INTRODUCTION
This novel is a real risk. It's both the longest narrative I've
posted for Liberty, and, in many
ways, I believe, the most controversial: while I have, in the past, cautioned
my readers about the presence of objectionable material, such as erotica, in
particular stories (for example, “The Cotillion” and “Stolen Moments”), I feel
it necessary to deliver a significantly
stronger warning here.
The work contains many of the most disturbing and, even for me,
difficult-to-read scenes I've ever written—each for slightly different reasons.
I went forward anyway, since I consider all of them fundamentally important to
the story I wanted to tell. Trust me, I'm completely aware some of the prose
may have certain readers saying, “Oh, no… no!”
Hell, I’m not entirely
comfortable with some of the material, and I wrote it.
I did, briefly, consider the idea of a PG version for this work,
then firmly rejected it (and believe you me, this more than qualifies as
NC-17). Once you start trying to please everyone, your ability to please anyone is, in my opinion, diluted.
Let me make it even plainer than I have. If you're sensitive,
easily outraged and/or offended, or uninterested by a story that, in
significant part, explores certain troubling issues of violence, sexuality,
morality and emotional difficulties, then this may not be the piece for you.
Don’t say you weren’t warned.
As always, intelligent criticisms will be welcome... and, to be
honest, I can't imagine that I'll not receive at least a few. Anything, though,
that starts with, “Manno, you sick bastard!”
will be quietly put aside—unread.
You may not enjoy this
entire novel, per se, but I doubt
you'll be unmoved… and think the payoffs are worth it.
Let me know.
A final note: In my opinion, if you're a new
Then, again, perhaps you're a "feet first" kind of
person.
If so, then leap away.
Dedications and
Acknowledgments Chapter One