The Leavers

Literature

The tale of three friends from Ukraine in the late nineteen nineties and their adventures in immigrating to Canada. Ivan, a computer programmer has little problem. His friend Sergie does not have the proper profession and therefore must be more inventive. He tries several different methods. He marries an old Canadian woman, Dolly, who dies before he is granted a visa. He then pays the police a bribe, becomes an arrested homosexual and meets a homosexual from Toronto claiming he is gay. After his gay 'lover' leaves him, he tries to get refugee status. Their third friend, Sveta doesn't much wish to immigrate but as it is at the moment fashionable in Ukraine, she goes along and does everything but put her papers in.

The tale focuses on the presumption that it is not really so much the country as it is the person's being that determines what his life will be like. If a person is hard working in Ukraine and living a normal life, he will continue in Canada and become quite successful. If a person is a lazy alcoholic in Ukraine, he will be one in Canada. The country in itself will not make him a better person.

 

 

The Dummy Gods

(Formally titled 'Morcashia')

Political fairy tale

"We expect so much from a world that offers so little. No wonder we suffer." Thus begins the novel, THE DUMMY GODS

Benton Morcashia the III has everything. He is one of the wealthiest men in the world. He can buy anything and do anything. The trouble is: he has done everything. He is now very fat from his over experienced life and as a result is very depressed. His assistant, the mysterious Mr. Cobbs suggests he become a King. One country which unfortunately is in the throes of civil unrest, rapid inflation, a pitiful national football team and a million other things, agrees. The arrangements are made, contracts signed and a referendum held. There is surprisingly little opposition and Benton Morcashia the III becomes King. Everything seems to be going well and Benton believes he has once again found happiness and purpose in his life. But he still hasn't left America yet. Trouble begins as soon as he arrives in his new country. After only a week, the situation deteriorates and after three assassination attempts, international scandals and investigations, water shortages, a massacre, car bombs, torturing and murdering and violent protests, Benton abdicates. Benton loses his vast wealth except the wisdom gained from the experience.