On more than one occasion in your books and in your responses to questions you categorically reject the idea of gods, in particular the Abrahamic god. Yet in The Holy Tim, after being prompted by Pablo who “sees” this all the time, finally sees the glory the cactus has to offer him. Therefore I have two questions. If you do not believe that there is a God or gods in this world, then what or who is Pablo (whom you saw yourself as a young child)? Second, both in The Story of B and in The Holy, you position the Abrahamic god as an opponent of the very world he allegedly created. Why do you believe that a Satan/Ba’al zebub or an antichrist figure would be so much more in tune with your world vision? Categories: I Have a Bone to Pick with You!, I Have a Question About the Books/the Characters|Tags: Animism, Antichrist, Christian, Religion| Read More
I see that you used the word/name Bwana in the conversation in section 11.4 between the narrator and Ishmael. But what is the true significance of the name? Is it simply just as the dictionary defines it as “Used as a form of respectful address in parts of Africa.” Or does it have more meaning than that? Categories: I Have a Question About the Books/the Characters|Tags: Ishmael| Read More
I cannot find “senectuous” as in “my senectuous bribee” page 235, Ishmael, Bantam/Turner trade paperback edition, in any dictionary. Please tell me what it means, and your authority. Categories: I Have a Question About the Books/the Characters, I Have a Question On a Specific Subject|Tags: Ishmael, Writing and Publishing| Read More
Have you ever asked your publisher to release the entire Ishmael trilogy as a single volume? I hope it doesn’t violate your contract. (I saw from someone else’s question that you can’t release mass paperback editions.) Because I was having this huge fight with someone who had just read Ishmael and none of the other books and had completely misunderstood things. In arguing with this guy, I was struck by how many times I said, “Quinn CLEARLY said in My Ishmael…” or “It’s written right there, in The Story of B…” One volume of the whole trilogy would be cheap, handy, and pretty gosh darned cool. Categories: I Have a Question About the Books/the Characters, I Have a Question On a Specific Subject|Tags: Ishmael, My Ishmael, Story Of B, Writing and Publishing| Read More
What is the significance of the dentist visit in Ishmael? My thought was that it was to show that roadblocks can be physical, not just mental, but other than that I don’t understand why it’s in the book. Categories: I Have a Question About the Books/the Characters|Tags: Ishmael| Read More
I’ve just finished After Dachau and am very perplexed and taken back by it. NO ONE CARES. This seems to be its message. Have you given up the awe-inspiring ranting you published in the past? Have you lost faith? Categories: I Have a Question About Daniel Quinn, I Have a Question About the Books/the Characters|Tags: Political Correctness| Read More
I was just curious as to if any of Mr. Quinn’s books have been banned anywhere in the United States or elsewhere ever? It seems like it should be expected in today’s society. Categories: I Have a Question About the Books/the Characters, I Have a Question On a Specific Subject|Tags: Education, Religion, Writing and Publishing| Read More
Our class had a phone interview with Mr. Quinn yesterday (10/10/02) and he mentioned that “politics should be the last to change.” I disagree with him because I came from Korea and the government passed couple of laws that force people to recycle. For example, the government passed a law in the early 90s that people should use trash bags issued by the government. Of course, the majority of the people refused and had many complaints about it. However, at the end, people came to recycle more and restaurants tried not to use plastic cups and dishes because the more trash they produced, the more money they had to pay. Even though Mr. Quinn was skeptical about politics, isn’t it better to influence the politicians as well? Categories: I Have a Question About the Books/the Characters, I Need Some Clarification|Tags: Priorities, Writing and Publishing| Read More
Sign language has played a significant role in the plots of both The Story of B and After Dachau. Is there any special reason for this that you’d care to reveal? Categories: I Have a Question About the Books/the Characters|Tags: Quinn's Motivations| Read More
In reading the guest book I’ve noticed that a lot of people don’t seem to get the ending of The Man Who Grew Young. Have you had the same experience in hearing from readers? Categories: I Have a Question About the Books/the Characters|Tags: Christian, Evolution, Religion| Read More