Raimondo’s Newsletter for May 2007
When I wrote PEACE BE WITH YOU, I knew that some of the content would create controversy. And it has. A recent review on BarnesandNoble.com called my novel, “Revolting.” And the same reviewer said that I should be ashamed of myself for even having these kinds of thoughts. Others rushed to my defense and if nothing else, I am getting my readers to think and for a writer, that is a major accomplishment. I am a person of faith, but that doesn’t preclude me from knowing truths that extend outside the dogma of my faith. It can’t stop me from having thoughts that might upset some. PEACE BE WITH YOU hits on subjects that may make us queasy, such as abuse, alcoholism, deviant sexual behavior and suicide. We shouldn’t try to escape the fact that these things happen in our world and they happen to people close to us, if not to ourselves. PEACE BE WITH YOU is about choices and faith and it is about loyalty and sacrifice. I wanted to create characters and scenes that were complex and even confusing because all of us are complex and confusing. Life leads to death and death is frightening to me, and for as much faith as I have, I can still terrify myself at the thought of my last breath.
I want to thank everyone who has submitted reviews and comments, including those that would be perceived to be negative. Let’s continue to think and probe ourselves to a better understanding of life and death and let’s continue to talk to each other about it.
Raimondo Salomone
I welcome your comments to: Raimondo@RaimondoSalomone.com