Father Ernesto, a quirky, not-quite celibate priest, loses his way. His rebirth is packed with surprise as he uncovers the complicated secrets he has created.
On its face, Shades of Truth is a love story in which transformative kindness trumps all else, a tale of love, loss and redemption with an unexpected and fulfilling ending. From a more penetrating perspective, the book reflects the universal struggle with the issues of truth, reality and meaning.
Set in Charleston, South Carolina and the Isle of Capri, Shades of Truth is crafted as a thought-provoking story, ideal for book club presentations.
The author is a retired career clinical psychologist living in Charleston. This is his debut novel.
Freeman, Douglas J.: -
To you, the reader: I need your help. Self-published books are marketed through written reviews, advertising and word of mouth. I ask you to leave a review on Amazon.com and/or Goodreads.com or your favorite book site. I invite you to share your impressions of this book with other readers.
Writing this book has been a challenging adventure for me. I hope you have found enjoyment and meaning.
In our time, the truth have been brought into confusion and conflict. We are perpetually blasted by media proclaiming the truth. This is so in several critical spheres of influence, inclulding social, empirical and religious. We are engaged in a struggle to discover who will own "Truth" and who will own "truth."
Deeper Truths are shaped over the millenia through literature, philosophy and religion. Empirical truth is discovered through science and experimentation. Let us hope it will remain so.
I acknowledge voices from my past who have influenced me. My earnest mother Margaret who pressed my finest clothes every Saturday night in preparation for mandatory Sunday School. My most capable brother Dennis whose path I followed until I found my own.
I acknowledge voices of the future on whom my experiments with parenting and grandparenting are ongoing and imperfect: Emily, Michael and Gordon, followed by Graham, Lucy, Lily and Grace.
Thanks for the support and suggestions of the Daniel Island, South Carolina, Writers Group. Thanks for the critical feedback of Beta Readers: Emily Guerrero, John and Kate Worm, Lynn Carlton, Rebo Reeves, Robert Renly Morris and Greg Sherry.
Questions for Reading Groups
1. What is the definition of a Universal Truth? What is the definition of truth?
2. How has religion obscured, or informed, the meaning of Truth (truth) over the past 150 years? How has science defined truth over the past 150 years? How might the meaning of Truth (or truth) be altered by the forces of religion, science and politics over the next 150 years?
3. How many ways are Truth (or truth) represented in this novel?
4. How do each of the main characters express their understanding of Truth (or truth)?
