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An Exotic Revolution
Donovan’s Revolution follows a former seminary student turned itinerant Catholic worker who is sent to Haiti by the Vatican, and he winds up entrenched in the revolution there. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Most of my writing is set somewhere in America. Usually the Midwest. Although I was born in the South – Arkansas — I grew up in Illinois and now live in Michigan. I ran across something about the Haitian Revolution of the 1980s and it intrigued me. It was an opportunity to do something different and soon I began to imagine a character – Donovan – and what his conflicts might be as an outsider to Haiti, and the story took off. Donovan and Gilles come from very different backgrounds and yet they slowly establish a friendship based on mutual friendship and humor.
What starts out as another assignment from the Vatican for Donovan turns into a life-altering experience. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
I liked the idea of someone like Donovan, who had decided priesthood wasn’t for him, to nonetheless be thrust into an exotic revolution as a reluctant representative of the Vatican. It sets him up to either stay mired in uncertainty or to grow and find himself. Pairing Gilles with Donovan enables Gilles to re-discover humor and hope for people. The unlikely pairing, which at first is manipulative by Gilles, becomes a true friendship.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I don’t start writing with themes in mind – not consciously in mind, that is. My subconscious likely works on that. At first, I likely have just a character and an awareness of that person’s conflict, and a setting. But that’s enough for me to get going and to learn the story as it unfolds. Like with readers, it’s a journey of discovery for me, too. So, I wasn’t trying to impose a theme like faith/religion, for example. Making Donovan an employee of the Vatican was useful in putting him into action with the cynical, world-weary Gilles.
What is the next book that you are working on and when can your fans expect it to be out?
My novella Busted Flat, winner of a Literary Titan Gold Award, came out in early November 2024 from Blue Cedar Press. Forthcoming for February 2025 from Type Eighteen Books – Night Hawks, a novella. I’ve lately been writing new stories and completed a collection, The Space Between Now and Then, and I’m looking for a publisher. I also recently completed a novel, I Just Don’t Get Karaoke, and two novellas, The King of Kalamazoo and Let Sleeping Dogs Lie. Are you listening, publishers?
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
Written by award-winning author, Michael Loyd Gray, this special book about male bonding in the unlikeliest of circumstances will both entertain and intrigue readers.
Donovan’s Revolution
Michael Loyd Gray’s Donovan’s Revolution is a captivating work of historical fiction that plunges readers into the heart of Haiti during the turbulent Duvalier regime. The novel chronicles Donovan, a former seminary student turned itinerant Catholic worker, as he navigates the political and social unrest that defines this era. Immersed in the vibrant yet volatile life of Haiti, Donovan finds himself entwined in the people’s uprising against the infamous Baby Doc Duvalier.
Gray’s prose seamlessly intertwines vivid imagery of Haiti’s lush landscapes and vibrant culture with the raw emotional intensity of its political struggles. The contrast between the country’s breathtaking beauty and its stark poverty and violence reflects Donovan’s own internal conflicts, creating a narrative as rich in depth as it is in detail. Through Gray’s masterful storytelling, readers are transported into the heart of the revolution, experiencing the turmoil and uncertainty that define both the characters’ lives and the historical moment itself. At its core, Donovan’s Revolution is a story of self-discovery and transformation. Donovan confronts his doubts and searches for faith, identity, and purpose. Along the way, he forges meaningful connections: with Gilles, a mysterious guide to the rebels; Michel, the resolute leader of the resistance; and Emmanuella, who helps Donovan explore his gentler, more vulnerable side. Most compelling, however, is the sense of hope Gray imbues throughout the narrative, a hope that fuels the Haitian people’s unwavering fight against oppression. The novel is an emotional journey, blending despair and inspiration. Gray does not shy away from the harrowing realities of violence and suffering. Yet, he balances these darker moments with the resilience and courage of ordinary individuals rising to reclaim their futures. The life-threatening challenges and existential dilemmas faced by the characters linger in the reader’s mind long after the final page.
I recommend Donovan’s Revolution to historical fiction enthusiasts who will appreciate the novel’s insightful portrayal of Haiti’s modern history, an often overlooked subject. Political observers may draw parallels between the Duvalier regime and Haiti’s ongoing struggles, while those who enjoy thought-provoking stories will find much to reflect on. Themes of faith, hope, friendship, and identity ensure this gripping tale will captivate readers from start to finish.
Pages: 163 | ASIN : B0D9L6PB4L
LITERARY TITAN 