It seems that "spiritual fiction" and "metaphysical parables" are pouring
off the printers' presses almost as frequently as newspapers these days.
Now I don't deny that most have a worthy message to impart. Nor do I wish
to belittle the valuable service so many spiritual teachers and gurus are
performing in trying to "wake up the world" with this new form of
'metaphysical fiction'. But there's no ignoring the fact that even some
of the best-known names in this arena have fallen into the trap of
believing that so long as the message is a good one, the medium doesn't
matter.
The trouble is, it does matter... it matters a great deal. The way I see
it is that the more important the message is, the more crucial it is for
the messenger to create the right framework for their story in order to
capture and maintain the interest of as wide an audience as possible.
Which means that, if an author is going to use fiction as a way of
reaching the masses with a spiritual message, then they owe it to
themselves, as well as their potential audience, to master the art of good
storytelling. Sadly, to my mind, this is something that, aside from a
handful of exceptions, few "New Age" novelists have managed to accomplish.
By good storytelling I mean, of course, creating a well-constructed plot,
good characterization and perfect pacing. All the elements, in fact, that
distinguish a so-so story from a riveting read that not only engages your
interest from the outset, but also keeps you burning the midnight oil long
after you should have been slumbering.
Unlike many other authors of this new inspirational genre, Alan Cohen is
actually a very good storyteller. Where other metaphysical storytellers
tend to create two-dimensional, cardboard characters as mere devices
through which to impart their spiritual knowledge and wisdom, Cohen
creates interesting, three-dimensional, warts-and-all-characters that we
all can identify with. What particularly endears Cohen to me as a writer
is that he's not afraid to employ humor and wit to get his message across.
That he does it so deftly, and without in any way undermining his intent
to aid in the enlightenment process is both a testament to his skill as a
writer as well as a humorist.
In Angelo Mann, the central character in My Father's Voice (Alan Cohen's
first novel), Cohen has created a very believable character. At the age
of 43, Angelo appears to have everything a man could possibly desire -
intellectual brilliance, a prestigious career, a devoted family and an
opulent lifestyle. To cap it all, the scientific work Angelo is engaged
in is so revolutionary, he is widely regarded as a man who is 'changing
the course of the future'.
However, beneath his confident façade, Angelo feels empty, inadequate and
fearful. Despite his worldly success, Angelo doesn't know who he really
is. The clue to Angelo's sudden dissatisfaction with his life and himself
lies in his childhood, which was made miserable by his father's
unpredictable, abusive temper. Angelo is terrified the pattern may be
repeating itself. His marriage is rapidly degenerating into a battlefield
where accusations are traded like missiles, and his once-happy small son,
Jesse, shrinks from him in bewilderment at Angelo's sudden uncontrollable
eruptions of anger.
Then, out of the blue, Angelo receives a last minute invitation to speak
at a scientific conference in Israel. Infuriated by his selfishness, his
wife views his acceptance as yet another betrayal of his responsibilities
as a husband and father. But Angelo knows that, for the sake of his
sanity and his relationship with his son, he has to get away. This trip
may be his last chance to break the cycle, and try to find some answers
that may help him climb out of the hell that his life has become before he
sinks beneath the weight of his own anger and self-loathing, dragging his
much-loved though rarely hugged six-year-old son with him.
Within a few days of arriving in Tel Aviv, Angelo witnesses a tragedy
that's so mindlessly brutal and shocking it suddenly forces him to
question everything about the way he is living his life and, though he is
blind to it at the time, catapults him on a spiritual path.
As a man of intellect, logic and science, Angelo dismisses anything that
cannot be seen or proven. When anything unexpected occurs in his life, he
puts it down to coincidence rather than synchronicity. But life has other
plans for Angelo. Soon he is being confounded by a slew of events,
experiences and encounters for which his scientific background has left
him totally unprepared. He meets a beautiful woman who seems to be
everything his wife is not, plus several "teachers" who, despite his
initial resistance, prompt his awakening to a higher knowledge. As a
result, Angelo sets out on a quest that leads to the discovery of a secret
whose implications are so truly mind-blowing, they could literally alter
the entire course of mankind's future... for better or worse... depending
on whether Angelo can find the courage to think with his heart and not
with his mind.
From the moment I picked up My Father's Voice, Alan Cohen definitely had
my attention - despite the fact that I didn't actually like Angelo Mann to
begin with. By the time I got a quarter of the way through I had not only
laughed out loud in several places (something that I rarely do when
reading), but the writer in me was really beginning to appreciate Cohen's
ability to manipulate my emotions. By the half way mark, I was so
completely involved in every aspect of Angelo's personal and spiritual
struggles that I actually stayed up till 5am to find out how the story
finished.
I won't spoil your enjoyment by revealing any more details about the
astonishing secret that Angelo Mann uncovers (just trust me when I say
that it really does have some pretty mind-boggling ramifications).
Suffice to say that in My Father's Voice Alan Cohen fulfills all the most
important criteria for any spiritually-oriented novel - i.e., to raise
questions that challenge and stretch a reader's mind in order to open his
or her eyes to higher possibilities, and to prompt us to examine the
patterns of thought and behavior we absorb from our parents, teachers and
religion that often dictate the (usually unsatisfactory) paths we take and
the decisions we make. What's more, he has managed to weave his uniquely
inspiring parable about the importance of love, tolerance and forgiveness
into a framework that's so riveting and exciting, it never once sags in
the middle or fizzles out to a disappointing finish.
Even those who have no interest in metaphysics or spiritual concepts
cannot fail to be gripped by this roller-coaster of a spiritual adventure
that not only deserves to reach the top of the metaphysical bestseller
lists; but also would make an excellent movie. (Are you listening, Mr.
Spielberg?)
—PLW Book Review
