Beneath its paranormal, utopian quest plot and woven throughout its framework of Jungian psychology, the HERETICS IN OCCUPIED EDEN series includes a whimsical and idiosyncratic compendium of cultural literacy that stretches far beyond the conventional canon of Western Civilization. How’s that for a sentence in serious need of unpacking?
So far, with four books published and a fifth due out later this year, the series contains references to 80 novels and an equal number of films and plays, as well as more than 300 songs and musical pieces. Allusions and quotations from the scriptures of nine distinct religious traditions are included. To be sure, not all of the references are highbrow. Eleven beer brands are mentioned, along with ten naturist facilities and 163 entertainers. The most cited composer (as well as lyricist and singer) is John Lennon. In addition to Shakespeare, fiction writers with repeated mentions are Lewis Carroll, Robert A. Heinlein, D. H. Lawrence, J. K. Rowling, Mark Twain, and Oscar Wilde.
The two most quoted poets in the series are John Donne and Emily Dickinson. Though their deaths were separated by two and a half centuries, I can imagine the metaphysical and charismatically seductive John Donne eagerly pursuing the affections of shy, skeptical, yet equally metaphysical Emily Dickinson. Who knows? Such an amorous adventure could be happening today in that fantastic, anachronistic land where poems are born and flourish like unclad lilies of the field. Yes, I can see it now, and Emily is aglow from John’s irresistible ardor. Maybe I should add this scene to the sixth HERETICS book.
