Lawrence Wheeler

The Kingdom of Kanawha: An Allegory for America

Lawrence Wheeler

Synopsis:
An allegorical novel in the spirit of George Orwell's "1984," this intricately plotted tale is filled with political satire, stinging observations & fascinating characters. The setting is West Virginia, the time is the late 1990s. America is a dazed, limping giant ripe with moral, political & economic decay & vulnerable to foreign exploitation. West Virginians, who still exemplify the characteristics of self-reliance, simplicity, neighborliness, lack of greed, dedication to church & family & love of God & nature that originally made the United States great, have had enough. They secede from the United States & establish a kingdom to obtain an instant government, with fascinating results. The concept is brilliantly conceived & executed, with the "impossible" made plausible. The obvious research & scholarship shown add depth to this work. The book is rich with unique information, wit, insight, & a sense of West Virginia's unique culture & history. The characters are sharp & believable. Actions change swiftly from the hilarious, the bloody & brutal, the brash & earthy to the romantic & lyrical. But underneath it all, the warning is clear.

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Other editions: Softcover - 1996, Softcover - 1985, 1977, 1974, Softcover - 1974, 1972