In Hearth, the Earth-like afterlife of those who have died untimely deaths, young Holocaust victims have come of age and Martin Luther King, Jr. still preaches. Theresa, a young runaway who uses a wheelchair, is given refuge by Jamie and his husband Gabe. Jamie has severe, debilitating asthma, and he bonds with Theresa through their shared experience of disability. Though Jamie is intent upon sheltering Theresa from those who would use her, he finds himself unable to protect her when she chooses to take part in a risky plot to save the city from destruction. As the years pass, Jamie struggles with worsening health and a husband who clings to the status quo. He raises adopted children, explores gender identity, and strives for spiritual purity, always haunted by the memory of a girl whose cosmic destiny will bring Earth and Hearth into a new age of peace. Read the first five chapters at http://www.earlierheavenbook.com
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By notions
Oct 15, 2009
"Earlier Heaven" Alexandra Jefferds' Earlier Heaven doesn't fit neatly into any standard literary genre but probably comes closest to metaphysical romance. There are a few supernatural events sparsely scattered throughout the story but the lovers themselves, and most of the other characters, don't possess any extraordinary powers. The first half of the story takes place on Hearth which is a sister planet to Earth, and the last half in a small remote town in rural Montana. Hearth is very similar to Earth but is inhabited only by Earthlings who have met an untimely death. They come to Hearth with their bodies fully restored if the cause of death was accidental; however, their psychological baggage is still in tow. But at least everyone is given a new beginning. This is just what's needed for Gabe, one of the beloved in the romance, whose painful memories continue to plague him as he tries to rise above the anger, selfishness, and self incriminations of his previous Earth life.... More > Though Hearth's government has a more responsive safety net for its disvantaged citizens than any government on Earth, its beneficence is not without some sinister undercurrents and, as part of the subplot, things begin to fall apart when too much power begins to accumulate to a single, apparently benign, but autocratic leader. The main characters are swept up by the political intrigue which eventually leads to a revolution. And thirteen year old Theresa, who uses a wheelchair and paralyzed from her waist down, courageously risks her life for a cause she believes in. Jamie, the other beloved in the romance and the novel's extremely complex protagonist, is highly androgynous and can be, in turn, willful almost to the point of arrogance then beguilingly tender in his deep abiding love for Gabe. His attractive but most unusual physical appearance has an arresting effect on anyone drawn into his presence as his uniquely expressive features can be sinister one minute and angelic the next. Jamie is on a spititual path and sees his purpose for life on Hearth as doing good for others. This is primarily expressed as trying to be a loving husband to Gabe and a loving father for the two children they have adopted. However, his spiritual journey is encumbered with many trials and he falls from grace several times. Jamie has severe asthma caused by the slightly different composition of Hearth's air which acts as a respiratory irritant and one of his greatest difficulties is keeping an open and loving heart when tormented day and night by impending suffocation. Later in the story when he planet jumps back to Earth during a supernatural event called The Storm he comes with his damaged lungs and even with Montana's more soothing air is never able to overcome his frailty. So, with Theresa, who uses a wheelchair and paralyzed from her waist down and Jamie with severe asthma, two of the novel's main characters have very serious physical disabilities. Indeed, living an authenic life as fully as you can in spite of extremely dibilitating conditions is one of the main themes Alexandra Jefferds explores in writing Earlier Heaven. The plot, having enough twists and turn to keep most any reader in suspense, and the cast of fascinating characters coming to life in their especially nuanced dialogue, are enough to highly recommend this book. Yet, I would go further with my recommendation for anyone who would want to expand and refine their empathy for people with disabilities. Theresa and Jamie don't need pity for they are beyond feeling sorry for themselves but what they do need is understanding. One can't help but admire the compassion with which our talented writer explores this theme.< Less
