Alexander Hergensheimer, a fundamentalist minister, undergoes a series of sudden shifts between parallel earths after participating in a fire-walking ceremony in Polynesia. Each transition alters the political and technological reality around him, forcing him to navigate worlds where zeppelins dominate the skies or Mexico rules North America. Accompanied by his paramour, Margrethe, Alexander endure a sequence of disasters including shipwrecks and earthquakes. He eventually discovers these tribulations are a literal test organized by supernatural entities as the biblical Apocalypse commences and the Rapture begins.
Fans of satirical science fiction and theological deconstruction read this book to see traditional Christian dogma challenged through a rationalist lens. It appeals to readers who enjoy stories where bureaucratic deities and cosmic coincidences drive the plot. The narrative provides a cynical look at organized religion and the concept of an afterlife. Readers walk away with a perspective that prioritizes human empathy and romantic loyalty over blind obedience to celestial authority, concluding with a stark critique of divine justice.
- Published
- 1984
- Language
- EN
