Not Wanted on the Voyage by Timothy Findley

“Story Time for Grownups” presents one of the most spectacular re-imaginings of an overly familiar tale. Old, tired, and depressed, God decides to do away with Himself and all His creation. But He tips off his devoted servant, Dr. Noyes, who is, to be honest, an arrogant jerk: obsessed with God’s law and doing only what is right in God’s eyes. The true hero is Mrs. Noyes, an alcoholic who talks to animals, from the sheep to her nearly blind, 20-year-old cat Mottyl (who narrates part of the story and is the only one who divines God’s true intent). The lovely fallen angel Lucifer senses something big is up and transforms himself into a beautiful woman who hooks up with Ham, a dreamy scientist, to make the boat—along with Shem “the Ox,” and gullible Japeth, kidnapped by ruffians who turned his skin permanently blue. Power blocs form, secrets are hidden and revealed, and what starts out a quirky, amusing fantasy escalates into an apex of apocalyptic horror. The language is simple and spare, but the imagery and plot astoundingly rich.

Order a pint of beer, a pot of tea, soup, sandwich, or cookies while you enjoy the old-fashioned experience of listening to a story read aloud. Browse the shelves for a book you might like to take home. No cover.

David Loftus has read to listeners in libraries, coffee shops, Powell’s Books, Borders, and Umpqua Bank, on the streets of Portland, and for recordings for the blind. He has performed Gandalf, Bilbo, and Gollum live with Willamette Radio Workshop, and Sherlock Holmes on KBOO. David voices principal characters for the science-fiction podcasts “Exoplanetary” and “253 Mathilde.”