Norman Boutin and Reality

**Reality** is often something from which Norman Boutin seems detached. Because he believes he alone has a grasp on things, Norman will deny anything that contradicts this one rule, even if all facts stand against him.

## Realism

Norman Boutin often confuses the world as it exists within *Empress Theresa* and the way the world actually functions. One example is how, if Norman Boutin is corrected on the lack of realism concerning how people react or how nations function in *Empress Theresa*, he acts as if those situations and solutions in his novel have *actually happened*. It is not his fault that things do not make sense; it is the fault of the reader for not grasping the wonderful scenario which he as placed before them in this literary world. This was seen on a Jewish forum, where Norman shared the passages in his book regarding the evacuation of Israel. When posters pointed out how ludicrous a scenario this was, Norman quotes Prime Minister Scherzer saying "Israel is where the Israeli people are"; hence, to Norman, because *his Jews* say it's okay to leave Israel, then it must be a realistic scenario for *all Jews*.

Norman Boutin will quote *Empress Theresa* and situations within and attempt to apply them to the real world. For example, he quotes Theresa saying that people want to kill her even though she hasn't done anything, then asks why so many critics wish to "kill an eighteen year old girl who has done nothing to anybody?" Hence Norman Boutin places criticizing a book on the same level as killing a girl, This is because, in his mind, characters in the book trying to kill Theresa is the same thing as critics not liking the book Theresa exists in.

Closely related to this is Norman's strange pattern of comparing incidents in *Empress Theresa*, which is fiction, to recent events, which are entirely real. For example, he compared critics attacking his book to the Umpqua Community College shooting, saying their words were "an excuse to post something and attempt to get noticed like that shooter in the Oregon community college." He likewise compared the death of his sister to tragedies in his book, something his critics quickly condemned as illogical.

## Truth Statements

Norman Boutin has also quoted *Empress Theresa* in order to make truth statements. For example, after stating that *Empress Theresa* would be remembered forever, Norman quotes Theresa saying, "Prime Minister Blair said I’d still be remembered in a million years." Hence, because his book characters say they will be remembered for a million years, it must be an absolute fact that the book itself will be. Norman likewise made the argument that simple words are better, and backed it up by Theresa citing a Boston College professor not to use big words. He also quoted a rebuke of atheists within the book, and used it not only to apparently refute atheism, but to prove "if God wills you to do it, you can do it." In an Amazon comment, Norman quoted Theresa from the book saying there were plenty of girls just like her, and demanded to know how critics would respond to "the world's supreme authority on the subject."

## Speaking Reality

Norman seems to believe that, by his making a statement, it automatically becomes true, or should be accepted as truth. It's as if he believes he can speak reality into existence *ex nihilo*, even if the evidence proves the contrary.

One example of this is how Norman repeats that Theresa is a good Christian girl, and will quote characters from the book making similar statements. However, critics will quote Theresa's actions from the book to demonstrate that this is far from the case. Norman will respond by repeating his statements *ad nauseum*, as if his making that statement settles the issue. Another example is how Norman will continually make the statement that everything he says can be confirmed from the book, and nothing from the negative reviews can be proven from the book. However, critics have pointed out that many negative reviewers quote from the book, and Norman's only real response is to launch into *ad hominems* and insults.

Closely related to this is Norman's sense of omniscience in regards to all topics that might come up. For example, he believes that he has a full understanding of what defines "science fiction," and argues from his definitions to say *Empress Theresa* is not science fiction...even though sources from science fiction authorities contradict his understanding of the genre, and do indeed classify his book as science fiction. This is likewise seen in Norman's strange definition of what an "alien" is, even though most definitions of an alien do tie HAL in with it. However, because all these factors do not fit in with *Norman's* definitions, they are automatically deemed wrong.

## Theresa Joins the Debate

On December 12, 2018, an Amazon user claiming to be Theresa Sullivan herself joined in Norman's usual argument against his critics, taking his side and touting the greatness of his book. The post mainly consisted of a list of Theresa's purported traits Norman often uses to defend his character's virtues, and "Theresa's" observations on them.. The message was as follows:

(Whats going on here! How dare you Filthy Trolls attack this poor man! This book is the greatest work ever written!

It captures everything about me!

I am a good girl.

I follow my conscience. Always and in all things.

I believe in God. I bet none of you filthy Trolls do!

I tell the truth. Unlike You All!

I am beautiful.

I am very intelligent. Which is obvious.

I have a sense of humor. Unlike any of you!

I have a great personality. Can any of you Trolls say that?

I easily attracted boys in college. But I got married right away because I am a good girl.

I of course avoided the common problems of youth, drinking, drugs, bad friends and so on.

I always succeed in my endeavors.

I am courageous even to the point of death. Unlike you COWARDS!

I have empathy for others.

I puts myself in danger for others. What have any of YOU ever done!

I saved the world. More than once!

