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Between the Shadow and the Flame
Epic in scope, Between the Shadow and the Flame is the allegorical retelling of the history of philosophy, as seen through the journey of its three main characters.
When a pandemic and ensuing nuclear war all but destroy civilization, and conspiracy theorists whisper of a plot to wipe out humanity, armchair philosopher Sophia Xiao is caught up in a quest to find the truth. Shadowed by a mysterious figure, she travels across the devastated land with Newman, a former theology student, and Hyle, a snarky young science writer, as they evade paramilitary death squads, encounter pockets of survivors, and match wits with the charismatic cult leader who has prophesied her role in the coming battle at the end of days.
This unique novel skillfully integrates a suspenseful mystery plot with a serious philosophical inquiry into the structure of reality and knowledge. Hunted, Sophia, Hyle and Newman search for clues about their pursuers and the cause of the war. As they travel, they tackle even larger issues. Drawing on their diverse backgrounds, they invoke the ideas of great philosophers, theologians and scientists as they debate age-old questions: Does God exist, or is the material world all there is? Can religion coexist with science? Do we have free will? Is certain knowledge possible? What is the structure of reality?
A compelling examination of philosophy’s role in the world, Between the Shadow and the Flame will challenge your beliefs and keep you turning pages until the full relevance of these questions is revealed in the provocative conclusion.
When a pandemic and ensuing nuclear war all but destroy civilization, and conspiracy theorists whisper of a plot to wipe out humanity, armchair philosopher Sophia Xiao is caught up in a quest to find the truth. Shadowed by a mysterious figure, she travels across the devastated land with Newman, a former theology student, and Hyle, a snarky young science writer, as they evade paramilitary death squads, encounter pockets of survivors, and match wits with the charismatic cult leader who has prophesied her role in the coming battle at the end of days.
This unique novel skillfully integrates a suspenseful mystery plot with a serious philosophical inquiry into the structure of reality and knowledge. Hunted, Sophia, Hyle and Newman search for clues about their pursuers and the cause of the war. As they travel, they tackle even larger issues. Drawing on their diverse backgrounds, they invoke the ideas of great philosophers, theologians and scientists as they debate age-old questions: Does God exist, or is the material world all there is? Can religion coexist with science? Do we have free will? Is certain knowledge possible? What is the structure of reality?
A compelling examination of philosophy’s role in the world, Between the Shadow and the Flame will challenge your beliefs and keep you turning pages until the full relevance of these questions is revealed in the provocative conclusion.
492 pages, Paperback
First published March 20, 2012
85 people want to read
About the author
Geoffrey Lee Hodge
1 book3 followersGeoffrey Lee Hodge studied science, philosophy and comparative religion at Colgate University before earning a Master of Science degree in biotechnology from WPI. Now vice president at a biotech company, Geoff is a frequent writer and speaker on the topic of innovation in biopharmaceutical manufacturing and is an inventor on two U.S. patents.
Geoff’s interest in the intersection between science, philosophy and spirituality was reawakened when his daughter was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of four. This became the inspiration for a book that would examine the role these three systems of belief play in shaping our view of the world.
Between the Shadow and the Flame is his first novel.
Geoff’s interest in the intersection between science, philosophy and spirituality was reawakened when his daughter was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of four. This became the inspiration for a book that would examine the role these three systems of belief play in shaping our view of the world.
Between the Shadow and the Flame is his first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 13, 2019
I enjoyed reading this book!!
September 30, 2012
The best way to describe this courageous epic of a novel is philosophical sci-fi with a touch of fantasy. It’s an ingenious blend of different genres and the end product is a thoroughly absorbing work of fiction. Amateur philosopher Sophia Xiao is caught up in the horrific consequences of an epidemic of disease and nuclear war. She takes it on herself to travel through the ruined country and find out what’s behind it all. She takes two unlikely friends with her. There’s Newman, a theologist whom she met at a party, and Hyle, a scientific journalist, who rescues her from her flattened house, even though he’s recovering from an attack by a death squad. And there’s a fourth, mysterious figure who intervenes to keep her safe. They meet the Prophet, Asha Zendik, leader of a cult, who assigns Sophia a leading role in a prophesised battle.
There is a successful meeting of opposites in Between the Shadow and the Flame. There is both adrenalin pumping action, and plenty of it, and thoughtful, serious dialogue in the novel. The three main characters probe the causes of the war, using their own particular knowledge and sets of beliefs. We learn about the ancient philosophers such as Socrates and the various types of them, Stoics for example, during the conversations but it never becomes dull. The author keeps the dialogue realistic and never becomes bogged down in the explanations. And we’re given all this knowledge for a reason - not only to challenge our own preconceptions, but so that we can appreciate the outcome of the story, even if we couldn’t predict it. This is the perfect book for readers who want to think about what they’re reading and about their own values.
There is a successful meeting of opposites in Between the Shadow and the Flame. There is both adrenalin pumping action, and plenty of it, and thoughtful, serious dialogue in the novel. The three main characters probe the causes of the war, using their own particular knowledge and sets of beliefs. We learn about the ancient philosophers such as Socrates and the various types of them, Stoics for example, during the conversations but it never becomes dull. The author keeps the dialogue realistic and never becomes bogged down in the explanations. And we’re given all this knowledge for a reason - not only to challenge our own preconceptions, but so that we can appreciate the outcome of the story, even if we couldn’t predict it. This is the perfect book for readers who want to think about what they’re reading and about their own values.
April 16, 2012
My review might be just a little biased since I wrote it, but it's the type of book I'd enjoy reading, blending a science fiction mystery plot with a serious history of philosophy, science and theology. I'll be interested to see what other readers have to say.
July 24, 2012
What I enjoyed about this book was discovering their world and situation with them. I also took several philosophy courses when I was in college so it was nice to revisit them though I didn't remember them nearly as well as the characters.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews