The Promise of Eden

Infobox Book
name = The Promise of Eden


image_caption = Hard cover edition
author = Eric Durchholz
country = United States
language = English
series =
subject =
genre = science fantasy
publisher = Concrete Books
release_date = 1999
english_release_date =
media_type =
pages = 204
isbn = 0967029708
preceded_by =
followed_by =

The Promise of Eden is the premier novel of author Eric Durchholz. It was printed in 1999 by Concrete Books. It is a work of fiction in the science fantasy genre.

Plot

The Promise of Eden tells the story of a young boy, Gregory Coleman, who lives in the small town of New Harmony, Indiana. He is raised less by his largely indifferent parents then by a seemingly kind spirit who masquerades as his imaginary playmate named Anna.

Anna teaches Gregory about life and love, while secretly preparing him for a journey she needs him to take to a mysterious world called Ibscaca. Anna is further aided by Joseph, an enigmatic hermit with mysterious ties to the small town. At first Gregory accepts Anna at face value, but as Gregory ages and matures he begins to question Anna's true nature and motives.

The fates of both Gregory and Anna are further complicated by the malevolent intentions of Sylvie, a 200-year-old poltergeist which also inhabits the Coleman household. Sylvie is a decidedly evil entity with aspirations of becoming a goddess. While Anna and Sylvie often find it necessary to work together, their relationship is not one of friendship and trust, and their ultimate goals are not the same.

As Gregory continues to grow up, he begins to devote less time to Anna. He also begins to develop and explore his sexuality, beginning a relationship with a boy his own age named Jason. Anna, who at first encouraged Gregory to develop other friendships outside their own, begins to see that his new social life is jeopardizing her plans. When Anna's true plans for Gregory are finally revealed, the decisions he makes have a dramatic impact on both Gregory's own world, and that of Ibscaca.

Reviews and reception

It should be noted that The Promise of Eden was not sent out for professional, critical review. However, reception by those who purchased the book and later posted reviews on the websites of online book sellers was widely positive. [ [http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Promise-of-Eden/Eric-Durchholz/e/9780967029702 Promise of Eden, Eric Durchholz, Book - Barnes & Noble ] ] [ [http://www.amazon.com/review/product/0967029708?coliid=&showViewpoints=1&colid=&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: The Promise Of Eden ] ]

References