Nemesis - The Beginning
The Nemesis is on the surface a modern day action adventure
novel, in the vein of a hard edged and ‘darker’ Clive Cussler.
However, it is also strongly about relationships and different views
of the world and the institutions that govern us.
We could easily announce that “America has a new superhero and
he is Hispanic!” but this is not the real message of the book. The
real message of the book is that we should think seriously about
what we instinctively admire.
William ‘Bill’ O’Brien is the hero and saviour we all long
for in desperate times. He is handsome, intelligent, funny,
considerate and loyal to his friends and willingly fought in Vietnam
for his country. He also respects women and protects small children.
Men respect and envy him and women adore him.
But Bill O’Brien is also a thief and professional killer with
hundreds of deaths to his credit and he follows no rules other than
his own. Bill’s credo is that the end justifies the means and he
ignores all laws to achieve his objectives. Bill believes that he is
above the law. He is either your best friend or your worst
nightmare.
Despite Bill’s dark side we find ourselves liking and admiring
him nevertheless and secretly hoping that someone just like him
could be our saviour and protector in these troubled and dangerous
times. There is no one we would rather have at our side when danger
threatens, as long as he is on our side.
Liking and admiring Bill reveals a universal weakness in human
character, a dichotomous approach to life and morality. We respect
strength above all else and are willing to forgive almost any sin by
those who protect and defend us and our way of life and our loved
ones.
Bill is the dark angel; the ultimate arbiter of life and death;
almost a God. » Back
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