Presence, the Play

by William E. Jefferson

Overview

Presence, the Play offers a penetrating perspective on the vital role personal presence plays in the essence of life. This timely, captivating novel speaks to a growing hunger for a way of life that's real and tangible, the opposite of an artificial existence lived in a realm of mediated connectivity. 

The protagonist of Presence, the Play is a playwright and monk named Script who lives on the Isle of Estillyen. On the opening night of Presence, Script's long-awaited play, he suffers a devastating fall in the theatre balcony and lapses into a prolonged coma. The novel plays out in Script's comatose state.  

Presence, the Play offers a meticulously crafted storyline evoking the imaginative prose of J. R. R. Tolkien, the spirited perception of C. S. Lewis, and the dramatic flair of Dante's Divine Comedy. Readers will join Script on an epic mission to save the Isle of Estillyen from the forces of darkness, experiencing many daunting adventures along the way.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781736496718
Publisher:	Port Estillyen Productions
Publication date:	05/01/2021
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	504
File size:	803 KB

About the Author

Author William Jefferson writes from a Civil War-era cottage in the rural Ozarks and is the owner of Storybook Barn, an all-occasion event venue. He holds an MTh in Theology and Media from the University of Edinburgh, and an MA in Communication from the Wheaton Graduate School.

Table of Contents

CONTENTS

One: Presence, the Play... 1

Two: The Infirmary... 11

Three: Darkened Tunnel... 23

Four: Mission Disclosed... 33

Five: Along the Scripted Way... 47

Six: The Abyss and Presence Passé... 63

Seven: No Way Back... 79

Eight: Dawn to Dark... 95

Nine: Bewilderment... 111

Ten: Morning Dew... 125

Eleven: Keys to Death and Hades... 141

Twelve: Seven Valleys of Sin... 153

Thirteen: Reservoirs of Bewilderment Fourteen Meadow Roundtable... 193

Fifteen: Operation Spite... 209

Sixteen: Mysterious Encounters... 225

Seventeen: Estillyen Easter... 237

Notes... 255

Editorial Reviews

"In the town of Port Estillyen, at the end of Lent, the playwright Script is settling into his seat to watch the opening performance of his latest play, Presence, when he hits his head and falls into a coma. In his coma, he enters an in-between land, meeting historical and fantastical figures, such as Melchizedek, Sage, Simon, and a tweeting mockingbird called Mock. Over bonfires, meals, and walks through pastoral meadows, these men convince Script to go through a series of portals and enter Hell to circumvent the devil's pernicious plans to co-opt his play for evil ends." ~Mari Carlson, The US Review of Books

"Presence, the Play is a thought-provoking story that is well-written, has great characters, and a great message. If you enjoy uniquely expressive novels then this imaginative story is for you.The book is a great reminder of the power and importance of words and stories." ~ Literary Titan

"The story woven by author William Jefferson is a grand one. At times, it feels almost like C.S. Lewis has joined forces with him, taking us into a new Narnia and opening up some of the most amazing and memorable scenes you've read in a long time." ~ Feathered Quill Book Review

From the Publisher