|
VISION | MISSION | INTROSPECTION | LEARNING | GROWTH | JUSTICE | EQUALITY |
|
|
|
VISION | MISSION | INTROSPECTION | LEARNING | GROWTH | JUSTICE | EQUALITY |
|
|
 MENSIGHT About Archive Links Advertise
|
Two Dog River is a novel written just for men. Given our post-feminist and politically correct climate, this simple intention is, apparently, radical. Radical because this purpose explicitly recognizes that men are, in fact, men(!). Men are not "persons" as neutrally, gender-blurred entities. Two Dog River recognizes that manhood (and late adolescence-into-manhood) is a unique time of distinctive male being. Such insight was gained upon deep reflection of my involvement in a particular outdoor pursuit: whitewater kayaking (even more so than whitewater rafting). What I came to realize is that (at least at the time) whitewater kayaking is perhaps one of the last completely male institutions. An attempt to capture the essence of the whitewater experience would not be true, therefore, unless the same effort was dedicated to understanding and capturing the uniquely male qualities of the experience. Hence, the spiritual and emotional themes, which emerge from my subconscious and creatively synthesize into the work, resonate with much of the insightful material already offered by Robert Bly in particular. Therefore, I feel that Two Dog River is a men’s issues treatise. Two Dog River essentially follows a group of older boys as they transition into manhood. Including mythical overtones, the story takes place in the intensely beautiful and powerful setting of a wild river in deep wilderness. In sincere reflection while writing the work, I came to strongly feel the importance of men keeping their exclusive company during this time of change. Likewise, I could see and feel that clearly there had been older men and "elder" peers who were vital in my own transition from boyhood into manhood. Most importantly my own loving and often firm father was essential to this development. Period. Needless to say, the importance of boys and young men having a loving and disciplining father is woven into Two Dog River. Further reflection offered other insights. For example, I came to realize there simply exists a "spirit of men" as we commune in exclusive company. Such feelings link one into a universal manhood particularly intensified by natural beauty, danger, adventure and risk. Such a state of being is deeply satisfying and packed with male love. This is a cherished time of brotherly efficiency in deep communion while "under fire." This time is simply not the same when women are present. Finally, and departing somewhat from traditional men’s issues literature. I feel that women (or a special woman) offer a final influence in a boy’s transition into manhood. Of course, such influence does not preclude the previous and vital aspects of exclusive male camaraderie, elder peers and elder men. I humbly offer Two Dog River as (hopefully!) an entertaining and spirited work of fiction to help men enter into the textural experience of the themes of our unique, male being. This is an idealistic work. However, Two Dog River recognizes the "dark side" of men. This story can easily see that men often damage, if not destroy other men¾ particularly fathers who abandon boys. For this reason, it is my sincere hope that by and with this story we find each other and re-commit to distinctive manhood and to each other. As a word of warning, Two Dog River is not for the weak-kneed. The sexuality presented is both vivid and potent; and combines mythology, Hinduism and Christianity. Likewise, the language is distinctively male and completely devoid of politically correct bastardizations of the English language (humankind and personhood). Needless-to-say, Two Dog River is adult ready only. Two Dog River is by no means chauvinistic (prejudicial belief in the superiority of men). However, both (American, political) liberals and feminists will most like be horrified by both its content and language. I take such repulsion as a sign that I have succeeded in capturing the essence of our male spirit. Happy reading and long may you run Bro! E-mail:
, Webmaster |
