The Promised Land?

"The idea of forgiveness both at the interpersonal level and at the general social level. To be an authentic human living on the earth we must all come to some conclusions on forgiveness."

How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?

"Though one of the main characters is a philosopher (and I am a philosopher) there is a separation between us. Every character comes from the author so that there is something from the author in every character. But no character is “me.”"

The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your cover for To The Promised Land - why you chose that concept.

"One of the main characters is a lawyer, Moses Levi. He gets a big chemical company off the hook after they polluted a water supply to a small town killing 1,500 people and injuring 10x that amount. Thus, on the cover you see a man, Moses, counting the money he made while behind him are the crying ghosts of the people he killed. Moses’ only hope is to turn to the religion of his birth, Judaism. Thus there is the Star of David, slightly hidden in the background."

Why should we read To The Promised Land and what sets it apart from the rest? What makes your book unique?

"This is a murder mystery. Most everyone likes to read a murder mystery. However, this is one with an aftertaste, the presentation of problems having to do with forgiveness. This is a rather unique combination."

Can you tell us something quirky about To The Promised Land, its story and characters?

"Well, many people have heard of Moses Levi and his wife who are also in the Torah book of Exodus. There is also a Joshua character (nicknamed Josh) who contends with Moses for leadership—and is a suspect for his murder. And then there is Peter Simon, who takes an entirely different approach (some might say a backward approach) and is also a suspect in Moses’ disappearance. Those who have studied the Torah (or the Christian “Old Testament”) might find these coincidences reinforce the murder mystery"

Who would you recommend To The Promised Land to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"Well, you have to like mysteries. You have to have some taste for U.S. national politics. And you should have an inclination for a love story. There are all here. "

If you could / wished to turn To The Promised Land into a movie, who would be your dream team?

"For Moses Ian McKellen (in his prime), for Peter Simon I’d pick Ewan McGregor, for Andrea I’d choose Marion Cotillard.

I would shoot it in Washington, DC (on location) and in southern Minnesota at Carleton College.

I would have Michael Haneke as the director."

What do you like to write and read about? Do you stick to a particular genre or do you like to explore different ones?

"This is the third book in my De Anima series of novels that explore the various worldviews that people have as they confront life. Each of the novels emphasizes one of the major worldviews that have existed in recorded history. The stories focus this worldview on a problem that confronts the key characters. In this case it is a murder mystery about who killed Moses Levi and the significance of the journal he left behind to his onetime friend, Peter Simon.

As a former college English literature teacher (I’m now a college Philosophy teacher) I have a very catholic appreciation for many different genres. I have always enjoyed thoughtful mysteries."

What is your writing process?

"I write around 350 days a year. I think about what I wrote the day before when I am not writing so that when I sit down to write, I can get right to it. I am also relentless about deadlines."

What is in store next?

"I am polishing up the first book of another novel series that explores the four major turns that can be taken with the novel (as first begun in 18th century UK ). That novel, Naked Reverse, is a book of suspense and a love story. The last volume in my De Anima series is called Maya. That book should be ready for publication in 2017"

And as a final quirky thing, to get to know you a little bit better... do you have a pet or something that is special to you that you could share with us?