Sojourner by Edmonton author Marguerite Antonio is an eco-conscious story, where fiction and non-fiction meet. Marguerite explores environmentalism and science fiction with the goal of spreading awareness of ecological consciousness. Eco consciousness is about being aware of how one’s actions have a direct effect on nature, and how all living things are interconnected. Through Sojourner, she combines fictional ideas with researched facts to create a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Etroygylus is honoured, and somewhat nervous, to be the youngest captain of the four landing parties that the Intergalactic Council dispatched to planet Earth. Their mission is to surreptitiously study and report on the severity of pollution on the planet, and to assess the degree to which humans are addressing the problem. Although he has been well trained…
“I researched the problem until a logical solution, I felt, presented itself, then wove it into an enjoyable, thought-provoking read.”– Marguerite, Author
The story revolves around Troy, an alien, who travels to earth to assess the condition of the planet and see how the people of Earth are dealing with environmental problems. Troy soon finds that much of the planet is in dire need of help. He bonds with dolphins in particular, who are in danger as their ocean habitats are unsafe from pollution.
In this fictional world, dolphins speak intelligibly and are conscious of the impact of pollution on their home and on Earth. Marguerite says that though Troy finds serious problems on Earth, he still finds hope in the community and people through their kindness he experiences.
In an interview with PageMaster, Marguerite explains how the very nature of Troy’s character is an embodiment of both fiction and non-fiction, and serves as a bridge between them. As an alien, he is an outside observer, foreign to Earth, and none on the planet know aliens like him exist. Yet, Troy doesn’t just exist, he interacts and communicates with most of earth’s creatures, including humans and animals. His alien ability to speak with the dolphins and therefore empathize with them makes him human-like and relatable. He serves as the bridge between space and Earth, and searches for a way to solve the problem of its inhabitants and their surroundings. As that bridge in the story, he also bridges fiction and non-fiction – story and reality. Troy’s story brings the unique perspective of science fiction into a world suffering just like ours.
The author was originally inspired as a child when at the Vancouver aquarium where she met Skeena, the “huge but gentle” orca whale. Marguerite’s background and experience as a medical technologist and researcher also highly influenced her desire to interweave environmental consciousness with science fiction. This was no easy feat. She says,
“My biggest challenge with this book was to make it an enjoyable, informative, and plausible work of fiction that would entertain as well as open the readers’ mind to the harm we humans are doing to our home planet, Earth, and our fellow life-forms.” – Marguerite, Author
Despite all of this, it is important to remember that the book is pure fiction. Marguerite’s goal is to spread awareness of a real-world problem through an enjoyable sci-fi read, taking readers to an exciting fictional world whilst also keeping them grounded in reality and conscious of its challenges.
Preserving nature and fighting pollution is an ongoing battle, one the author is passionate about. “Some answers have been forthcoming,” says Marguerite, “but there is much work still to be done.”
About the author
Marguerite Antonio has spent much of her life helping others as a spiritual healer and Reiki Master. She has an instinctive affinity to the aquatic, particularly the dolphin. Her deep connection to Mother Earth is evident both in Ancion, and her latest novel, Sojourner. Marguerite has written and published other books as well – a textbook on Reiki, a compilation of short stories, and a historical novel. After years of living near her beloved ocean, she chose to reside in Edmonton, Alberta to be near friends and family. Her passion for the planet continues to inspire her writing.
Sojourner is her fifth book and available as a paperback and ebook. For more information about her and her other books, visit mhantonio.ca or her author page on PageMasterPublishing.ca .
Pick up Sojourner on the PageMaster store, or order your copy where ever books are sold.