Eli Harpo's Adventure to the Afterlife: A Novel

Eric Schlich's Eli Harpos Adventure to the Afterlife is a novel that explores belief and forgiveness as a boy grapples with his faith and sexuality on a family road trip to Bible World. Eli isn't sure if he went to heaven when he was four, and his father's proposal to create a new attraction based on his trip brings up questions about his family's messy humanity and what happens when a family held together by mythmaking starts coming apart.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2024
Publisher: Abrams

Award-winning author Eric Schlich's Eli Harpo Adventure to the Afterlife is a captivating and heartfelt novel that delves into the themes of belief and forgiveness as a young boy navigates his faith and sexuality on a thrilling family road trip to Bible World.

When Eli Harpo was just four years old, he underwent an emergency open-heart surgery that led to a near-death experience. According to his father, a devout Baptist minister, Eli had actually visited heaven and met Jesus during that time. However, nine years later, Eli is questioning his beliefs. The routine visits his father makes to evangelize at hospices and sell his self-published book, Heaven or Bust!, feel insincere and unfamiliar, especially now that Eli is experiencing sex dreams about Jesus. Furthermore, Eli's mother's terminal breast cancer diagnosis has further distanced him from the idea of heaven.

But when the renowned televangelist Charlie Gideon arrives at the Harpos' doorstep with a proposal to create a new attraction based on Eli's trip to the afterlife at his Bible-themed park, Eli finds himself unable to decline. The Harpos embark on a lively road trip from their home in Kentucky to Bible World in Orlando, leaving Eli to confront not only his faith and sexuality but also the complex humanity of his parents and the consequences of a family held together by mythmaking beginning to unravel.

Eli Harpo Adventure to the Afterlife is a delightful and poignant tale of self-discovery and the pursuit of truth, taking readers on a journey that is both hilarious and moving. Through Eli's eyes, we witness his struggles and triumphs as he navigates the complexities of faith, sexuality, and family relationships. The novel explores the power of belief, the importance of forgiveness, and the significance of embracing one's true self, even in the face of adversity.

In conclusion, Eric Schlich's Eli Harpo Adventure to the Afterlife is a must-read for anyone seeking a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant novel. With its engaging characters, witty dialogue, and profound themes, this book offers a unique and captivating perspective on the human experience. Whether you are a believer or a skeptic, Eli's journey will leave you inspired and moved.

Weight: 560g
Dimension: 161 x 237 x 35 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781419769122