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Jody Gerbig held a book signing yesterday at Art Access in Columbus, OH. She did a reading and talked about her background and the narrative choices she made when writing Unmasked. The event was reported a success.
Today I came across an article in The Guardian that discussed a debate at the Edinburgh International Book Festival. The topic under consideration was whether British biblio-couple Richard & Judy should be pushing good literature rather than pablum.
My interest in that particular debate is very slight (I’ve never seen the show after all), but a statement made by novelist Andrew O’Hagen caught my attention.
‘When you speak to students, if you teach on a creative writing course, often what you find is that they are not interested in life at the level of the sentence,’ he said. ‘When you try to activate some interest, they find that slightly distracting. What they want to talk about is what it would be like to be a famous novelist.’
The problem is, if, as an author, you don’t value life at the level of the sentence, you’ll never be a famous, or even successful, novelist. As an editor, I see the results all the time of the apathy O’Hagan speaks of. A kind of carelessness toward the words that are the materials of the craft—a disregard for euphony, syntax, and even clarity. The whole universe of the story is contained in each and every sentence. The sentence is where the characters live and breathe. If you want to be a novelist that’s where you have to be.
According to the results of an experiment by three neuroscientists, the region (called the IFO) of the brain active when actually experiencing disgust, delight, or pain is also stimulated when observing someone who is experiencing those feelings or when reading about such an experience:
The team found that the IFO was activated in all three tasks. They say that this similarity between first-hand experience and imagination helps to explain why fiction can be so compelling. “This is why books and movies work – they stimulate the area of the brain which is involved in what it really feels like to be disgusted,” says Christian Keysers, a member of Jabbi’s team. – from New Scientist magazine
On the eve of the Second World war, Dr. Gerhard Denninger, a German archeologist is approached by infamous Grail seeker Otto Rahn who tells him a fantastic story of Templars, Church scandal, a long-buried manuscript, and the key to finding the famous lost treasure of the Cathars. In 1944, with the help of a group of American soldiers, Denninger continues his quest for the secret of the Cathar treasure. With dangers dogging them at every step, will they find what they’re seeking? And will they be prepared for the shocking discovery that awaits them?
Read an Interview with the Author
Read another Interview with the Author
Listen to Dan McNeil’s interview on the Tony Kay radio show
What Other Readers Have Said:
I was blown away by this book, it twists and turns, leading you on an amazing journey. Really enjoyed the historical and biblical references, but it’s mixed with non-stop action! This guy’s obviously done some homework! – Steve @ Barnes & Noble
Great reading for the holidays. [...] I have purchased several copies for family and friends. – a reviewer @ Barnes & Noble
A truly compelling blend of history and page-turning suspense. Highly recommended! – a reviewer @ Barnes & Noble
Riveting Story. [...] One of the best books I’ve read in a long time. Highly recommend it. – a reviewer @ Barnes & Noble
Dan McNeil’s vivid description, compelling and lyrical prose will submerge you into a fascinating read with this page turning, fictional, and historical suspense. Emotional, charging and an excellent novel, which I highly recommend. – Selena Robbins @ Amazon.ca
I really enjoyed this book. Having never heard of Dan McNeil, my expectations weren’t high but I was riveted from the first page. Once I started, I couldn’t put it down. I’m looking forward to his next book. – Mike @ Barnes & Noble
Wow! Just finished reading The Judas Apocalypse. I even put my current book aside just to see if it was as good as you said. I found that I never went back to the book I was reading as the JA captured my attention. What an exciting read. Everything that I ever believed in has been put into question. I was raised in the Evangelical faith and this certainly gives one food for thought. If it is to be believed then the whole Christian Faith could be turned upside down, inside out and back to front. Still Faith is all any of us have and that at the end of the day is what we hold on to isn’t it? I doubt that the Catholic Church would see it that way somehow. I am still pondering the revelations in the book and I am sure will be for a while. I loved the whole story line and it was certainly not ludicrous as Dan Brown’s Books were. Well the story line that is. Dan Brown eat your heart out. Move over – here comes the next best seller! – Miriam Campbell
