This book changed my life.
I was introduced to Quo Vadis? by my dear friend and bibliophile, Charles. I will never understand literature the way he does. His criticism of literature goes far beyond the surface, plot points, and themes. Charles is my literary hero. He loaned me his copy of Quo Vadis? some ten years ago while we were researching The Franklin Sex Scandal. The idea was to retell Quo Vadis? using themes and events culled from TFSS. What came to fruition was my third book, The Arbiter's Nephew. Well conceived, poorly executed, it was the first book I had ever adapted. I simply wasn't ready to write the book. Some ten years later, I have embarked on a full rewrite of The Arbiter's Nephew, which is now titled, The Arbiters.
I am really enjoying rewriting this book. I feel free - not tied to Quo Vadis? in any specific way. I've set the book in 1985 Los Angeles, specifically in the drug world. On the surface, The Arbiters is a crime drama. Unless you are a savvy reader acquainted with Rome in the time of Nero, or have read Quo Vadis? (or have seen the beautiful 1951 film), you wouldn't know that The Arbiters is an adaptation of Quo Vadis?. Sometimes, that's the point. When Apocalypse Now first came to the theaters, not too many people knew it was an adaptation of Joseph Conrad's (no relation damn it) Heart of Darkness. Someday, I hope to see my re-envisaging of Quo Vidas? on the big screen. The book will be available in the spring of 2015. I have Charles to thank for helping me to read beyond the words, to look for the story that is beneath the actual story.
Here's a sneak peak at the cover:
I am really enjoying rewriting this book. I feel free - not tied to Quo Vadis? in any specific way. I've set the book in 1985 Los Angeles, specifically in the drug world. On the surface, The Arbiters is a crime drama. Unless you are a savvy reader acquainted with Rome in the time of Nero, or have read Quo Vadis? (or have seen the beautiful 1951 film), you wouldn't know that The Arbiters is an adaptation of Quo Vadis?. Sometimes, that's the point. When Apocalypse Now first came to the theaters, not too many people knew it was an adaptation of Joseph Conrad's (no relation damn it) Heart of Darkness. Someday, I hope to see my re-envisaging of Quo Vidas? on the big screen. The book will be available in the spring of 2015. I have Charles to thank for helping me to read beyond the words, to look for the story that is beneath the actual story.
Here's a sneak peak at the cover:
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