Notes on "The Thousand-Year Voyage"

I would like to clear some things up concerning my novel "The Thousand-Year Voyage." I feel this is necessary both because I do not want misunderstandings to hinder my reputation, and also because I believe I owe it to you, the reader.

Those of you who have been following my writing for a while know that I published a novel back in 2009 called "The Thousand-Year Voyage." (Innovo Publishing, 2009) It is a very controversial novel in the sense that it attacks many aspects of society. From the very beginning, the lead character (whose name goes unannounced) has something against people in general. He embarks on a mission to discover why people have evil tendencies, and what can be done about it. He becomes a self-proclaimed preacher, spreading his beliefs throughout the world and gaining a huge following. The book is written from the perspective of this man, and so at times it feels as though he is trying to convert even the reader! He eventually ends up leading an army of people and angels in a bloody battle against Satan and his demons.

   Apart from the controversial (and, at times, preachy) nature of the book, the book is written with a very unique style of writing that I feel like I need to explain. The Thousand-Year Voyage contains a number of mistakes, this I know. There are a few errors with punctuation, a few misused words and some sentences could have been written better. I am well aware of these errors, my publisher and I was aware of them before we agreed to publish the book. At the time I thought the reasoning behind these "mistakes" would be obvious. However, I am learning that some readers do not pay close attention to what I mention in the Forward part of the book, and are writing me asking me if I am aware of the errors in the book. One obvious error that has been pointed out a number of times is in the title. On the book, the title reads "The Thousand Year Voyage." It SHOULD read "The Thousand-Year Voyage." The fact is that I intended for the title to read like it does because it is all part of the story. The same with MOST of the errors in the book--they are all part of the story!

   Let me explain myself. In the beginning of the story we learn that a mysterious book has been discovered by an elderly gentleman. The book--which we learn has traveled through time from the far future--was written, in great haste, by an ordinary young man whose only reason for writing the book was to convey to the world the amazing events that he witnessed. He was not so concerned with errors, and he sure as heck didn't have an editor sitting there with him reviewing his work! The book that the elderly gentleman discoveres at the beginning of the story came straight from the writer. Therefore, to maintain MY book's authenticity, I have left the book just as he wrote it--errors with punctuation, misused words and unusual sentence flow.

I realize that my decision to purposefully publish a book that contains errors in it may seem to most people to be foolish...or just plain weird. The truth is that I wanted to create something unique for the literary world; something off the wall and strange. A bold move for a first book, yes. All I know is that I do not regret my decision. I only ask that you please try to have an open mind when reading my book "The Thousand-Year Voyage." After all, that IS the message behind the book.

   In spite of the controversy and mixed feelings that my novel produces, it still has managed to receive rave reviews from creditable sources:

"...Has all the hallmarks of successful fiction, it draws and keeps the reader's attention, and is thought provoking during and after reading."
-Tony Murrell, Wordsru

"It is full of irony, wisdom and humor, wonderfully written. I really enjoyed it, at times laughed out loud at its subtle humor. Good story and positive morals."
-Jon Huer, author and Professor of Sociology

"The Thousand Year Voyage is a fictional story of an unassuming man who embarks on an inspiring and thought-provoking journey, revealing that all things are possible through faith in God..."

-Bart Dahmer, Innovo Publishing

"This is a literary tale reminiscent of H.G. Wells, C.S. Lewis or Isaac Asimov at times. As such, plenty of attention is given to surroundings, character motivation and thought."

-Brian Reaves, author, Stolen Lives

   AND it has maintained a 4.5 star rating on Amazon.com.

   To learn more about one of the most unique books that you will ever read, visit THIS LINK.

  

   Thanks for reading,

   Casey Sean Harmon