Rate this book

Parzival

Derek Hunter

Rate this book

Parzival is the tale of Firebird and his father Nothing Man which was first found within The Story of Us All Trilogy in Black (2018), White (2021), and Red (2022). Inspired by Wolfram von Eschenbach's Parzival from the 13th century but diverting from it in not only a modern and surreal setting, but also in philosophical import, this version also takes us through the Egyptian Land of the Dead, inspired by the Ancient Egyptian text by the scribe Ani, The Book of Going Forth by Day (also called the Book of the Dead).

The journey begins with Nothing Man, as he works for a secret organization called The Masters, because he is a Seer, someone who is able to make contact with the Spirit World, that which influences the Materialist World at all times but not known among the majority of human beings. The Masters tell Nothing Man that he needs to find The Eye, but do not explain what exactly it is.

Nothing Man disappears, and Firebird's mother chooses to run away and live in Mexico with her son after being frightened by numerous incidents. Years pass in Mexico, and Firebird also disappears, just like his father. We, the readers though, find out where he the Spirit World. Firebird goes on a quest through this bizarre land, having to overcome and battle many creatures, demons, entities, gods, in order to find his way back home. He is told by a powerful entity, Choronzon, that in order to find his father and go back home, he must find The Eye.

Firebird and Nothing Man go on many adventures, in other dimensions and in ours, by physical combat with actual demons and through overcoming psychological demons of the mind and heart, on separate journeys until their paths merge. Parzival is told as en epic adventure, a realist drama, a surrealist comedy, and personal narrative of the soul, a journey to discover and understand The Eye, for not only their survival but for all of humanity.

389 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 11, 2022