Faust

by Derek Hunter

Few other historical, philosophical, mythical, literary figures have had a stronger impact on Western Culture and Thought than the character of Faust. There was a historical person named Faust (or similar) but who that person really was and what were his intentions is shrouded in mystery and hearsay. In the countless tales told about Faust, from Marlowe's late 16th century Dr. Faustus to Goethe's early 19th century Faust to Wilde's late 19th century Picture of Dorian Grey to Mann's 20th century Doctor Faustus to many others, the essential character of Faust has, for the most part, remained the a man full of pride damned by the Heavens, by God Himself, for failing to submit to God's Will. In this version that take on Faust is flipped on its head, topsy turvy, upside down ...

Hunter's Faust was first found within The Story of Us All Trilogy in Black (2018), White (2021), and Red (2022). It was told episodically with two other tales, Parzival and The Divine Chaos, both of which can also be found as separate novels as well. Like the two other stories, it was written in what the author terms, Chaos Riddle Prose, wherein not only the philosophical vision is subverted, but language itself. The story is prime though and is not sacrificed for experimental prose, but rather the Chaos Riddle Prose serves the story.

In this take on Faust, it begins with God (an entity named Choronzon, the Lord of Lies) in an empty Heaven with his Angels Three, finding out from Mephistopheles that Faust has discovered the alchemist's Philosopher's Stone, secretly the mysterious drug of the ancients, Soma. Mephistopheles is sent by The Lord to thwart Faust's plans with Soma, which is to not only liberate himself from the chains of Choronzon, but all of humanity. In addition to this, Mephistopheles is ordered to crush Faust's spirit, his integrity, so that he may finally serve the Lord of Lies.

Follow Faust and Mephistopheles as they make a bet - will Faust submit to or liberate from Choronzon - and go on one adventure after another, from a passionate romance Faust has with a young woman named Margeret, a meeting with Lucifer, rituals with witches, dynamics of friendship, bizarre creatures, religious persecution, the Powers that Be, and more. By the end, Faust's story converges with the lead characters from the two other tales, Nothing Man, Firebird, and Red, and with a confrontation with supreme evil and The Eye.

This book is dedicated to Eric Fiazi, the extraordinarily brilliant painter whose art adorns not only the cover to this book but to all of Derek Hunter's work (including the interiors of Black, White, and Red). Eric unfortunately left us October 16th, 2022, but left us an enormous and beautiful body of work. In addition to his Art, the experiences of a Life Lived Passionately and Authentically. His memory will live on, through his art and in the love we his loved ones had for him. Rest in Peace, Eric Fiazi, a True Faustian indeed.

The painting on the cover by Eric is Jealous Eye (appropriate for the character of Choronzon, as one will find out from the story ...)

316 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 11, 2022

About the author

Go to the author's website to find out more: www.love-chaos.com