A Novel For the Here and Now

The Taming of the Loon
Discover the Blurry Line Between Right and Wrong

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Welcome…

to the present, where long-held principles on how one should live, yield to personal interpretation and justification. This backdrop inspired the novel The Taming of the Loon. FATHER STAN helps several members of his parish confront the trappings of modern “Relativism” in practical terms, without the ideology or doctrine. This non-ecclesial approach aims to attract mainstream adult readers to the changing ethical mores of our time as well as adherents to any and all religions. As western culture loses its grip on traditional values, the diverse characters are drawn together by moral dilemmas in a setting that explores the blurry line between right and wrong.

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Moral Compass

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The authors have crafted a profound novel that is both timely and timeless … a narrative that is challenging and inspiring; a wonderful work for readers in this day and age, and the message is transcendent among various age groups, walks of life and spiritual journeys.
— Editorial Staff, Salem Publishing Solutions

Meet the Authors

Paul Franks
Paul Franks

Originally from the Chicago area, Paul earned his college degree that attracted him to Big Pharma. While building a 35-year career in Sales and Marketing, he also developed a life-long stewardship in religious education of young people through several church communities. His focus celebrated traditional moral values as a necessary foundation toward a well-balanced life. While retired, his weekly volunteer service for the needy continues at the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Paul looks forward to the restoration of long-held Christian principles which served us well for over 100 years. He enjoys reading, fishing, golf and bocce. He resides in Geneva, Illinois with his wife.

S.P. Stamatis
S.P. Stamatis

Born in Europe and raised in Chicago, Steve took his dad’s advice to learn English seriously. He developed a love for the language and later earned a Masters at DePaul University. Following a 40-year career in the printing industry, he enjoyed early retirement years teaching English at area colleges. He’s written two other novels, several screenplays and two volumes of poetry. Steve has nurtured a life-long desire for cultural and racial divisions to yield to Christian unity. Many insist we evolve from profound life-altering events. This may be true, but Steve believes it’s the unpretentious, simple occurrences, the unnoticed subtleties that shape us. He lives with his wife in Addison, Illinois.

Reader's Guide

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Check Out this Guide for A deeper Understanding!

Main Theme

The main idea or meaning explored in the story: Subjective relativism via justification and rationalization of wrong-doing

Motif

An image or idea that repeats in the story: Fishing/Search for Regeneration/Doing the Right Thing/Attention to trees/Slippery slope of Wrong-Doing/Therapy by Water

Symbolism

Symbols represent bigger ideas/story reveals more than plot line or events/story builds additional layers of meaning

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Postscript

The Taming of the Loon - Book Cover

Stan Rybak’s ministry has enjoyed wide acceptance at his new position at the cathedral. Now, in his early forties, he understands that the more we grow spiritually the more we realize that “Evil” is rooted in our imperfections and is not an external force bent on degrading and corrupting our innate goodness. Rather, the Prince of Darkness grows out of our inborn flaws when nourished by negative growth and moral drought.

Stan thinks EVIL is given too much sovereignty. A Buddhist would say evil acts are a byproduct of our own unharnessed appetites fed by spiritual deficiency. Characters in The Taming of the Loon represent developing individuals residing in various rungs of the spiritual ladder. Therefore, most corruption and violence occur because our flaws are cultivated more than our virtues and acquire dominance.

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