A Novella in Real Time
Like millions of others, I followed the real-time developments of the Notre Dame Cathedral fire in Paris this past April. For those who visited the massive historical structure previously, it seemed unthinkable that such an inspiring structure could endure such an inferno.
It was while the fire was still raging on that first night that an idea came to me about an old man whose partially burned body was discovered in the upper regions of the cathedral once the flames had been extinguished. It's a fictional novella, but it tells the story of someone who loved Notre Dame for what it was - so much that he hid one of humanity's great secrets for decades before he finally died n the flames.
Charley Heron is the New York Times journalist assigned with uncovering the man's story and why he climbed into the upper regions likely knowing he would never make it back down. Along the way, the journalist and her team in Paris discover stunning revelations of a remarkable life.
Ultimately, Heron's completed story runs like a commentary on the shallowness of modern life and how our history remains vital to our rediscovery of our deeper, more principles selves.
The Forest Secret took only a month to write and is now available as a printed paperback here or a free immediate digital download, using the Kobo app, here. Thanks to all those who took the time to read the chapters serialized in my blog over the past two months.
Notre Dame Cathedral is being restored but our humanity, too, needs work and it's my hope that The Forest Secret prompts us to get started.