Highly recommended. I ordered this book on the recommendation of a friend and I wasn’t sure what to expect but I found myself drawn into the story very quickly. I usually read more contemporary books, but this story about a treasure hunt in the middle of World War 2 was fascinating and the ending really makes you think. If you’re looking for a really good wintertime read, this is a good book to curl up in front of a fire with. I would highly recommend this one. – Derek King “for Carole Wood” @ Amazon.com
This book is outstanding from both a historical and fictional mystery perspective. Dan Mcneil’s book possess all the ingredients of classic mystery novel both intellegent and entertaining. Bravo! – Mier Lawy @ Amazon.ca
Move Over Dan Brown – There is a new Dan in town.This was a very exciting read. It is a well crafted, well written, and especially a well researched book similar in many ways to the Da Vinci Code. Books generally take me 2 – 3 weeks to read but i finished this over a weekend!!! Anyone who has enjoyed Dan Brown’s work will enjoy this superb first book by Dan McNeil. – bobbydelan @ Barnes and Noble
Entertaining Adventure.The book is a definite must read if you don’t mind a modern take on the early days of Christianity. If you have enjoyed Da Vinci Code and Master and Margarita and are a blockbuster fan – read The Judas Apocalypse. The brave take on a New Testament transforms into a treasure chasing adventure through the thick of The World War 2. Germans, Frenchmen and Americans – all mixed in action, sometimes giving the author hard time with the dialogs. Regardless – the dialogs are written in such a great converse manner that you may start seeing and hearing the characters standing out from the pages. Small details, like Hitler-Jugend fighters using lumber measured in Imperial Inches, direct flight from yet non-existent in 1944 Tibet airport to Germany or exotic submarine trip from Germany to France – are great additions to the feeling of reading a screenplay to the box-record Hollywood blockbuster. When it hits the screens I will be the first in the line to the ticket office. Recommended reading! – Andrei Fillippov @ Amazon.ca
An Intriguing Spin. If you have a passion for stories about the lost treasure of the Cathars and love mysteries surrounding the Templars and you enjoy adventures linked to the Holy Grail and Church scandals, you will probably love this novel. With “The Judas Apocalypse†Mr McNeil puts an intriguing spin on these subjects.
Dr Gerhard Denninger an archaeologist is approached by the infamous Grail hunter Otto Rhan, with a fantastic story about a long buried manuscript, a key to finding the famous lost treasure of the Cathars and needs his help to find it. If this was the entire premise, it would have been an average mystery but Mr McNeil adds more intriguing elements to the story: it takes place in the 40’s during WW11; Dr Denninger is working for the S.S. and a member of Himmler’s Ahnenerbe (the heritage bureau). Helping Otto Rhan will put him in a delicate situation and in a dilemma with both Hitler and Himmler who had dedicated much money to find the Holy Grail and religious artefacts believing it would help them win the war.
After a short introduction you mistakenly think the story is going to be on the drab side but things start to go wild and take many twists and turns when Dr Denniger finds himself in the back alley of Carlotta’s (a period club), from then on there is non stop action. The dialogs all through reflect the characters diversity as the story unfolds but I wonder if the language in the 40’s was as colourfully spoken …(Occasionally a little overdone on the raw side). Although the plots at times were far fetched and improbable (solders fighting amongst themselves while the enemy is in their proximity), just the same it made for a fantastic read.
I couldn’t help imagining a Hollywood screen play with Harrison Ford as the lead character
….. Wishing Dr Denninger long life and hoping to see him in a sequel someday …. Congratulations Mr McNeil on a very entertaining first novel. – Toni Osborne, Chapters Indigo review
McNeil has done a very nice job of creating a fast-paced story around the facts and legends surrounding the Cathar treasure. It is entertaining and well worth reading, especially for those who enjoy Templar or adventure stories. Highly recommended. — Debra Spidal, Historical Novels Review Online
Amazing Historical Fiction. I thoroughly enjoyed The Judas Apocalypse, and found it hard to put down. The historical background was so authentic. The characters were highly believable. The plot had enough twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat. I would recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction as well as an exciting story. It is well worth reading. – Linda M. P. Sloan @ Amazon.com
Thoroughly Enjoyable! Simply, I enjoy a book that draws me into the story and takes me to a different time and place. This book made me forget I was sitting in my own bed and had to go to work in the morning.
That is what a good book can do for you.
