A Review of Democracy Giant Dane Waters' New Novel, The Sunday Shift
It's common to ask: Is there a Heaven?
But let's stipulate there is, because it leads us to a better question:
How do we know if Heaven is well-governed?
That question frames a new novel by a giant of democracy M. Dane Waters. In a varied, globetrotting career, he's been a pioneer in building U.S. and international networks on direct democracy, and he's been a force for using democracy in the service of animal rights, especially for elephants.
His novel, The Sunday Shift, is about trouble in Heavenly Paradise. The plot builds around Gabriel, who after centuries as an angel, ends up taking a very special work shift, on Sunday.
Gabriel ends up investigating a case for redemption, and the investigation leads to unexpected places and exposes all kinds of scandals and instance of corruption. Lucifer is also involved.
Is this an allegory? I know Dane personally and wonder if this Heaven isn't a little bit like the United States. The U.S. seemed to be a place of great stability, peace and comfort—but recent events suggest differently.
The book is also very much a warning about angels, or those who pretend to be angelic.
The story is thrilling and unpredictable. The book offers a dark and unsettling vision, "In Heaven, nothing is as it seems," we are told.
And so Heaven, like any worthwhile place, must be fought for.
