Michael Marcondes
asked
H.A. Raynes:
This election was crazy and so very unprofessional on both sides and I can see the similarity to the Nation of Enemies story. There was too much back stabbing, corruption and digging for something to use to insult and degrade the other party to upscale their own campaign status. I'm interested in reading this book. What was your take on the election or the outcome, or that in comparison to your storyline?
H.A. Raynes
Hi Michael,
Thanks for reaching out. I apologize for the delay in responding…I needed to sit with your question to figure out how best to answer.
In my wildest imagination (or in this case, Nation of Enemies), I did not think it possible to have the country and this election shift our country on such a massive scale. People are hurting on both sides of the fence and I think we’re all reeling over the events of these past several months leading up to - and including - the election. Not in my wildest dreams, though apparently in my imagination, did I dream our country could split wide open. And worse than open, devastatingly apart.
In writing Nation of Enemies, (officially in the hands of HarperCollins in 2014, published in Aug. 2015), I could not have guessed that our own country’s politics just two years later would become enflamed by homegrown terrorists, alt-right views, refugee / immigrant status, people crashing Canada’s immigration site, and talk of creating a “registry” of Muslims. When creating the plot, I did imagine our world divided over civil liberties and I could absolutely see both sides - those clinging to their guns for protection and a “better” way of life off the grid of the political landscape versus those who wanted to flee the United States to gain both freedom and the right not to be judged by their DNA. When writing and presenting both sides, I hope that I achieved a fairness for those who chose either side. Of course, this is a thriller and there is at least one “villain.” Interestingly, depending on the reader, s/he may choose to believe a different character is the true villain.
I do hope you’ll read Nation of Enemies and share with me your thoughts. Thanks again for writing, Michael!
Thanks for reaching out. I apologize for the delay in responding…I needed to sit with your question to figure out how best to answer.
In my wildest imagination (or in this case, Nation of Enemies), I did not think it possible to have the country and this election shift our country on such a massive scale. People are hurting on both sides of the fence and I think we’re all reeling over the events of these past several months leading up to - and including - the election. Not in my wildest dreams, though apparently in my imagination, did I dream our country could split wide open. And worse than open, devastatingly apart.
In writing Nation of Enemies, (officially in the hands of HarperCollins in 2014, published in Aug. 2015), I could not have guessed that our own country’s politics just two years later would become enflamed by homegrown terrorists, alt-right views, refugee / immigrant status, people crashing Canada’s immigration site, and talk of creating a “registry” of Muslims. When creating the plot, I did imagine our world divided over civil liberties and I could absolutely see both sides - those clinging to their guns for protection and a “better” way of life off the grid of the political landscape versus those who wanted to flee the United States to gain both freedom and the right not to be judged by their DNA. When writing and presenting both sides, I hope that I achieved a fairness for those who chose either side. Of course, this is a thriller and there is at least one “villain.” Interestingly, depending on the reader, s/he may choose to believe a different character is the true villain.
I do hope you’ll read Nation of Enemies and share with me your thoughts. Thanks again for writing, Michael!
More Answered Questions
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more