A few weeks ago, author Christopher X. Ryan visited The Storytelling Blog to share thoughts on writing and his novel, Heliophobia.
Disclosure: Ryan provided me with a review copy of Heliophobia. I also have a business relationship with Ryan’s publisher, Montag Press, which published my Sean Joye Investigations novel, The Big Cinch.
Heliophobia, n. Dread of or shrinking from sunlight.
Oxford English Dictionary
Murray’s Fears
Heliophobia recounts the misadventures of a young man, Murray Sandman, investigating a missing pricing gun (aka, labeler). A bit of a blast from the past in our age of ubiquitous QR codes, pricing guns are Murray’s passion, and he’s an expert in their repair. But that’s just the plot. The book is actually about fears: fear of the sun, obviously, which brings Murray’s support group together each week in a repurposed school building, but also all the fearful demons of childhood, shifting family and friend roles, and romantic relationships. As Murray visits each of his associates to collect “evidence,” other issues demand his attention, culminating as Murray faces his greatest trauma to find a redemptive resolution.
Heliophobia Issues
Murray is not a typical person, even disregarding his fear of the sun. He takes in information differently than most, sometimes with difficulty, such as never clearly understanding statements heard over the radio or TV. He presents strangely and always has had a stammer. An easy target for bullying and abuse at home and at school, trauma has shaped him in many ways. Yet he perseveres. The reader is charmed by the story’s imaginative, darkly funny protagonist, marvels at his unique observations, and roots for his success.
The narrative is entertaining, with both Murray’s internal dialogue and the discussions among the characters in each scene illuminating personalities and relationships.
Quirky Characters
Murray is our unreliable first-person narrator for most of the book, with a third-person voice taking over occasionally to provide illumination and a touch of snarky commentary on the behind-the-scenes activities of supporting characters. As the story unfolds, the reader understands, long before Murray does, that nothing is what is seems to be.
Stakes are high for both Murray and his unknown nemesis. A stolen pricing gun may sound trivial, but to Murray it means a big step to a better life. And, he likes them. A lot. The unknown thief has a major beef with Murray (of which he is unaware). The story convinces the reader of the conflict, and we feel the tension, only to find even more conflicted feelings among Murray’s friends and family. People think of Murray as a linchpin, the charismatic force behind quite a lot. And Murray has no clue. The central conflict of the story shifts in the reader’s attention long before Murray realizes what he is really looking for.
The book is full of interesting people with quirky stories of their own. Jet, a cute, one-time visitor to the heliophobia support group, has a small but pivotal role, and Murray’s dog, Bugle, is a great investigative partner.
If you found Heliophobia interesting, you might enjoy reading my interview with Christopher X. Ryan.
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