https://www.philipraymondbrown.com/
It Gives You Strength looks like an exciting story. Can you tell us a little about it?
When asked that question I usually have a short version and a longer version. So I’ll give you both. The short version is that the book is set in 1926, New York. An alien on the primitive planet Earth is trapped in the middle of a gang war for the NY/Canada rum-running market. “Star-man meets Boardwalk Empire”.
The longer version is as follows: On a rescue mission to the distant planet Earth in 1926, an alien scientist, Tashan Zho, is transported into the dying body of bootlegger Ryan Costello. Upon his death, Costello’s body is reanimated by the alien, and endowed with supernatural powers. Unfortunately, the body is so damaged from years of alcohol abuse that the alien’s memory and his vital files are corrupted. All that remains of his mission plan is one phrase: “Find the one called Mike Kelly.” Complicating matters, the alien soon discovers that Kelly is the leader of a criminal gang of World War veterans, who are battling mobster Jack “Legs” Diamond for control of the lucrative Canada/New York rum-running market. Upon recognizing Costello's enhanced abilities and physical strength, Kelly forces the alien into the mob. Since Kelly is his only chance of discovering and completing his mission, the alien agrees. Costello soon learns his crucial task - to free an alien child from the infamous Craig Colony before his home world dispatches its “rescue armada.” A force so massive that its mere entry into the Earth’s atmosphere would devastate the planet.
The story, a mashup of historical fiction, science fiction, and fantasy, is set in upstate New York during prohibition. The fictional characters interact with actual historical figures, including mobster Jack “Legs” Diamond, heavyweight champ Jack Dempsey, and World War heroine Edith Cavell.
As a writer was it easy to mix science fiction, history and fantasy?
Science Fiction Alternate History is actually a burgeoning genre. Many novels pose ethical and moral questions about humanity. Science fiction alternate history should strive to highlight the injustices of our collective past. I tried to meet this duty by setting several pivotal chapters of the novel in the infamous Craig Colony. As difficult as it is now to believe, New York State institutionalized or ”warehoused” its citizens with seizure disorders at the Craig Colony from 1894 until it was finally closed in 1968. Men and women who had committed no crime were essentially held like prisoners. They were forbidden from having relationships, falling in love, or marrying. Since they were considered too weak and feeble to hold challenging jobs, from childhood, they were taught vocations like brick making and sewing. The physicians at the Craig Colony even lobbied the N.Y. Legislature to make marriage and cohabitation with Epileptics illegal under NY state law.
As a writer, my challenge was to in... Readmore
