Interview with Michael O’Brien about Adeodatus

Michael D. O’Brien is a remarkably prolific author, iconographer, and painter, endlessly creating staggering works of art that break the reader’s heart (in the best way). O’Brien is the author of many tremendous novels, including The Father’s Tale, Father Elijah: An Apocalypse, Voyage to Alpha Centauri, The Fool of New York City, The Lighthouse, and more. His novels have been translated into twelve languages and widely reviewed in both secular and religious media in North America and Europe. The Lighthouse is currently being developed into a feature film by the filmmakers behind Paul, Apostle of Christ and The Blind.

Adeodatus is his latest work, the second book of what is being called The Remnant Trilogy, and sequel to Letter to the Future. In the aftermath of a mysterious, civilization-altering conflagration – one that is perhaps part terrestrial and part celestial in nature – the survivors attempt to pick up the pieces.

O’Brien recently spoke with Catholic World Report about his new book, the evangelizing role of apocalyptic literature, and more.

Catholic World Report: Tell us a little about this Remnant Trilogy, which began with Letter to the Future, and now continues with Adeodatus. How did the series come about? Was it always envisioned as a trilogy?

Michael O’Brien: The trilogy is the fruit of many years—decades actually—of pondering Sacred Scripture as well as Church-approved private revelation. I have continually asked God for wisdom and discernment regarding the vast wealth of Christian prophetic sources that speak about the “end times.” In short, I have no definitive answer other than to follow the words of Jesus, “Stay awake and watch.”

Yet a parallel question has been with me all the way: How might the role of Christian fiction help people of Faith discern the signs of the times, if indeed our era proves to be the times the prophets, saints, and the Lord himself foretold? Thus, as an author, it was incumbent on me to go very carefully in creating a fictional scenario, avoiding on one hand anything that might influence a reader towards taking my imaginative reflections as some kind of neo-Gnostic route map, or survivor’s manual; and avoiding on the other hand the opposite pole of denial.

CWR: One could describe these books as a sort of “post-apocalyptic” literature; is there something about the style of post-apocalyptic literature that allows you to make such incisive social commentary, unique from other genres?

Michael O’Brien: Obviously, the realm of culture is currently seething with apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic scenarios, ranging from the patently absurd to the mercenary box-office ploys to a spectrum of more serious speculations. Much of it arises from a kind of world-dread that afflicts contemporary man, and culture provides an outlet for him to exteriorize the internal fears in search of resolution. Much of this proliferating genre is riddled with contradictions. And, sadly, much of it grossly distorts the truths of the Scriptures and ignores, when it does not violate, the Church’s wise cautions regarding eschatological matters.

Of course, it is inherent in human nature to try to find the causes of our normal sufferings in life and to imagine doing something about it in order to find relief. Apocalypse, however, presents a catastrophic abundance of sufferings so overwhelming that a “solution” is impossible. Thus, the response tends to be either terror or despair. Tragically, much of contemporary culture offers as a solution only the tired clichés of power, money, and insider knowledge as the means for survival, along with muscle and technology, and increasingly in novels and films the additional spice of sexual license and creepy preternatural “super-powers.” In contrast, I hoped to present one of many possible scenarios for the primary purpose of stimulating reflection on the core questions, the ones that should be asked by every generation of followers of Christ:

Am I awake, not only intellectually or analytically, but most importantly, spiritually?

Am I prayerfully reading the signs of my times?

Am I committed in heart, mind, and soul to following Jesus, regardless of the cost?

Am I willing to lose everything for the sake of Truth?

Will I die to myself so that others may live?

Am I ruled by fear, or am I constantly growing in trust in the Lord?

In what do I ultimately place my confidence?

Where do I see Divine Providence at work in my life, and how might it manifest during times of maximum trial?

What is the role of Mercy in relation to Justice?

CWR: The book is both a sequel to Letter to the Future and also about St. Augustine’s son, Adeodatus. How do these go hand in hand?

Michael O’Brien: I’ll have to let the story itself answer that question for readers. But a couple of clues may suffice for now: First, God is the Master of Time. And second, we are living in the Communion of Saints.

CWR: As usual, you did the cover art for the book, as you are a talented iconographer and artist. Is there symbolism or a deeper meaning in this art?

Michael O’Brien: The cover art for Adeodatus is simply a dramatic scene from the story, literal, not symbolic. I might mention, however, that the cover art for both volume one, Letter to the Future, and volume three, River of Stars (scheduled for release in 2027), is rich in symbolism.

CWR: It’s fascinating to me that the conflagration that is such an important point in Letter to the Future and Adeodatus seems to be not only some sort of terrestrial (possibly nuclear) conflict, but also a monumental point of spiritual warfare. Do these necessarily go hand in hand?

Michael O’Brien: It’s my belief that it does. The battle between good and evil will last until the end of time. For example, in our ordinary human crises, there is always a dimension of spiritual temptation—and the potential for blessing as well. It seems reasonable to me, then, that during the ultimate trial for mankind our ancient adversary the devil will seek to corrupt as much as he can by prompting us to rage or terror, or sinful false consolations, and ultimately disbelief in the goodness of God.

CWR: Is this a personal story for you? Are there elements or characters that come from your own experiences, your own anxieties, your own hopes?

Michael OBrien: Yes, I think so, insofar as these struggles are common to all of us in varying degrees. Many details of the story are derived from my own life and the world of people and circumstances around me. As a point of interest, one chapter deals with the main character’s experiences as a boy in the Arctic. This is based on my own experience, which was exactly as described in that “fictional” account.

CWR: What do you hope readers will take away from this book?

Michael O’Brien: My hope is that readers will have an experience of Hope. By this I don’t mean a kind of shallow optimism or naturally sunny temperament. I mean the supernatural gift of God, which we must ask Him for.

CWR: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Michael O’Brien: The trilogy offers but one of many possible forms the future might take if mankind does not change its ways. A civilization that has largely abandoned God and spreads the spirit of falsehood and murder at every turn, indeed one that calls evil good and good evil, invites a purifying chastisement. Sacred Scripture warns us that it will surely come when the “cup of iniquity is full.” Only the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit know the day and the hour, but, given the nature of Love, I believe it will be the moment when the greatest number of souls will be saved.

We must also keep in mind what St. John Paul II wrote in his encyclical on Divine Mercy, where he exhorts us to have recourse to the Fatherly love revealed in Christ, and to implore His mercy on every individual, and “each lost sheep, even if they should number in the millions, even if in the world evil should prevail over goodness, even if contemporary humanity should deserve a new ‘flood’ on account of its sins, as once the generation of Noah did.” (Dives in Misericordia, VIII, 15)

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