A Very Bad Dog

Among the benefits to reading authors with large, proven oeuvres is trust. We can trust Steven L. Peck. Remember that through provocations of opening his astonishing new release from BCC Press, a novel called Heike's Void. Its unsettling has two parts, beginning an epigram title character Dr. Heike Marquardt's Theology Nothingness. Here, she attempts define “the void.” It attempt use ontological reasoning range outside ontology, like apocryphal sixth verse, anti-verse scrawled upside down in margin at end “If You Could Hie Kolob,” composed during W. Phelps's angry years. could have happened . In her book, which we see only short, digestible excerpts, says, “The void unimaginable place, because imagine it negate its possible non-existence by creating reference it” (2). So continues series impossible statements, made spite themselves. The second part introduction far more familiar Mormon fiction, elderly straight anglophone Euro-American man, looking out over Utah canyon feeling nostalgic, little disenchanted and regretful something he can't quite name. This Elder Holmberg, contemporary apostle.Stay us. Trust Peck keep reading. Though Holmberg familiar, him not. “One person God hates Holmberg” (4). position insisted upon scriptural precedents references, ones may us personally uncomfortable time time. From them, narrator concludes “No flighty changeable being [God]. If you, you are stuck it. doesn't mean go heaven? No, no, no. not monster” (3). Here arises another bit first philosophy what about become literary page-turner novel. this monster, then he? And would be saved him?Heike's Void radical experiment whether or atonement Christ, as preached Church, truly infinite eternal, without limits, else. if else, how any hope for ever enough? There no arithmetic salvation novel, neat economies equations, even variables functions express them. bicycle paid piggy bank pennies. Instead, there urgent but questions mercy indeed, Book “overpowereth justice” (Alma 34:15), does, do actually believe hated someone, them grace? their suicide? How accidental homicide? Planned deliberate Mass planned homicide then? Is endless?At heart story, adding warmth urgency, Arrow Beamon, man terrible judgment led appetites aversions, making ridiculous miscalculations, noble ignoble gestures, yet holding my wholehearted support every moment on page. When faced hard question, comforts wife assurances “When get into Celestial Kingdom we'll watch movie figure out” (202). It's pat answer heard before, trivial, “cringe” especially context exacting reason thoughtfulness rest Yet Arrow's meek hapless voice, somehow poignant, one most subtle ways considers possibly contain all knowledge power who God.Heike herself terrifying, driven different sort than Arrow's. She answers violence terror tragedy life own making. courts, grieves, subverts “envoidment” (43). end, pressing obvious remain unanswered. Does choose stay where love, brutal revenge?The least satisfying novel's characters pair guardian angels interact interfere mortal knowing anything it, writer's workshop tool been better left unseen workshop. Perhaps should count himself among people ought able tell story heavenly acting narratively disruptive unnecessary chorus. I've read Press Nephi cut size, beat already confessing “in canon” (as they say fanfiction studies) “wretched” droopy. Maybe that's why neither recutting me. We're ready now.What me, after years fiction Dialogue, finding charmingly written characterized, gripping is, ostensibly, thing makes Church other backwater conservative religious American subcultures. goes beyond same kinds accounts prejudice oppression find following #churchtrauma #exfundie tags TikTok. addresses timeless social spiritual grievances Christianity itself, some pasty simulacrum Christianity. Through Peck's artistic experimentation come grace vocabulary, syllogisms, stories. Such tiny dog park, whole all.