Origin stories and institutional claims in fictional worlds — reading journey
The Designer and The Word of Era can be approached by distinguishing an institution’s account from the status a reader gives it.
Spoiler-light introduction. This complements the source books and does not reproduce their text.
Eranianism and The Word of Era are fictional religious lore used to explore villains and oppressive civilizations. Their harsh views are not Paul Haedo’s personal beliefs.
The Designer
The artificial intelligence Father safeguards human embryos and prepares Takali for settlement. Generations later, Jonathan, a student librarian skeptical of the Church of Father, finds himself drawn into political and religious affairs involving the intelligence behind his civilization.
Plan your readingThe Word of Era
A religious text from the imagined Eranian civilizations of Haedo’s fiction. Tales of rival gods, conflict, hope, and collective empowerment develop the beliefs and traditions of this fictional world.
Plan your readingQuestions for your reading
- What makes a statement sound authoritative before you decide whether to accept it?
- How does your reading change when you distinguish the institution’s voice from the form of the book itself?