The back cover of Saint John Lennon(SJL) is titled, “Imagine Reviews Like These” and features a fanciful quote by John Lennon: “This is the best book ever written about me.” We wonder what he would think about this time-travel fantasy if a twist in time returned him to New York City 40 years after his passing. Writers Digest called the novel “…an original and riotous explosion of imagination…”
Lennon had a predilection for a variety of literary genres, ranging from the classics to comics. One of his favorites included Alice in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glassby Lewis Carroll. In SJLchapter “Kismet,” John steps through the realm of time to revisit December 8, 1980. In a sense, he is like Alice falling through the rabbit hole to encounter something unexpected and perplexing. What might happen when he revisits this day of infamy?
Another of his favorites was the dystopian novel 1984written by George Orwell about a world where people are numb to constant war and are victims of relentless government surveillance and propaganda. John left us in 1980 – not long after the end of the Vietnam war. Imagine what it would feel like for him to blink and suddenly jump ahead to 2020! He is dismayed to find the world still entrenched in war, dealing with mass shootings and other forms of violence, and grappling with environmental turmoil. He fears for humankind’s future. Indeed, John travels into the future and witnesses possible outcomes to our unchecked present policies.
John said he dug James Joyce’s Finnegans Wake, a story about what takes place during a dream. We are privy to some of John’s vivid dreams in SJL. Both books are stories with no real beginning or an end. This then, is the sentiment we hope you’d feel after reading Saint John Lennon– time is not linear – it is an illusion. And love is eternal.
Would John recognize himself in SJLas bringing to life the themes of his favorite books? If you’ve already read Saint John Lennon, did you notice the whole book is written in the present tense? This moment – now – is all we really have. Go out and share some peace and love!
Please join us at the International Beatles on the Beach Festival, April 25 – 28, Delray Beach Florida. Plan ahead! Before you know it, the future will arrive! www.BeatlesOnTheBeach.com