This, for me, is why Superman II is the best Superman movie (I’m geeking out now, I know.) Mostly because of Zod, Ursa and Non and that scene with the redneck in the diner. But also because, at its heart, it’s a tragedy. A proper tragedy. (Skip the rest of this paragraph if you’ve never seen Superman 2. Although, if you haven’t seen Superman II, why are you even still reading? Go and watch Superman II!) Superman gives up his powers to be with Lois, but the tragedy comes at the end when he regains his powers in order to save the world. And loses Lois again. Forever. Great ending for the world. Great ending for me when I first saw it, as a kid. Even a great ending for Lois, as she remembers nothing after a memory-wiping superkiss (a what?!). But for Superman? Tragedy. Proper gut-churning, heart-rending tragedy.
If only Superman had been able to keep his powers and be with Lois, right? But this was back in the day, there were rules, and those rules said that was never going to happen. But, hey, this is my book. My rules. Okay, Seb doesn’t get to keep his powers and be with Mee, but he finds a way he can be with her and not leave the universe unprotected.
I knew this was the way it would all end before I started writing The Unmaking Engine. I knew Seb wasn’t, actually, too super. He could meet more powerful beings (hello, Kaani and, possibly, the Gyeuk) and be injured, or killed. But, ultimately, he could, and would, choose absolute vulnerability to be with Mee and Joni. Now, that’s the choice of a hero. Just don’t tell my Superman II-loving twelve-year-old self.
Finally, there was the question of religion, spirituality, and mysticism - running themes throughout all four books. Did Seb live up to Baiyaan’s hopes sufficiently? What does his eventual choice mean for his spiritual progress, when it seems that Baiyaan exhibits the traits of an advanced mystic?
(I’m not answering any of those questions, by the way.)
One last thing, for those of you who have followed me since The World Walker, as I slowly realized that, as unlikely as it seemed, readers were, overwhelmingly, responding positively to my first novel - so much so that I was able to write a second, then a third, and now a fourth. I hope you’ll permit me this slightly self-indulgent anecdote. We leased a car recently, and the salesman sat down with me to fill out the forms.
“Occupation?”
I only hesitated for a second and a half, tops. I swear.
“Author,” I said.
More books to come, I promise. Thank you, thank you, for reading.
Ian W. Sainsbury
Norwich
June 12th, 2017
My blog is ianwsainsbury.com and I’m on Facebook too - https://www.facebook.com/IanWSainsbury/
Apparently, I’m on Twitter, but I’m a bit shit at Twitter.
Also by Ian W. Sainsbury
The World Walker (The World Walker Series 1)
The Unmaking Engine (The World Walker Series 2)
The Seventeenth Year (The World Walker Series 3)
Children Of The Deterrent (Halfhero Series 1)
The World Walker Series Box Set Page 123