Every so often, a new and sensational idea causes humanity to question the fundamental principles of existence and catalyzes the notion that not everything is as it appears. In the new and exciting novel "Waking God," AU alumnus Philip F. Harris and co-author Brian F. Doe take a look at a series of these groundbreaking and revolutionary ideas and tickle the reader's imagination through a journey of discovery that enlightens the reader to new perspectives on the very foundations of morality and truth.
"Waking God," which arrived in bookstores last July, is a story of biblical conflict and otherworldly intrigue, in which fantasy and science fiction meet the time-honored traditions of spiritual discourse, and conspiratorial essence guides the act. The story focuses on the adventures of Andrew, a Bostonian scholar of theology and comparative religion, who in his quest for greater knowledge and a unified theory of religious understanding comes across Mara, an illustrious personage of beauty and secrecy. What is extremely special about Mara is that, although she's just 21 years old, she has lived seven very different lives.
Andrew realizes that Mara is the girl that he has seen in his dreams for some time and begins to understand that his meeting her, which correlates with the dramatic upheaval of a major world religion and his subsequent trip to Rome, might be of sacred significance. Mara's later abduction by a secretive organization that had sought her capture since her birth causes Andrew to have a sense of concern that is later superseded by his own kidnapping. Andrew then begins a personal quest to understand the circumstances of his new experiences.
In this thriller, which goes on to explore the origins of the human race and its connections to supernatural phenomena such as aliens, deities, ghosts, demons and the physical fabric of reality, Harris analyzes many components of global heritage and spiritual beliefs. He later recollected these to write the novel, "The Eagle."
It was as a special education teacher at a school in upstate New York that Harris met Doe, who is also an English teacher. They taught classes together and developed a friendship that continues, as evidenced by their most recent collaboration which they wrote at the New York school. The events of 9/11 deeply affected Harris, making him reflect on the dangerous consequences of religious extremism. He combined this idea, as well as his sentiment that many religious institutions detract from their messages of higher spiritual fulfillment for humanity in order to fulfill selfish ends, into a novel which calls humanity to open its eyes to the current state of affairs.
Harris earned his bachelor's degree in political science through what was then known as AU's School of Government and Public Administration. In addition to writing, he has worked for the government, including his position as the Rural Policy Coordinator for the Federal Regional Council of New England, and his appointment to a Carter Administration commission on national rural policy. His latest work, "A Maine Christmas Carol," is a remake of the 1843 Dickins classic and centers on the tribulations of adolescence. "A Maine Christmas Carol" will be released on Dec. 12.
Doe is also the author of "Barley and Gold," a 2001 release that examines the trials of living life and how best to confront the past.