Loved this book! – Jim Devlin @ Amazon.com
A new ‘Dan’ on the block I picked up this book as probably one of the millions for whom the genre’s pack leader, Dan Brown, leaves an aching void. I’m delighted to say this story is so much more believable than the Hollywood twaddle we are fed by the other Dan. Dan McNeil is a darn good story teller, and weaves this gripping tale from the Crucifixion itself to the Cathar tragedy of the Middle Ages then with exciting twists and turns through both World Wars. For me the hero, a middle aged German named Denninger who detests the Nazis, is a wholly believable character who you you just hope will be able to step up to the mark despite his obvious frailties. He does so with flying colors, despite the best efforts of some moronic US GIs to screw the whole thing up. I like the way McNeil takes a swipe at the French, the Germans, the Vatican, the whole Christian church and, of course, the Americans, bless ‘em. But don’t get me wrong, you’ll still love this even if you are a bible-belt tub-thumping preacher, a Lutheran, a Huguenot or a plain old RC. It’ll make you think. The truth is out there — Rock On Dan McNeil. – A.J. Forrest @ Amazon.com
I found this book to be a very interesting and fast moving action book. It kept my interest cover to cover. The subject of the book is very relevant and up to date interest wise. Once I started reading I could not put it down. I even missed a meal because I got so engrossed in the book that I lost all track of time. The writing style is very reader friendly no matter what your age group, and the author has a really good knack of making you want to keep reading every page with great attention to details and twists and turns. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes an exciting read with a fascinating topic and who loves a suspense filled mystery. This book will hold your interest right up to the very last page. – Marique Travquin @ Amazon.com
Exceptional Riveting, exciting are only just a couple of words to describe this book. Definitely a book you will want to read in one sitting – couldn’t wait to pick up where I left off when having to break from it. An excellent display of creativity blended with an obvious amazing amount of research. I recommend this book an excellent read, guaranteed not to disappoint.
Enjoy. – Cathie Lively @ Amazon.ca
[small spoilers ahead] Well I’m a sucker for any conspiracy theory/treasure hunt/history related mystery, so you already had me at the first glimpse on the back cover, that I have to admit. Of course everyone has read their Da Vinci Codes, so you cannot help having the memory of that story going through your mind at first. But, once I got past the first few chapters and discarded any preconsumptions, I just got glued to the book! Even as there were few far-too-imaginative twists in the plot (the end of flight from Tibet, the submarine, Rahn’s cat-like lives, Denninger’s skills with explosives..), the story was absolutely mind-boggling! No matter how many times you might have read about Cathars, Templars or any other secret society related to the story of Jesus, you can always get fascinated by a new one. Solving the mystery seemed a bit too easy at times, but fast pace made the story going and the four soldiers brought their own flavour to the story. I gotta admit I couldn’t see their point at first, but how the characters got bound to the story in the end..I was sad to see Markham go without glory on the find. And what happened to Etienne?! He could have become handy in the very end by being a witness.. Most of all, I absolutely loved the story line of the Cathar treasure, what it turned out to be in the end. Gotta say it one more time; just mind-boggling. And what kind of a fascinating sequel this’d make! All the speculations, re-written world history, what kind of changes there would be in modern world..I’d get that book in a heartbeat! – pippis @ Bookcrossing
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Unmasked is the story of Culler, a young woman who has shielded herself from grief since the death of her twin brother Frankie. When she discovers that the relationships in which she has immersed herself are not as solid and protective as she supposed, her life is shaken up, forcing her to struggle with the ghosts of her past and the troubles of her present. From Epiphany to Carnival, Gerbig takes us into the heart of New Orleans with an unforgettable cast of characters: Chase, the king of the Rex Krewe and Culler’s boyfriend; Nola, a man named for the city, embodying in himself many of its traits; Sarah, a childhood friend of both Culler and Frankie, harboring a secret grief of her own; Rosemary, another friend of Culler’s, trying to squeeze herself into her fiancé’s country club world; and Bunk, a young asthmatic boy who dreams of taking his rightful place among the Mardi Gras Indians. As the annual ritual of Mardi Gras works its transforming magic, Culler and the people around her are changed forever.
Read an Interview with the Author
Listen to Jody Gerbig’s interview on the Tony Kay radio show
What Other Readers Have Said:
The characters in this novel lead the reader through the chaos and the beautiful that is Mardi Gras in New Orleans. – Barbara Unverferth @ Amazon.com
Having lived in New Orleans for 5 years and visited many of the hot spots Jody describes in this setting, I loved every single minute of this book. Couldn’t put it down. Especially the Mardi Gras scene where Culler hangs out in a hotel room with a Bourbon Street balcony – been there! And the way Jody described some of the scenes really took me back to my days there. The characters really came to life for me. – Kimberly Stuckenbrock “NOLA book lover” @ Amazon.com
Unmasked is a story about a young woman (Culler) coming to terms with the tragedies in life. However, the book follows several different characters all related somehow through another character. Each character has their own story within the story of Culler. I enjoyed the Carnival ride through Mardi Gras and the colorful scene Jody Gerbig painted. – gecko4ever @ BookCrossing.com
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