The planet of Cory has been enslaved by Fear, by the threat of an end to their world. Roci’s outward life typifies the plight of the Coryan people: he has no family; he has been forced into slavery; people are attempting to control him with both the threat and reality of physical violence. Roci is distinct, though, in that he has decided to live in a place he can control—in vivid imaginary lives and worlds which he has created within the untouchable space of his mind. He believes in families though he has never had one, and he believes in compassionate people willing to make sacrifices to save those who cannot save themselves.
When the oppressors appoint a new leader, the sacrificial toll on William’s life rises to a new and very exacting level. Published dissent is now punished with physical, escalating penalties paralleling those given to the slaves. But William continues to write and publish, and then watches in distress (though with a little pride) as two of his children choose his lifestyle as well.
William’s compassion and quiet courage eventually attract a valuable and unexpected ally. The family and their valuable friend struggle onwards—making choices and sacrifices, taking risks, accepting almost unbearable consequences. In the end, they learn how to gain freedom by conquering Fear . . . for Cory’s Sake.
Roci looked up. Ty-ri was a few years older than Roci and was fairly new to the factory. Roci began to tell Ty-ri about the people who might at this moment be trying to save the planet of Cory. He went on for quite a while—until Ty-ri cut him off with, “Why would they do that?”
“Because of the kind of people they are,” answered Roci.
“Why would people like that care to save us?” demanded Ty-ri.
Roci looked contemplatively at Ty-ri for a few seconds, then began to expound on the two layers of identity. Obviously the layer Ty-ri is seeing, when he says “people like that”—is the surfact layer, the details of Roci’s “people” that are accidental, like not being born a slave. These details provide no motivation to save Cory—why would people care about something that really has no impact on their own lives? Well, mused Roci, that would be because of the second layer, their characters, the kinds of people they are . . .
“That doesn’t make any sense,” said Ty-ri.
“You see,” persisted Roci, “there are two layers to who . . .”
“Oh, shut up already,” said Ty-ri, and turned and went to his bed.
Roci lay down in his bed. He felt strongly that there could very well be people who could care about a problem and suffering not their own, enough to be willing to do something about it. There had to be, thought Roci—for without such characters Cory could never be saved.
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Wow – what an interesting read. I wish I would have known of this blog tour I would have loved to have been a part of reviewing this book.
Great post!