Humanville - Softcover

French, Cynthia

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0970525303 ISBN 13: 9780970525307

Publisher: Harry Max Publishing Company, 2000

Synopsis

Humanville is a spiritually based novel about a young woman in the music industry who tries to become a famous singer. She lives in Humanville, considered the most powerful and impressive city in the world. Everyone who lives in this city believe that image, power, and money are the only things that make success. These citizens will stop at nothing to achieve these goals, but don't realize that they are all living in fear (which is the driving force behind Humanville.) They bury this fear with self-abusive behaviors. Desmond Durango (the lead character) buries her fear with eating disorders. She suffers from both anorexia and bulimia.

She tries to succeed in her goals, but continually falls short of them and almost dies because of her disease. One day she overhears a conversation about a place called "Godtown." She is intrigued by the thought that there might be a town somewhere that is full of gracious giving and loving interaction between people. She decides to try to find it. On her quest, she discovers the secret to true happiness and joy, and ultimately heals from her diseases by embracing this newfound knowledge.

About this title

About the Author

Cynthia French works in the music industry. She is a singer, songwriter, and music publisher. She's had the opportunity to work with some of the biggest names in the industry, and has provided background vocals on a number of records, including Reba McIntyre's "If You See Him" album, which produced the number one song "Forever Love." She has toured in Europe, Japan, and Australia, and has been featured on the Grand Ole Opry. She has also sung with many alternative rock and pop artists.

Beseiged with anorexia and bulimia for most of her teenage years and adult life, Cynthia miraculously overcame these diseases. She wanted to write a story that documented her healing experience, but that was not the typical self-help book. She desired to create a fable, an easily accepted tale of hope and faith. Humanville is the result of this desire.

In addition to singing and songwriting, Cynthia founded an independant music publishing company in Nashville that has flourished for the last five years. She currently divides her time between Nashville and Los Angeles, Ca. and has recently begun touring the country speaking publicly about her experiences with eating disorders, how she overcame them, and what led her to create Humanville.

From the Inside Flap

Desmond Durango is a professional singer who lives in Humanville, considered the most powerful and impressive city in the world. Everyone who lives there, however, struggles with hidden fears, but buries them with destructive behaviors. Desmond suffers from anorexia and bulimia. She tries to succeed in her career and personal life, but continually falls short of her goals and almost dies because of her disease. One day she overhears a conversation about a mysterious place called "Godtown". On her quest to find Godtown, she uncovers the treasure that leads her to a spiritual, emotional, and physical healing.

Humanville's purpose is to be of service to people from all walks of life. This novel helps us realize that we have the power to choose how we interpret every aspect of life based on how we perceive each moment; through love or fear. Most importantly, Humanville shares a story of finding hope, healing, and happiness through learning how to listen to our inner voice of love.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Hello, My Friend,

I'm so sorry it's taken awhile to sit down and write to you. I planned on explaining as soon as I figured everything out, but time flies, and I got caught up with...well, more than I ever thought could be possible, really. I want to make it up to you, so if you don't mind, let me start from the beginning and fill in the details so you won't think I've been a total space cadet. There's so much to tell you!

It all started when I got home from a rather intense evening. I'd been out with my friends on a typical "girls night." These usually started with all of us meeting at one of our favorite restaurants for drinks and dinner. Then we'd change venues and pursue dancing, drinking, flirting, and whatever else came our way. Most of us were single (although two were married, but not happily.) We'd commiserate over how lonely, frustrated, or angry we were over something. Misery was what we all had in common. Fortunately, we'd eat and drink our problems away and have what we considered a good time. The quick fix.

This particular night had been a kicker because one of us (no not me!)had been angry at her boyfriend of two years. They'd argued over the "when are we going to get married" issue because he was dragging his feet. She got totally smashed (and god knows what else-some bathroom action, if you know what I mean), and proceeded to get so wild that she did a strip tease on the dance floor. She then crawled on top of the piano, belted out a painfully bad song that was obviously being created as she went along, then made out with every man she could get her hands on and any woman who was too drunk to notice. The night ended with my friend getting into a cat fight with a waitress and giving her a black eye. The police were called, she flipped them off and was immediately hauled away to the police station. We had to follow her downtown (being careful not to draw attention to our own intoxicated condition), call her boyfriend (who was furious), and then sit there for two hours befo! re he showed up. During this time we watched a stream of people parade through the police station...prostitutes, victims of robberies, petty crime violators, and a homeless guy arrested for loitering. There was one major commotion involving a drug bust that brought in five pushers and a slew of officers surrounding them. Finally, Mr. Boyfriend showed up and we called it an evening.

I got home about 3:30 a.m. and couldn't sleep, so I turned on the television. The all night news station was reporting a story about a man who had murdered his wife to collect insurance money. Supposedly, he was having an affair and wanted to start a new life with his sweetie and needed a little nest egg, and no wife to worry about. The next story was about a teenage girl who had abandoned her two-day old infant in a trash bin. The baby had died and she was being charged with murder. Then came the report about the guy who was scamming elderly couples by selling them non-existent time-shares. He had spent all the money, leaving most of the couples penniless and facing financial ruin. The news went on and on with similar stories for the next thirty minutes.

As I started to drift of to sleep, something dawned on me that caused my mind to pause for a second. I'd just watched one of my best friends go out of her mind and get arrested, spent hours in a police station observing that crazy scene, and had listened to a newsperson report on terrible crimes. None of it had fazed me. I hadn't even given it a second thought, for the most part. It was all just a part of daily life, a typical day in the city. I shook my head, rolled over, and closed my eyes. This was where I lived, and people here were accustomed to looking the other way. Why should I be different? For some reason, though, sleep escaped me. I couldn't stop thinking about the "cat fight", the plice station, and the news reports. I was bothered. What was causing me to think about all of these things now? Something deep inside, subconscious, was making me feel unsettled, but I couldn't define it. Finally, I got up and took a sleeping pill and that took care of everyt! hing, at least temporarily. The quick fix...

You see, I lived in Humanville--considered the most incredible city in the world. I was one of its most impressive citizens. The quick fix is what it was all about here. I, like most of the people I knew, didn't want to waste time and energy on anything that didn't directly pertain to my own life. Oh, yeah, I'd follow my drunken friend down to the police station, but only because of obligation, not because I wanted to. She got herself into that mess. I was just, well, playing a role...yeah, that's right. It's what we do in Humanville.

If this sounds familiar to you, there's a reason for that. Not that you were there, of course, but in some ways, I'm sure you can relate to the scenario. I mean, who hasn't been in a scene like that at least once? You know, a little bizarre, but at the same time, it doesn't even compute as real because you're so programmed not to pay attention? Well, little did I know that this particualar night was going to lead to something I'd never been through before. I was really good at being programmed to not feel, so the events I'm about to share with you completely knocked me for a loop!

Edition details

• Publisher: Harry Max Publishing Company
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0970525303
• ISBN 13: 9780970525307
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 265