Читать книгу When Demons Float - Susan Thistlethwaite - Страница 8

The University of Chicago is, of course, a real place, but no people, events, or even structures described in this work of fiction are real, with the exception of Rockefeller Chapel. I do also refer to the well-publicized struggles over “political correctness” at the university. The latter forms the backdrop for one scene.2

While the events depicted in this novel are fictional, sadly enough, colleges and universities around the country are being subjected to attacks by white supremacists in various ways. In my view, this is an assault on the very purpose of higher education. One of my main reasons for creating this work of fiction, therefore, and locating it on what could literally be one of dozens of university campuses, was to allow the reader to see the destructive nature of this kind of extremism and realize how difficult it is to counter it.

On a positive note, I would like to acknowledge my husband, Dr. J. Richard Thistlethwaite, Jr. for his unfailing support of all my writing, and for his willingness to put up with being asked numerous questions. I would like to thank my sons James Thistlethwaite, Doug Thistlewolf, and Bill Thistlethwaite, and our extended family, for their love and support. I particularly need to thank Bill and his son Rowan for technical advice on how kids can get around parental controls on electronic devices.

I would like to thank Rev. Nathan Dannison for his insight into how white supremacists recruit young, white males online through the chat rooms of violent video games. I have incorporated that idea into the novel with his permission. In addition, Rev. Dannison, and his work to try to prevent the recruitment of young, white males into white supremacy, and get them out, is the inspiration for a pastor character in the novel.

Thanks need to go out to Rev. Jane Fisler Hoffman, retired United Church of Christ Conference Minister and pastor. Jane reads all drafts of my novels and gives me detailed feedback. She is the inspiration for the University Chaplain character. In addition, I would like to thank Cherry Gallagher, an experienced book editor and friend. Cherry, as does Jane, gives me the gift of honest feedback, and that kind of intellectual challenge is truly priceless.

There is now a community of people who read my novels and give me encouragement and comments online and in person. Some of these folks have used my novels in book clubs, and I have therefore, once again, included suggestions for book club discussion questions at the end.

Among these readers is Dr. Mary E. Hunt, liberation theologian and co-founder of W.A.T.E.R., the Women’s Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual. Mary wrote an article on how three feminist theologians, myself included, have started writing fiction. I highly recommend all the novels she reviews.3

Dr. Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, the Krister Stendahl Professor of Divinity at Harvard Divinity School, asked me for copies of the first two mysteries and she wants to include them in a feminist theology courses. I am very honored by this.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge the courage of those who resist the demonic deformations of white supremacy day in and day out. This is a terrible struggle, and it can even be a struggle to death.

We must call white supremacy by its proper name. It is Evil and we must defeat it.

2. Richard Pérez-Peña, Mitch Smith, and Stephanie Saul, “University of Chicago Strikes Back at Campus Political Correctness,” The New York Times (August 26, 2016).

3. Mary E. Hunt, “Feminist Theologians Bring Wisdom to Fiction,” National Catholic Reporter (May 29, 2019). Accessed July 23, 2019.

https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/feminist-theologians-bring-wisdom -fiction.