And I had worked out you were married - it was the commonality of themes for your essays and the clincher was when Peco posted a photo from Switzerland on Notes during the time you said you were in Adelboden!
A husband and wife writer-duo - a formidable combination!
Thanks Hadden - You are quite the sleuth:) I thought that you might have connected the dots given the Adelboden/Switzerland Notes we both sent. It was a pleasure to reveal our connection and the release of Exogenesis seemed the perfect occasion.
Ruth, I look forward to reading this novel! Father Elijah haunted me, and I’ve read several other of O’Brians books. Thank you for sharing the novel and for the recommendations to other substacks who are also pursuing holiness.
I'm already signed up to Peco too, with Exogenesis on my list to read. Retaining my 'identity' as a situated biological being - rather than a system of abstract ideas & propositions - is how I see my personal resistance to the Machine world. I'd better read it in paperback form, since our exchanges, hadn't I :-)
Great to hear:) It is striking that retraining our identities as "situated biological beings" is now a form of resistance. It reminds me of the Chesterton quote: “We shall soon be in a world in which a man may be howled down for saying that two and two make four, in which furious party cries will be raised against anybody who says that cows have horns, in which people will persecute the heresy of calling a triangle a three-sided figure, and hang a man for maddening mob with the news that grass is green.”
Since discovering the Abbey of Misrule last year and reading the comments under Paul's articles and some of his recommended Substacks, my reading list seems to grow every day! I'll add this one too :)
Ruth! I love knowing this connection! I subscribe to both Substacks and didn't realize you were a married. I thought I was a paid subscriber to yours-- but it turns out I wasn't yet! Just became so today. I also ordered your husband's book. I read a Michael O'Brien book, Strangers and Sojourners, years ago, and it has stuck with me. I ordered Father Elijah today as well.
This post brought me very close to tears. I thank you sincerely for the work you are doing. My husband and I are on a similar journey, trying to intellectually navigate life in this modern age and determine how to raise kids well in a world so immersed in technologies that so clearly damage our souls and minds when we engage with them in the way that is readily accepted as normal. I recently started writing about it because I have found the writing of others so helpful in guiding and clarifying my thoughts, you among them. So thank you. God bless your work, and I can't wait to read the book!
Kristin, thank you so much for your kind words and generous support! Happy to have provided a pleasant surprise with our connection:) I will certainly take a look at your writing as well and am glad that you are finding encouragement in ours. Hope you enjoy the book!
So much good news! The book, the fact that you two are married, an introduction to Father Elijah... I'm happy to hear it all, and looking forward to reading both. One question: how IN THE WORLD could Peco write an entire novel secretly?? I guess I'm such an over-sharer I can't imagine it...😂
So happy to be the bearer of good news:) Good question - my husband has been writing (almost) every day over the two decades we have been together and he only shares his work once he is ready or would like some input. Yet I was completely bowled over when he presented me with the completed manuscript. Were it me, I would likely have told him before I even started writing....:)
We harmonize in our themes and thus shared quite a large portion of our readers in common, coincidentally. Hope you continue to find encouragement and inspiration in our writings:)
This is wonderful news! I’m delighted to know you and Peco are a team, in the deepest way ❤️ and that there is a dystopian-hopeful novel I can put at the top of my TBR list. It makes me want to read Father Elijah again as well.
I was puzzled this morning to see the book title in two of my Substack notifications back to back -- it was a mystery with a quick and lovely revelation. God bless you both! 🙏
I have to admit to was a true pleasure to publish this post and know that it would provide a happy surprise to some readers:) Hope that you will enjoy the book and that it will provide encouragement and inspiration.
(I might give Father Elijah a third read as well...)
I see your in Canada! Hopeful there are more of your persuasion in the area. Things are getting more dystopian there - peace and health. Love your writing and PITM
Yes, there are. I am the homeschool advisor for the Richard Syrett Show, another Canadian (and former homeschooler) and you will find many like minded people appearing on his daily radio show. Glad that you are enjoying our writing and hope that it encourages and inspires:)
I was so surprised and delighted by your confession I jumped up and told my husband right away (who had no idea who I was talking about; I read a lot of Substacks). And I've ordered the new book (and found a used copy of Father Elijah). Thank you for what you're doing here. It matters.
Love that we were able to surprise some readers:) The release of the book seemed like the perfect moment to mention our connection. Thank you for reading and I hope you will find encouragement and inspiration for your family!
True art reflects reality, and not roses. Many heart-felt congratulations to you and Peco, Ruth! FYI I hate to be a pain...but I tried ordering the paperback, but I live in Canada and the shipping is close to $45. I don't want to order the digital copy if I don't have to. Is there any way around this?
Thanks Roman:) Thanks also for reminding me about the shipping to Canada issue - something I have frequently encountered when wanting to order books directly from U.S. publishers. My suggestion is to order, alas, from amazon.ca or another retailer which saves you the shipping cost. (In Canada the paperback copy retails for $25).
Congratulations Ruth and Peco!
And I had worked out you were married - it was the commonality of themes for your essays and the clincher was when Peco posted a photo from Switzerland on Notes during the time you said you were in Adelboden!
A husband and wife writer-duo - a formidable combination!
Thanks Hadden - You are quite the sleuth:) I thought that you might have connected the dots given the Adelboden/Switzerland Notes we both sent. It was a pleasure to reveal our connection and the release of Exogenesis seemed the perfect occasion.
