Too Many Humans
Not Enuf Souls
In the midst of writing my latest novel—Otzi’s Odyssey - The Troubled Soul of a Neolithic Iceman, I came upon an announcement (shown above), stenciled onto a sidewalk in Manhattan. As I took the photo, I paused to dwell upon its message, causing me to wonder:
When is that moment when an embryo is ensouled?
Does this once unencumbered soul, decide upon its mother and father, or its gender before ensoulment takes place?
If, as this message suggests, there were not enough souls, what happens to the void it creates and how is such a vacuum filled?
These questions stimulated a trove of ideas, allowing me to build the world where our hero—Bhark, struggles to earn his redemption among the four demonic realms of Gehenna.
The quote above, by the Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner, has encouraged me to consider the following eternal questions regarding the journey of the soul:
Does our biography conclude upon our death, or will it continue upon our arrival into the spiritual realm?
Where do we dwell during our time between death and rebirth?
Whom do we meet at this in between time, and what agreements do we take on?
How is the moment of our rebirth decided upon?
Is there a purpose we are destined to pursue when born again?
Since the passing of my son earlier this year, writing has since become my spiritual practice, a place where I can assemble the mysteries of the ethereal puzzle, and in turn, build a story around these perplexing questions.
I would love to hear from you and your thoughts on what’s posted here.
Ötzi's Odyssey - The Troubled Soul of a Neolithic Iceman
Editorial Review by The Prairies Book Review
Richly researched, ornately plotted... A page-turner.
Gordon's latest is a deeply engrossing metaphysical tale of one soul's journey to redemption. When a mummified man, half frozen in glacial ice, is discovered by two hikers, it's just the beginning of a treacherous journey into the four demonic realms of Gehenna for the five-thousand-year-old soul of Bhark. Bhark must prepare for a vicious war if he wants to find salvation and redemption of his eternal soul.
This is an intriguing story, haunting and moving, set in the violent, terrifying world of both living and dead, a world in which soul hunters prey on innocent souls, making them captives for eternity. This is also the story of family bonds, love, revenge, and redemption.
The novel, narrated by Bhark from the discovery of Ötzi's body, crisscrosses through time, cutting between past and present. This structure, which might have become a distraction in a novice writer's hands, adds to the story's intrigue. Gordon's vivid imagery, deft characterization, and entertaining storytelling carry the reader through this suspenseful tale.
A haunting, visceral novel that will keep the reader awake until they turn the last page.
To learn more about my books, go to: NeilPerryGordon.com
Otzi’s Odyssey - The Troubled Soul of a Neolithic Iceman - now available as E-Book or Paperback. Soon to be published in Audio.