Do you believe in angels? Many do, of course, and many will say they've seen angels and been guided by them, especially at times of great trial or danger.
Daniel Kennedy, a zoologist, and his partner, Nancy, are on their way to the Galapagos Islands on a trip that combines pleasure and work. Their plans come to an abrupt halt when the small plane in which they're travelling ditches in the sea. Afterwards, there are those who hail Daniel as a hero and saviour but is he? Why does he feel so guilty about his actions and what, if anything, did he see as he was swimming to safety?
Daniel's father, Philip, had been a soldier, fighting in several of the conflicts of the second part of the 20thC. Philip's father had also been a soldier, fighting in WWII, as had his grandfather, William, who had fought in WWI. But Daniel had gone his own way, breaking the family tradition in more ways than one.
William's experiences on the battlefield shatter him, as they do so many, and he walks away to safety in a nearby town under the guidance of - what? Is William just one of those who have seen the Angel of Mons, the rumoured guardian of soldiers, or is he just a coward? Williams faces the fate of any convicted coward at that time - the firing squad. But will the results of his actions reach down the years to bind his descendants?
As Daniel struggles to build his career, hampered by his own uncertainties, the deceits of others, Nancy's anger and the suspicion that he's connected, somehow, with threats to the State, how will he put his life back on track? And has he, an avowed atheist and blasphemer, also seen the Angel of Mons?
This is a tale of generations brought together by the repeating sins and triumphs of experience. By fear and cowardice, by bravery and valour. Underneath it all is the quiet message that help comes from many sources and that, even when we think we know ourselves well, we can never know the nature of Angels.
The Blasphemer is published by Doubleday, ISBN 978-0-385-61779-6 (2010)
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