Ruth, I look forward to reading this novel! Father Elijah haunted me, and I’ve read several other of O’Brians books. Thank you for sharing the novel and for the recommendations to other substacks who are also pursuing holiness.
I'm already signed up to Peco too, with Exogenesis on my list to read. Retaining my 'identity' as a situated biological being - rather than a system of abstract ideas & propositions - is how I see my personal resistance to the Machine world. I'd better read it in paperback form, since our exchanges, hadn't I :-)
Great to hear:) It is striking that retraining our identities as "situated biological beings" is now a form of resistance. It reminds me of the Chesterton quote: “We shall soon be in a world in which a man may be howled down for saying that two and two make four, in which furious party cries will be raised against anybody who says that cows have horns, in which people will persecute the heresy of calling a triangle a three-sided figure, and hang a man for maddening mob with the news that grass is green.”
Will order the book.
Great - I hope you'll enjoy it!
Since discovering the Abbey of Misrule last year and reading the comments under Paul's articles and some of his recommended Substacks, my reading list seems to grow every day! I'll add this one too :)
Ruth! I love knowing this connection! I subscribe to both Substacks and didn't realize you were a married. I thought I was a paid subscriber to yours-- but it turns out I wasn't yet! Just became so today. I also ordered your husband's book. I read a Michael O'Brien book, Strangers and Sojourners, years ago, and it has stuck with me. I ordered Father Elijah today as well.
This post brought me very close to tears. I thank you sincerely for the work you are doing. My husband and I are on a similar journey, trying to intellectually navigate life in this modern age and determine how to raise kids well in a world so immersed in technologies that so clearly damage our souls and minds when we engage with them in the way that is readily accepted as normal. I recently started writing about it because I have found the writing of others so helpful in guiding and clarifying my thoughts, you among them. So thank you. God bless your work, and I can't wait to read the book!
Kristin, thank you so much for your kind words and generous support! Happy to have provided a pleasant surprise with our connection:) I will certainly take a look at your writing as well and am glad that you are finding encouragement in ours. Hope you enjoy the book!
So much good news! The book, the fact that you two are married, an introduction to Father Elijah... I'm happy to hear it all, and looking forward to reading both. One question: how IN THE WORLD could Peco write an entire novel secretly?? I guess I'm such an over-sharer I can't imagine it...😂
So happy to be the bearer of good news:) Good question - my husband has been writing (almost) every day over the two decades we have been together and he only shares his work once he is ready or would like some input. Yet I was completely bowled over when he presented me with the completed manuscript. Were it me, I would likely have told him before I even started writing....:)
Me, too! Thanks for that sweet backstory, Ruth, and I hope the book is a runaway bestseller!!
How awesomely strange I should have found you both at different times and in different ways and sub'd without even knowing.
We harmonize in our themes and thus shared quite a large portion of our readers in common, coincidentally. Hope you continue to find encouragement and inspiration in our writings:)
Congratulations!! That is an amazing story!
Thanks Adrian! Yes, it is truly amazing and fills me with awe whenever I consider all the wonderfully woven events.
This is wonderful news! I’m delighted to know you and Peco are a team, in the deepest way ❤️ and that there is a dystopian-hopeful novel I can put at the top of my TBR list. It makes me want to read Father Elijah again as well.
I was puzzled this morning to see the book title in two of my Substack notifications back to back -- it was a mystery with a quick and lovely revelation. God bless you both! 🙏
I have to admit to was a true pleasure to publish this post and know that it would provide a happy surprise to some readers:) Hope that you will enjoy the book and that it will provide encouragement and inspiration.
(I might give Father Elijah a third read as well...)
I've ordered. I hope it arrives on an evening when it doesn't matter if I'm up all night - his books keep me in suspense to the end!
That sounds like an excellent plan! And I especially love the ending of this book:)
I see your in Canada! Hopeful there are more of your persuasion in the area. Things are getting more dystopian there - peace and health. Love your writing and PITM
Yes, there are. I am the homeschool advisor for the Richard Syrett Show, another Canadian (and former homeschooler) and you will find many like minded people appearing on his daily radio show. Glad that you are enjoying our writing and hope that it encourages and inspires:)
I was so surprised and delighted by your confession I jumped up and told my husband right away (who had no idea who I was talking about; I read a lot of Substacks). And I've ordered the new book (and found a used copy of Father Elijah). Thank you for what you're doing here. It matters.
Love that we were able to surprise some readers:) The release of the book seemed like the perfect moment to mention our connection. Thank you for reading and I hope you will find encouragement and inspiration for your family!
True art reflects reality, and not roses. Many heart-felt congratulations to you and Peco, Ruth! FYI I hate to be a pain...but I tried ordering the paperback, but I live in Canada and the shipping is close to $45. I don't want to order the digital copy if I don't have to. Is there any way around this?
Thanks Roman:) Thanks also for reminding me about the shipping to Canada issue - something I have frequently encountered when wanting to order books directly from U.S. publishers. My suggestion is to order, alas, from amazon.ca or another retailer which saves you the shipping cost. (In Canada the paperback copy retails for $25).
Thank you so much Ruth.
Ordered and can't wait!
Great to hear - hope you enjoy it!
Congratulations to you both, and I look forward to reading the book!
Thanks so much Linda:)