It Is What It Is

It Is What It Is… this indeed describes the circumstances, views and lives of the characters of this novel, but also their constant struggle with what is right and what is wrong, or moreover, what is to be found moral and immoral, what is to be found ethical and unethical. It is impossible not to be drawn into this world where the characters of the book have to make decisions that society would rather sweep under the rug or turn their back on.

It is never that simple, life is full of complications, and society cannot dictate the rules we live by. Sometimes it is required of Frank to step up, and step outside these rules that society has created and that measures into his own hands. He is not a vigilante, that would be such a disregard to what he truly is and has become. No, Frank is a whole different animal altogether, and he shares this life, unexpectedly with people that cross his path. Why they are allowed to live is beyond Frank. Maybe amidst all the carnage the simplicity of humanity can still touch even him.

The author is like most others, a dreamer. However, he likes to push the envelope and wants his readers to truly think and struggle with morality and ethics; he is convinced that regardless of society, morality and ethics can become very fluid in certain circumstance. The author is very accomplished in many fields of study, especially theology and as a naturalist who has discovered two species unknown to science. Yet, it is his imagination and philosophy that drives him, he was taught from an early age that a day in which something new is not discovered, however trivial, amounts to a day wasted and that everything should be viewed as important. Hendrick is on a constant road of discovery, and studies anything and everything, this becomes part of this library of information. His attitude is one of no information is wasted information, and one will come to a point in life where it can and should be used. Discovery is that one single aspect that he installs into the lives of his children.