Acknowledgments
Not only the title, but the plan and a good deal of the symbolism of this novel were suggested by the Biblical books Jude and Revelation. I am deeply indebted to Michael Wilcock’s study, The Message of Revelation (IVP). This book will elucidate some of the difficulties of this novel and I recommend it to anyone who thinks such an elucidation is worthwhile. To another work I am indebted, one which has influenced our generation profoundly; I mean T.S. Eliot’s poem The Wasteland. Anyone acquainted with this work will immediately recognise in this novel and indeed this acknowledgment, a remix of the entire poem, which is intended to draw reference to vegetation ceremonies.
Countless other texts too numerous to mention have been sampled in its production. Generous samples have come however, from Dante’s Purgatorio and Virgil’s Aeniad. I am indebted to an album sand.man.sky by the band Sugardrive for inadvertently providing the voice and character of Gary.
This novel has been now nine years in the making. Deep thanks must go to Paul Sharpe and Roelof Aucamp for their unstinting support and straight-faced criticism. This novel bears numerous marks of their incisive comments. Also to Keziah, who after reading an early, bloody and rough draft still consented to marry me, and who continues to believe in my throwing away my life to writing. Finally, my gracious thanks to the many, many friends who have heard of this novel, have never yet seen it, but have nevertheless believed in it.