The Gargoyle

The nameless narrator of this novel, who is an atheist, ends up in the burn ward of a hospital after an almost fatal car accident caused by his intoxication. His body is almost completely covered in serious burns. Being vain his whole life, he plans everyday how he will kill himself once he leaves the hospital after his lengthy recovery because he is now a monster in appearance. During his stay, a woman named Marianne Engel begins visiting him often and bringing him copious amounts of money. She claims they were lovers in the early 14th century in Germany. She was a nun who translated books, and he was a mercenary that came to her for treatment of his burns.

The burned man, a contemporary cynic, passes off all her stories of their early life together as schizophrenia (it is common among schizophrenics to claim to speak with God). He also passes off her manic construction of stone gargoyles as bipolar. After many months of visiting, Marianne Engel insists that he come stay with her when he gets discharged for his aftercare. It's either that or a rehab clinic. The burned man becomes enamored by Marianne Engel's eccentricities and agrees to stay with her. She frequently tells him equally undying love stories from England, Japan, Iceland, and Italy and his burnt heart begins to heal with her love. The burned man visits Dante's Inferno during the withdrawals of his 20 year drug binge. Marianne Engel is the only thing that can pull him out of that hell.

Years after his recovery, he still doubts the legitimacy of Marianne Engel's claim that they were lovers in medieval Germany. He throws himself into research and can only find his questions unanswered over time.

This story of unrestricted love, fiery hell, and faith in the unknown, will have you questioning your core belief system. This debut novel of survival from Davidson is truly an Inferno of our time.