Memorable Characters

The Mummery Book
— part 3

Along the way, Raymond meets some memorable characters.

There's Moode Thom, an old fisherman — or seeker — who tells a bitter story of false promises before coming, almost literally, to the end of his line. And the widow Bue Ma, whose wild sexual energy momentarily enthralls Raymond.

And Quandra, Raymond's true love. Although Quandra and Raymond have only a brief encounter the first time they meet, their love story embodies the heartbreak of mortal existence.

Raymond's love for Quandra and his passionate attempts to find her again — and, in that process, to transcend the limits of merely human love — are central to the meaning of everything that follows.

Finally, there is the infamous Evelyn Disk (pronounced EE-vil-in), the hugely fat, often comic, self-serving preacher and spiritual teacher who tries to manipulate Raymond for his own purposes by appearing to worship him and help him be re-united with Quandra forever.

The consummate smooth talker, Evelyn is capable of blending high dharma with vaudevillian buffoonery, while oozing sincerity from every pore. Supported by a chorus of faithful acolytes, his interplay with Raymond drives the action to its extraordinary climax.

Next: A Novel and Compelling Use of Language