The Caterpillar's Question by Piers Anthony and Philip José Farmer (41 page)

Piers is generally regarded as a sort of ogre. In fact, his autobiography is titled Bio of an Ogre. However, if you've read it, you can see that there's far more to him than being an "ogre." He's a writer who won't take any crap from anybody, especially certain publishers, editors, and agents. He fights fiercely for what he believes is right. He is very compassionate and honest. He is also highly imaginative and inventive.

I admire him as a person and as a writer.

There are many good writers around. There are not many people who embody the old-fashioned but still viable principles of honesty, integrity, and high courage.

We melded well in style and inspired each other with challenging ideas and turns of plot. At least, I like to think so.

When the end of the novel was nearing, I had to fight my inborn pessimism (or clear view of reality) to conclude with a tragedy. It seemed to me that the Imago would take over Tappy so completely that she would become alienated from Jack. As the host for the Imago, she would indeed become a goddess; she would be worshipped. Though Tappy would resist that, she would inevitably be a victim of this deification. Thus, Jack would lose her and have no hope of ever getting her back.

Also, the spreading of empathy throughout the universe would not be all good. Every good has its disadvantages and flaws. And vice versa.

But the extrapolation of the full effect of the Imago and Tappy's sufferings is another story. When the novel ends, she and Jack are happy and the good times are to come to the sentients of all worlds. Let it end there.

Copyright � 1992 by Piers Anthony and Philip Jos� Farmer.

ISBN: 0-441-09488-0