Interview with Brent Nichols of Fantastic Adventures:
I get the impression
that The Unholy is a book only you could write, because of the setting, and
because of your own background. Let's start with the setting. Tell me about
Aztlan. Aztlan is the mythopoeic
realm of the mestizos (mixed bloods of southwestern United States). I am
mestizo. Aztlan is New Mexico, especially
the region of Albuquerque (southern Aztlan) and Santa Fe (northern
Aztlan) and extends to the four corners area. Spirits, dreams, visions, and
natural magic are woven seamlessly into everyday life.
Your protagonist, Claire
Sanchez, is a curandera, a term which roughly translates as "Medicine
Woman." What exactly is a curandera? What led you to choose this
occupation for your heroine? A
curandera is a healer. She spoke to me as the story evolved, told me who she
was and told me of her struggle to find herself. The path of a healer is
fraught with danger. She dramatizes the life of so many women and men seeking
to face their fears, find themselves, and walk the path of healing, natural
magic, and life.
Faith and religion are
central themes of The Unholy. You explore the abuse of religion and the
conflict that can come from spirituality. What would you say is the central
theme or message of Unholy? What impact are you hoping to have on your readers?
The central message of The
Unholy is Religion Kills. It is made explicit at the end of the tale. News
media broadcast Religion Kills as they describe the battle between the evil
Archbishop and the young curandera.
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