Like the Whistling of the Wind

This is the first of the supernovels , with three themes in one book. Primarily it is an historical novel set during the American Revolutionary War (War of Independence) from 1775-1783.

It is a story of a family split along political lines, where the father (a military Colonel who fought with Wolfe at Louisbourg and Quebec) and one son are loyal to the King, while the other son serves with the Continental Army under George Washington. This son serves with Benedict Arnold during the campaigns along Lake Champlain and the ill-fated attack on Quebec City. The youngest son finally surrenders with British General Charles Cornwallis at Yorktown.

The mother, Sulla Dramma, is the chief protagonist and heroine, who lives for the duration in New York, from where she was eventually evacuated to Canada to join her husband at the end of hostilities. She suffers many personal indignities, including imprisonment in an asylum for the insane (Luza Prison), but is resolute throughout it all to hold her family, (and her New York home) which she adores, together.

She is a courageous and especially literate woman who wants her sons to be educated as well, but the war has intervened. Her primary contact with the front and her family is through many letters throughout the novel, in which she assiduously corrects for grammar and spelling, not only of her two boys and husband, but even of the great writers and newspaper columnists of the day.

It is a story of the Loyalist/Royalist versus the Patriots/Rebels depending upon which side one is on. The language used is both sophisticated and late 18th Century. It also contains many rhyming couplets and a dozen original musical scores. The emphasis on language is intriguing, including the last two chapters especially, when ongoing arguments between the author and editor erupt as the story reaches a conclusion. It is a masterful mix of historical drama with real historical characters (Washington, Adams, Franklin . . . all make appearances on several occasions) and those of the family created by the author to tell the story. The list of characters, both major and minor, is rather extensive. The details of battles won and lost from 1775-80, including the commanders on both sides, are accurately reflected throughout this 334 page novel.

There are several endings , including a fairytale ending desired by some readers. The novel is an ideal candidate for a film or stage production. The front and back covers are paintings by artist Jacqui Mitchell.

Biography: Francis Raymond (Frank) Phillips Frank was born in1926 in Saint John, his father of Irish-Catholic lineage, a salesman, and his mother, a descendant of Loyalist-Protestant stock, her family arriving in Saint John in 1783 as one of the original Gorham settlers who founded the city.

In 1947, he graduated from Teachers College, Fredericton and taught in St. Andrew s, Escuminac, Leonardville and Minto. He was later inducted into the Minto Sports Wall of Fame.

Frank has always played piano and has composed many original works, some of which were included in his latest novel. He holds degrees from U.N.B. (B.A.), and from the University of London, England, M.A. and Ph.D. In 1961, he was in Moscow when Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space and wrote a series of articles for the Telegraph-Journal. In 1965 he joined Saint Mary s University, Halifax, as a Lecturer in the Faculty of Education rising to the rank of Full Professor. He was known by his students, many of whom teach throughout Canada and beyond, as having a wonderful sense of humour and great skill with the English language, both of which are amply represented throughout his latest work. Over the years, he wrote many articles and two books: Bishop Beck And English Education, and Creating An Educational System For England And Wales. In 1992, he was awarded the University Medal for Excellence in Teaching.

He is married to Adeline Lee, his Editor-in-Chief, and has two daughters, Catherine, Ph.D., and Frances (Daniel Wise) M.S.W. and has one granddaughter, Isabelle Wise. Although he has written extensively in the field of education throughout his lifetime, the release of Like the Whistling of the Wind is his first fictional work and trade publication. It was a decade or more years in the making: research, writing, refinement, editing and publication.