A Word from the Author of The Lost Prophets
Influenced by John Bunyan's 1678 best seller The Pilgrim's Progress, I always had it in the back of my mind to write a novel using that book as a model. Of course, I was not original in my approach. Many books have been written using that vane before and after Mr. Bunyan's, but I believe his was one of the first to depict the journey of man's soul in allegory popular book form.
Okay what does this have to do with the author of The Lost Prophets you ask? Well nothing. But since this web site is about a book, I think it is important to give you a frame of reference as to the formation of the novel, and to give credit to the wonderful works of art floating around all of us which influenced the writing of my simple book?
Gimpel Lee is my pen name. It is a tribute to two people: Isaac Singer and Dr. Grace Farell Lee. Gimpel was taken from Mr. Singer's character Gimpel in, Gimpel the Fool and Lee was taken from the college professor who introduced me to Isaac Singer's writings. The Lost Prophets is a historical fiction written in the present, but aware of the many connections of the past and the future. In an era when there is so much ethnic and religious division, this book is my small attempt to foster peace.
"Do not cry over spilt milk. Do not dwell on the faults and sins of the past. Leave them alone; leave them to God...Often the despondence caused by sin is more wrong, and keeps one away from God more than the sin itself. Don't waste time being discouraged. Get up and go to God. Draw near to Him. Do not stand back hanging your head."
- Rev. Daniel Considine, S.J.
