Today it's my pleasure to kick off the BlogTour for Into the Summerland by Julian Cundy. It's a short and thoughtful piece of fiction. Into the Summerland is speculative, spiritual and perhaps even motivational at times.
About the Author
Living in Westcliff-on-Sea Essex, Julian Cundy is a British adventurer, dedicated day dreamer, wordsmith and observer of life and all its absurdities. He is a recognisable character in his home town thanks to his eye-catching outfits comprising fine hats, cravats, tails and spats.
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Buy Into the Summerland
About the book
The eternal question - what happens when we die? Is there a consequence from how we lived? Is there a reckoning?
Henry Ashton's turbulent life is at an end. As he moves on from this world, he discovers how elusive the final peace can be.With a spirit companion by his side, Henry learns there can be no peace without reconciliation, no rest without acceptance. He must walk his own path to absolution.
"For some souls the transition from mortal life to eternal peace is an easy one, soon completed. For others, who have been troubled in their life or who cannot reconcile the events and their part in them, the journey is longer...and harder. But every soul will find its rest."
I wonder how many of us would choose to relive both the highlights and the lowest points in our lives, even after death and as a last task before passing on to the next level. Assuming there is one to pass on or over to in the first place, but I suppose that depends on each individuals faith, belief or complete lack of either.
In this novella length story the reader revisits the past with the newly departed Henry, who has to have closure with all the emotionally charged moments of his life in an attempt to find peace in himself , his actions and decisions. This session, which appears to be endless and without any time constraints, is a challenge he needs to succeed at in order to move on.
It is a lesson in reflection and speaks to the walls we build inside our minds and hearts to seal off the most painful memories. Everyone makes mistakes, and there are no do-overs in life. We aren't born with a manual on how to take the best path in each situation.
It is a thoughtful piece of fiction. I suppose if seen from a more psychoanalytical perspective one could also view Chuttlewizz as the conscience urging Henry to look back upon his life and make peace with his internal fears, anger and also the small pockets of joy and tranquillity. He doesn't believe he deserves the latter and regrets the former.
Although this can be perceived as a spiritual story, it is quite simply a natural progression towards the end of a life. The older we get the more we tend to dwell on the paths taken, the mistakes we made and any possible regrets we may have. It's interesting how we tend to focus on the negative rather than reminisce about the positive and happy times.
What I really liked was the inference or premise that after death our souls need to be whole again before they can be released. The notion that we need to fix the holes in our souls to be able to move on and rest in peace. Perhaps we shouldn't wait until our last breath to do so.
It is speculative, spiritual and perhaps even motivational at times.
Buy Into the Summerland at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.
Paperback edition Kindle edition
Publisher: Little Bang Publishing
Length 77 pages
Follow the Tour:
Monday 11th June Cheryl M-M’s Book Blog
Tuesday 12th June Wrong Side of Forty
Wednesday 13th June Spiritual Media Blog
Thursday 14th June Abooktasia
Friday 15th June Portable Magic
Monday 18th June Big Book Little Book
Tuesday 19th June Belleandthenovel
Wednesday 20th June A Daydreamer’s Thoughts
Thursday 21st June Portable Magic
Saturday 23rd June Cupcake Mumma
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