NEW CD FEATURE:  Hot-button excerpts from G.M. Corrigan’s “religio-socio-econo-politico-philo-psycho-romantic (whew!) novel, "Chasing Chickens: A Love Story" (Full Excerpt #2)

Introduction to excerpt #2--theme: The enemy within. Is there something at the stealthy core of our culture—and even our hearts—that militates against our happiness, our ability to love and find fulfillment, and that sabotages relationships? Elated at having finally discerned a possible unifying theme for his coherence-defying assignment, Walter characteristically keeps his own counsel in the matter as he walks from his west D.C. office to the nearest Metro, mulling his insight and his recent breakup with office heartthrob Maggie Syzygy. On the way he unexpectedly meets someone who mysteriously suggests that the two seemingly disparate topics may not be all that disconnected.

By G.M. Corrigan

Introduction to Excerpt #1—theme: human creativity, its source and the consequences of its containment. It’s the familiar nemesis of writers, but everybody, at one time or another, experiences creative paralysis—whether it be in what to say to one’s beloved, how to solve a parenting problem or in simply doing a crossword puzzle. We are creatures that share in the creative power of the Creator (however one conceives this Creator), and much of life’s satisfaction lies in using that power to understand and communicate truth, express a perception of beauty or make life better for others. It’s what we all strive for in our work, though modern, modularized work—and adversarial workplaces—often frustrates that desire. (The word “adversarial” here is significant, as adversarialism—as a design feature of our political, economic and, increasingly, social praxis is a major theme of Chasing Chickens.) In this opening segment, our protagonist Walter Cephalo, a lead writer at a major folio books publishing firm in 1980s Washington, D.C., has been given the daunting assignment of distilling the world’s religions into a book that will promote religious unity. But he is stuck. Has his vaunted abilities finally met their match, or is there something about Walter’s views and lifestyle, his failure to appreciate past emotional wounds or his typical “adaptation” to the larger culture that’s to blame. Walter doesn’t begin to gain insight into the cause of his condition until a series of mysterious encounters sets him on the path of chasing chickens—and falling for an unlikely and challenging love interest. (Hint: The “chasing chickens” term comes from a scene in a popular Disney cartoon, released in 1955.)

Introduction to excerpt #2--theme: The enemy within. Is there something at the stealthy core of our culture—and even our hearts—that militates against our happiness, our ability to love and find fulfillment, and that sabotages relationships? Elated at having finally discerned a possible unifying theme for his coherence-defying assignment, Walter characteristically keeps his own counsel in the matter as he walks from his west D.C. office to the nearest Metro, mulling his insight and his recent breakup with office heartthrob Maggie Syzygy. On the way he unexpectedly meets someone who mysteriously suggests that the two seemingly disparate topics may not be all that disconnected.

By G.M. Corrigan

By G.M. Corrigan

By J. Matt Barber

Book Review by Dennis Mullin

Book Review by Dennis Mullin

OF PERU, INCAS AND REBELS: I am reading a book that deals with the Sendero Luminoso, or Shining Path guerrilla movement in Peru. This is an excellent mystery novel by Santiago Rongagliolo, about a prosecutor in Ayacucho, the center of the rebellion, entitled, “Red April.” He traces a series of murders which connect to the Shining Path rebel movement, and raises the question of whether or not the Maoist guerrilla group has been truly vanquished as the government claims.