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Project Übermensch follows a Navy Sailor who loses his legs, which are restored using extraterrestrial technology, leaving him with unnatural abilities. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I’ve long been haunted and intrigued by the mercurial “facts” surrounding The Philadelphia Experiment. Urban legend or real? And if real, what happened to these men next? How did the Navy extract sailors from the bulkheads? Was the experiment alien-assisted, as suggested? On and on. Any event plagued by that much controversy, real or rumor, was fertile ground for me to explore in fiction.
Peter flees the Navy and escapes to hide in a small mountain town, where he develops a cult-like following for his mystical healing abilities. What were the driving ideals behind the character’s development throughout the story?
“Look, up in the sky! It’s a bird, it’s a plane…No, it’s Übermensch!” Or, “Superman!”
We have long been enthralled by the idea of a super-human; Nietzsche in 1883 contemplating the Übermensch, the famed Superman comics, TV shows, and movies. The Hulk, and just about every Marvel character ever created. But the most influential ideal for me arose from the character of Jesus, maybe our first “superhuman,” and what would happen if he actually did return as just a peculiar “neighbor” in your community.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Obviously, the most important theme I wanted to explore was: How would this potential “Messiah” be embraced by modern society? As Savior, or Satan? Let’s face it, even Superman had to conceal his identity in the persona of Clark Kent and change clothes in a phone booth (oh, the good old days of phone booths). And wouldn’t a being capable of such incredible feats be deemed a trickster, or worse, the devil incarnate? We embrace science, and hold fast to the idea that the world is solid, whole and predictable. And while we might make room in our minds for a “transcendent Being” on Sunday mornings, we probably don’t want him living next door.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
Probably not. I explored the story to my satisfaction, and I can’t imagine how the story would proceed without becoming repetitious. Even so, I try not to close the door on anything.
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2024, in the tranquil mountain town of Kleary Creek, religious handyman, and all-around nice-guy, Orvin Littney meets his new neighbor, the mysterious Geoffrey Cannon. While walking together one morning, Orvin experiences a heart attack, and is in the throes of death when Geoffrey miraculously saves his life. Miracles such as these, Orvin soon learns, account for Geoffrey’s cult-like following in the mystical, self-help community.
But Geoffrey’s life as a spiritual healer takes a dark turn when devotees are inexplicably murdered under grisly circumstances—all young women he’d had brief affairs with. Hikers and residents turn up dead, while rumors of a monstrous creature in the woods around Kleary Creek circulate, whispers of Bigfoot, Sasquatch, Yeti. With events growing ever more ominous, Orvin comes to believe his “savior” friend, Geoffrey, is somehow at the center of it all.
PROJECT ÜBERMENSCH
Project Übermensch is a thrilling foray into science fiction that intertwines historical events with the supernatural. Set against the backdrop of World War II, the novel begins with a botched military experiment at the US Navy Yard in Philadelphia, purportedly based on Einstein’s Unified Field Theory. The failed test not only bends reality but also disastrously affects the crew of the USS Eldridge—leaving the protagonist, Peter Smithwick, with unnatural abilities and a curse of delayed aging. Author Lonnie Busch uses this gripping premise to launch into a tale that spans decades, exploring themes of identity, the ethics of scientific experimentation, and the quest for personal redemption.
Busch’s writing is sharp and engaging, blending detailed historical context with rich, imaginative storytelling. The narrative is paced like a carefully tuned symphony, with moments of quiet introspection contrasted against bursts of intense action that push the plot forward. However, while the prose is often compelling, it occasionally gets bogged down by technical descriptions and a multitude of characters that can be challenging to keep track of. I think this complexity enriches the plot but might not appeal to everyone.
The philosophical underpinnings stand out as one of the book’s most compelling features. Busch ambitiously explores the moral implications of playing God and the ensuing existential crises. The protagonist’s battle with his ‘gifts’ and his pursuit of a normal life are rendered with poignant clarity, offering readers a deep exploration of what it means to be human. While these deep philosophical inquiries are ambitious and may sometimes seem to stretch beyond easy grasp, they add a rich layer of complexity to the narrative.
Project Übermensch is an ambitious mystery novel that offers plenty of enjoyment, especially for enthusiasts of science fiction and historical narratives who dare to ask ‘what if?’ The fusion of factual historical events with science fiction elements creates a reading experience that is both intellectually stimulating and entertaining. Readers who savor complex narratives with a mix of action, science fiction, and philosophical inquiry will find this book a gratifying read.
Pages: 356 | ASIN : B0CYRRJLH6
LITERARY TITAN 