Write Space Literary news, views and reviews http://taurangawriters.org.nz

This week's Write Space is a synopsis of the novel ‘The Chosen One'. It is written by its author, one CJ Rift.

‘The Chosen One' is a fantasy-adventure/ comedy/ thriller. It's a tale of good versus evil, about conquering one's personal demons, and follows the struggle between Diego, a self-absorbed young man with a nervous bladder, and a malign being who calls himself The Padre.

Unaware that The Padre has manipulated his life, Diego spends much of his time dwelling on how the world has treated him unfairly. What he also doesn't know is that The Padre plans to make him his apprentice.

This week's Write Space is written by the author of the novel ‘The Chosen One'. He uses the nom de plume CJ Rift.

Diego has been pressured to return home, but is anxious about doing so. On his last day in the valley where he grew up, he was forced to flee when blamed for his best friend's death in a climbing accident.

His ordeals were just beginning. An old farmer tried to rape him. A married couple gave him work but began prying into his affairs. An antiques dealer's death brought the police sniffing around, and a madam in a brothel provided an opportunity for him to have everything he had ever wanted – except peace of mind.

Returning home, Diego enters The Padre's domain, and as he blunders on, he senses he is being watched; his progress monitored. He encounters mysterious characters who he slowly realises are personifications of the Seven Deadly Sins, created to seduce and test him.

Awakening in the arms of Lust, he succumbs to the throes of passion, and is distraught when she disappears. Bewildered, he is confronted by Anger, then Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Envy and Pride. He has no idea what is happening, and disputes their reality as he drifts from one to another. His focus is to try to escape.

Finally, he meets his tormentor, who, promising much, reveals his plans for him, the role for which he has been groomed. As he listens, Diego begins to discover how much his life has been damaged by The Padre's intrusions. Despite the temptations offered, this is a Faustian contract he would never contemplate signing.

Assuming Diego would relish the opportunities offered, The Padre's frustration mounts as he is rebuffed. Diego understands that retribution will be harsh, but resist he does.

As the script reaches its climax, his outlook is bleak. Facing the all-powerful Padre, Diego is trapped and exhausted, his bladder unreliable. Neither escape nor redemption seem possible.

And yet…?