I’m always asked this question when I give an interview; and so far I’ve been very simple about answering it. “It’s about these two children who believe God has called them to climb a mountain and ring a bell on the summit…” Well, yes, that’s true enough. But it’s also just a peek at the plot. It’s like saying “Moby Dick” is about a whaling voyage. True, but terribly incomplete.
I have finally realized what my books truly are about.
“Bell Mountain” is about a human race that has grown deaf to God’s voice. It’s about how they learn to hear God’s voice, and how they learn to call on Him. Above all, the books are about restoring the human connection to the Living God–learning to know Him, to love Him, to obey Him, to trust Him.
In other words, the fantasy world depicted in the book is an indirect way of looking at our world, the one we live in here and now.
See what people do, these days, and hear what they say. We as a nation, as a whole civilization, don’t hear anymore; nor do we see. We proceed as if there were no God–worse, as if we ourselves were gods. This is how we wind up worshiping fornication and every form of filthiness.
The church in the world of “Bell Mountain” is a dead church which has severed its connection to God (for only God can give it life). That description fits most of the institutional churches of our own world.
To connect to God is to live. To carry on without Him is to die.
That’s what “Bell Mountain” is about.
Well!!! That’s wht I thought the first time I read Bell Mountain. To tell the truth, I read it again because of that! Actually, I only read again books that I think are worthy of being re-read, so there, too. Unfortunately, I’ve been too busy to order your third book (after being unsuccessful in ordering it in the first place.) I am looking forward to your next one as well, especially as I believe authors improve the more they write-and you have, “so there!,” another time.
Oh, I guess I knew it. But I didn’t know how to say it on the radio.
BTW, Dorothy, have you tried ordering “The Thunder King” through amazon.com ? That should work.
Will do. Did you know that Nordskog books has put Thd Governor’s Story on their site? Only one problem: no one I know has been able to find it without a lot of stumbling around. It won’t sell fast that way! Too bad.
Haven’t heard from Evelyn yet. Have you?
No, Dorothy, I haven’t heard from Evelyn, either–and I did email her. But I’m glad you’re on Nordskog, and let me see if I can find your page and post a link to it here and on my Twitter page.
I see Bell Mountain and The Cellar Beneath The Cellar as having millennial overtones. The bell rings and suddenly things begin to change. There are still challenges, but the sovereignty of God is being asserted more an more and His king is empowered. I don’t see it as a perfect analog to the Thousand Year Reign, nor do I suspect that it was ever intended to be, but I see a degree of similarity.
Many believe that the Millennium is soon to be upon us. There are biblical hints that Jerusalem will be the seat of this government and that believers will be journeying there. Zechariah 14 tells us that those whom survive will be observing the Festival of Booths. I assume this is about the Millennial period, but I’m not dogmatic regarding the matter. The more I ponder the Millennium, the more I realize that I have a lot to learn about it.
I just write what I’m given: I’m not smart enough to decide what, if any, millenial overtones to include. Because God guides me in this work, the books are way smarter than I’ll ever be.
In any event, they make for interesting reading and are certainly food for thought.
One thing I appreciate greatly about the series is the treatment of organized religion in Obann. As I mentioned to you in an email, there is an undertone which functions as a polemic against the failings that have happened in so much of organized religion. Lord Reesh was the ultimate spiritual leader of the church in the book, but he didn’t really believe in God. Instead, the church was a way of controlling people and exerting political influence.
Is there an example, somewhere in the organized religions claiming Christianity of someone using high ecclesiastical office to further his own political ends?
Perish the thought!
Too far-fetched to even be considered. 🙂
Hopefully The Silver Trumpet will be available soon. 🙂 Your books are wonderful, Lee, for all age groups!
I’m checking the initial edits now, and the cover artist says he might have something for us by the end of August.