Draft:City of Mann

= City Of Mann = Released in 2023, City of Mann is a speculative fiction novel by Irish Canadian author L. Ross Coulter. Fundamentally a Christian allegory, it is a genre bending absurdist tale of speculative literary fiction that blends philosophy, theology and humor together in a unique literary style more reminiscent of early 20th century writings than modern fiction.

Plot Summary
The story begins in a narrative style describing God's creation of everything. After the universe with its matter and laws of science are established, a species called 'the Sentient Cities' are made and put on a planet of their own. Each of these creatures are a self contained sentience comprised of a physical floating 'City', its 'Citizens' and its 'Ruler'. City of Mann, the protagonist of the story, ruled by its Ruler, 'Ruler Mann' is one of these Cities, and the story of his life begins from there. An ordinary city by Sentient City standards, he grows up in the ordinary way and coming of age, he leaves his childhood home for the city of Epicurea where he gets his first job as an intern at CitiCorp. Over time, and through trial and error, he learns how to fit in with modern Sentient City society and in due course becomes successful in his life and career. But inside his city walls things are not as they appear. Existential questions about death, the meaning of life and its purpose are tormenting him, and soon the turmoil within his walls push his Ruler, his Citizens and his wily Politicians to the brink. Falling into a deep depression he calls out to God for help and hearing him God visits. Taking up residence in the City's Temple on Ruler Mann's request, he terraforms the City and gives Mann a new means of establishing control. This works for a time, but it is not long before Mann's Citizens have fallen back into their old ways. Returning to the Temple to talk to God, he tries to find the answer to what is going wrong.