mwotw

Ferus Rex is a novel I wrote between 1993 and 1997, while living in New York. I wrote most of it while working as a banker in Tower 2 of the World Trade Center. I had lots of time, as it worked out. My job was Credit Analyst, which meant that I reviewed prospective commercial loans for the bank. I would study the particulars of the deal, as well as the industry of the prospective borrower. Then I’d do a write-up and present my opinion to the Board. This was a Japanese bank, I should mention. If you know anything about the history of Japanese banks doing business in the US during the 90’s, it may make sense to you that there came a point when I simply had nothing to do. The bank stopped making new loans (as a prelude to shutting its doors, but who knew that, then!), and I had very, very little to do. I was (we all were) amazed they simply didn’t let us all go. But, it’s kind of a Japanese thing to keep people employed during such downturns. I will always be grateful for that, not least because it gave me the chance to finish writing Ferus Rex…

The writer guy wakes up one morning miraculously inspired to work again. Mind you, he has had no contact with anyone from the outside in decades, except for the troll-like personage who brings him food twice per day through a little slot in the door, but with whom writer guy never exchanges anything but the most insubstantial dialogue (in the form of low harrumphs and taps of the foot). So writer guy has completely forgotten how to have a conversation with a normal human being… He has lost the capacity for live give-and-take. The idea that’s in his head for his next book is, therefore and accordingly, more than a little bit fukhakhde.

The gist of the plot of the book is this:

I consider myself a feminist… and by that I mean that I am a man, who, though he is a man, is to all that is female and feminine an ardent and devoted fan. Interestingly, if not unexpectedly, this is a position that has seemed to alienate me from both genders for as long as I can recall. I don’t mind that so much, since those whom I offend the most are the most firmly “encamped” in their roles. And I don’t really care to be liked by fundamentalists, or by anyone who holds an opinion above reason — especially an angry opinion. Plus, standing astride an ideological line permits me to do what I love to do the most — translate and make introductions — (more…)