The Book
THE BOOK is a work of dystopian fiction. I do not presume to know what the ramifications of digital books on the future of traditional publishing will be. I am only, in good, old-fashioned, make-believe, assuming what route the next generations will take, based on the current state of recycling, sustainability, the disregard of the typed or printed word, and online information databases like Wikipedia - where anyone can edit the truth. I find it apropos that the completion of my story coincides (to the day) with the announcement of the iPad by Apple. If the progression of digital music is any indication, handheld electronic media devices (The Book, in my novel) will become popular with younger generations and reading will be preferred through this new medium. My hope is that not only would my book gain appreciation as a cautionary tale against abandoning the written or printed word, but that it could potentially revolutionize the thinking of readers across the world. That they would feel a duty to themselves and their children to keep truth and freedom alive by continuing to read from printed books and passing laws to protect their content from censorship. Of course, I do not wish for the e-book to fail. Everyone should rally behind such convenient innovation. My impetus for this story lies in the importance of the printed word and what it used to mean for us as human beings. To quote my narrator: "We, the people, have learned that while there is danger in the printed word, so is there power. In the days of our ancestors, it stirred us to revolution. Words were honored and protected. They were spiritual and rehabilitating. But that was before recycling sustained the world and asphyxiated our minds." To quote the ironically-late J.D. Salinger (deceased same date as the iPad announcement and the completion of this book): "Publishing is a terrible invasion of my privacy."Thank you for your interest in my story. Ex Libris.