I signed today, July 17, 2017, an option agreement for Acts of Faith with Mad Rabbit Productions, an indie production company based in Toronto and Los Angeles. The goal is to develop a 4 – to – 8 part episodic TV series adapted from my 2005 novel. Mad Rabbit is a joint venture between the Canadian director, screenwriter, and showrunner Kari Skogland, and the Red Arrow Entertainment Group, whose roster includes 16 production companies in seven countries. Skogland’s record is impressive — more than 30 movie/TV credits. She has directed episodes of, among others, House of Cards, Boardwalk Empire, Fifty Dead Men Walking, and The Handmaid’s Tale (Margaret Atwood’s novel of a near-future dystopia).
Acts of Faith, an epic tale set during the Sudanese Civil War, has been optioned several times since its publication, either for a feature film or a TV series. I am keeping all fingers and toes crossed that this one will actually make it to the screen. When it debuted, the novel got a rave review from the New York Times Michiko Kakutani, a literary critic who does not hand out praise easily. In its print and e-book formats, it has sold more than 102,000 copies over its lifetime — more than respectable in today’s book market — and is still in print. That said, a successful TV series would be a second act for the novel, broadening its audience. At least that’s my hope.
Two other novels of mine are also under film options, with different production companies: Horn of Africa and Crossers. I’ve been told that the writing of a pilot for Crossers, which is with American Entertainment Investors, should be completed in a couple of months. If that actually happens, and if a cable network or streaming service decides to produce it, the novel would be adapted for an episodic series on TV. If I had more than ten fingers and ten toes, I’d cross them, too. I ain’t getting any younger — turned 76 last month.
As a RC priest have several times used – and have done so respectfully – passages from A Rumor of War. At one point you relate your physical revulsion at the mutilation of human bodies modern weaponry causes. leading to your not being able to believe that these bloody masses would be capable of resurrection on the Last Day. I have never been in the military, no less in battle, so I have no way of knowing how I would personally react if put into the situations you experienced in Vietnam. Still I wonder if the conclusions you reached in Vietnam still remain for you. If this be prying on my part, know it comes from a person who often relates to a man who frankly told Jesus, “I do believe, help my unbelief.” (Mk. 9:24). Thank you.
I have to answer you candidly, but also respectfully, on this question. My views on the immortality of the soul and the resurrection of the body are much the same as they were decades ago after Vietnam. It is a leap of faith my spiritual limbs cannot make, although, curiously, I do believe that there is a God who brought the universe into existence and who sustains it. One can reach that conclusion through reason — the cause and effect argument, for example — and through a close observation of nature and its laws. In so many words, there is at least some evidence for the existence of a Creator, but the idea that our physical selves will be restored at some point in the future is a matter of pure faith. Like the father of the afflicted child in the passage from Mark, my faith is imperfect, largely because of the rationality that leads me to conclude that the world was created, and continues to exist, through the agency of a supernatural intelligence whom we call God.
PS: For a more detailed explanation of why I believe what I believe, please see my post on this website titled “Cancer and the Cosmos,” dated 05/2015
Hi: I was married to Tom Linhart. The Linharts were neighbors that lived next door to your Mom And Dad. They were great people and best friends with the Linharts. Both of Tom’s parents passed away several years ago. Tom is 73 now. His sister Marybeth and his brother Jack are still around. I believe I met you once when you were recuperating from your injury when you were shot and you were living at your patents house.
Kari from Mad Rabbit here – we are so thrilled to be working with you on this fantastic project. I read the book years ago and it changed how I viewed Africa, it has always been a passion project for me so it’s thrilling to finally be able to tell this story. And furthermore, I look forward to meeting you!
AND HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY
Kari
These are very hopeful and encouraging developments. Of course, my fingers are also crossed for you. And happy birthday, old son. You look good.
I remember you well from Westchester and Divine Infant School. I read your first book on Viet Nam. Would love to read ACTS OF FAITH. Congratulations
Pat
Delighted to hear from you, Pat. A lot of water over the dam since 8th grade.
Philip,
You youngster. Just turned 79.
Great news and I hope it finally happens. Acts is truly epic and would make great watching and I have been hope hope hoping for Horn to be filmed since I first read it. It’s one of the most visual narratives I’ve ever read and would be a fully viewable glimpse of insanity.
Thank you.
best of luck to you. Hope it all works out for you, and wonderful things happen.
Thank you.