All you Filthy Trolls need to shut up and LEAVE, as I said once, "We're lost in this confusing world unless we follow the directions of its Maker. I did. It's the only thing that got me through.")

Norman soon responded to this post with one displaying his usual egotism:

(QUOTE

Whats going on here! How dare you Filthy Trolls attack this poor man! This book is the greatest work ever written!

END QUOTE

Thank you for your support, Theresa.

And yes, Empress Theresa is the greatest book I've ever written.

"Well done good and faithful servant. Come into my house. ( trolls not admitted )" -- God

"There is total selfishness and unconcern for the needful in the trolls." -- world's greatest author)

The identity of "Theresa" is unconfirmed, although Norman himself using a sockpuppet account is the most likely conclusion, particularly as "Theresa's" account shows no signs of activity on Amazon itself. In any case, interacting with his fictional heroine and treating her words as confirmation of his greatness indicates perhaps an even greater detachment from reality.

## References

1. ↑ http://www.hashkafah.com/index.php?/topic/71924-empress-theresa-helps-israel-evacuate/#entry1640557
2. ↑ http://tlknighton.com/?p=4972#comment-615
3. ↑ http://www.amazon.com/review/R1U460R88DR2E2/ref=cm\_cr\_rev\_detmd\_pl?ie=UTF8&asin=B00MJPIX26&cdForum=Fx32NQR1MUHPCVO&cdMsgID=Mx3KN5CCJTY8MQ4&cdMsgNo=1944&cdPage=195&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=TxQA03WM82RZXF&store=digital-text#Mx3KN5CCJTY8MQ4
4. ↑ http://www.amazon.com/review/R1U460R88DR2E2/ref=cm\_cr\_rev\_detmd\_pl?ie=UTF8&asin=B00MJPIX26&cdForum=Fx32NQR1MUHPCVO&cdMsgID=Mx3M1P55OFHHGYF&cdMsgNo=1179&cdPage=118&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=TxQA03WM82RZXF&store=digital-text#Mx3M1P55OFHHGYF
5. ↑ http://tlknighton.com/?p=4972#comment-596
6. ↑ http://www.amazon.com/review/R1U460R88DR2E2/ref=cm\_cr\_rev\_detmd\_pl?ie=UTF8&asin=B00MJPIX26&cdForum=Fx32NQR1MUHPCVO&cdMsgID=Mx254ZL9FGX1WUA&cdMsgNo=691&cdPage=70&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=TxQA03WM82RZXF&store=digital-text#Mx254ZL9FGX1WUA
7. ↑ http://forums.catholic.com/showpost.php?p=11871350&postcount=51
8. ↑ http://www.amazon.com/review/R1U460R88DR2E2/ref=cm\_cr\_rev\_detmd\_pl?ie=UTF8&asin=B00MJPIX26&cdForum=Fx32NQR1MUHPCVO&cdMsgID=Mx8UU9RGE6T93F&cdMsgNo=862&cdPage=87&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=TxQA03WM82RZXF&store=digital-text#Mx8UU9RGE6T93F
9. ↑ http://www.amazon.com/review/R1U460R88DR2E2/ref=cm\_cr\_rev\_detmd\_pl?ie=UTF8&asin=B00MJPIX26&cdForum=Fx32NQR1MUHPCVO&cdMsgID=Mx24J2OXJ5KE2DW&cdMsgNo=76&cdPage=8&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=TxQA03WM82RZXF&store=digital-text#Mx24J2OXJ5KE2DW
10. ↑ http://www.amazon.com/review/R1U460R88DR2E2/ref=cm\_cr\_rev\_detmd\_pl?ie=UTF8&asin=B00MJPIX26&cdForum=Fx32NQR1MUHPCVO&cdMsgID=Mx2RU3IZ4MJ039U&cdMsgNo=980&cdPage=98&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=TxQA03WM82RZXF&store=digital-text#Mx2RU3IZ4MJ039U
11. ↑ http://sf-encyclopedia.uk/fe.php?nm=science\_fiction
12. ↑ http://www.amazon.com/review/R1U460R88DR2E2/ref=cm\_cr\_rev\_detmd\_pl?ie=UTF8&asin=B00MJPIX26&cdForum=Fx32NQR1MUHPCVO&cdMsgID=MxQ7MOMR2UTI9S&cdMsgNo=986&cdPage=99&cdSort=oldest&cdThread=TxQA03WM82RZXF&store=digital-text#MxQ7MOMR2UTI9S
13. ↑ https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/amzn1.account.AE76K6ZBSMIUMLQZGV3HV4OUZZUA/ref=cm\_cr\_getc\_d\_pdp?ie=UTF8
14. ↑ https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/RNLY3BUDGDE40/ref=cm\_cr\_arp\_d\_rvw\_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=1495450422
15. ↑ https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/RNLY3BUDGDE40/ref=cm\_cr\_arp\_d\_rvw\_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=1495450422