To Hunt a Holy Man
Leaving the raw battlefields of Vietnam, "To Hunt a Holy Man" cuts across the rich cultural landscape of Buddhist Thailand. Its characters are enmeshed in war-born adventure, danger, sexual encounters, and spiritual quests. Both Hunter and Holy Man have everything to win – but someone has to lose.
The Holy Man is a US Army Catholic priest who flees Vietnam. Longing to complete his spiritual journey, he disappears into Thai Buddhist monastic life. The Hunter is a God-hating, lone-wolf antihero. His plan to claim his trophy is thwarted by an alluring Thai policewoman and a jolting religious experience. He is staggered, but is he redeemed? Or will he claim his prize and bring the priest back to Vietnam in shackles?
Much more than just a hunt, Fletcher skillfully presents the reader with an exotic and fascinating spiritual journey through Southeast Asia. He shows that 50 years on, there are still powerful lessons to be learned from that infamous war.
Bio
Michael Fletcher is an ASU alum (BA ’87) and has worked in international humanitarian relief programs for 35 years, primarily with the United Nations Peacekeeping and United Nations World Food Programme. He served in Cambodia, Rwanda, Uganda, Bosnia-Herzegovina, East Timor, Israel, and Darfur-Sudan. He’s lived and worked in Thailand and Cambodia, and throughout Southeast Asia since 1971. Fletcher served in the United States Army for seven years, including three years with Psychological Operations in support of the Cambodian government during the War in Vietnam. In addition to his BA from ASU, he holds an MBA (Syracuse University), an MAR (Yale University), and a Doctor of Letter in Creative Writing (Drew University).
Praise for this book
'To Hunt a Holy Man' is a novel that I would have thought only an author like Graham Greene or Brian Moore capable of writing. There are not many readers who will be moved by the depth of characterization and plot which is as intriguing as it is important.
Ron Felber, best selling author of "A Man of Indeterminate Value" Professor, Drew University
Fletcher offers hope that even in the midst of the cruelty and violence of war, the promise of unconditional grace is the most potent weapon of all.
David Buzan, author of "In the Lair of Legends" Author, Black Rose Writing
