Interview with James R. Olson

The Vagabond Healer
James R. Olson
PublishAmerica (2007)
ISBN 9781424169382
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (5/07)

Today, Tyler R. Tichelaar of Reader Views is joined by James R. Olson, author of the newly published “The Vagabond Healer.”

James Olson was first published in 1973 by the Houghton Mifflin Company. That initial novel, “Ulzana,” won several awards, including the Council of Wisconsin Writers best fiction book of the year, The Border Regional Library Association fiction award for literary excellence and enriching the cultural heritage of the Southwest, and the Evelyn Oppenheimer “Oppie” for best historical novel of the year. Since then he has written many works of both historical fiction and police action thrillers. He has also traveled and lived throughout the world, including Japan and Germany, due to his father’s military career. He credits his experiences with diverse cultures as a primary source for his many insights into the human condition. James Olson’s latest novel, “The Vagabond Healer” is the story of a man who becomes a social outcast because of his ability to heal people’s bodies and souls.

Tyler:  Welcome, Jim. I’m excited to have you here today to talk about “The Vagabond Healer.” To start, could you tell us where you came up with the idea to write a novel about a healer?

Jim:  First, thank you for this opportunity to talk about my novel, which is a subject dear to my heart.

My primary focus is fiction, which means that through my writing I’m able to create the world as I would like it to be. In the real world, every time you turn on the TV you are bombarded with commercials about prescription medications that supposedly cure all the world’s ailments.  One evening as I watched those ads I thought, wouldn’t it be wonderful if it were possible to make people healthy and happy without the need for expensive medicines with all their adverse side effects.

As thoughts have a tendency to do, this one germinated in my mind until the idea evolved into Eddy and his healing abilities, which I believed had the potential to be an exciting story.

Tyler: In the novel, Eddy Foster’s gift of healing is a mixed blessing. Would you explain to our readers what are the advantages and disadvantages of his gift?

Jim:  Just as a coin has two sides, even a blessing can have a dark side.

Obviously Eddy’s ability to cure people, to relieve pain and suffering, was his gift, which most people would agree is a blessing. However to make the story interesting and create conflict I had to discover the dark side, the curse, associated with Eddy’s power. I came up with the idea that when Eddy touched people and drew out the sickness, he also momentarily saw into the dark recesses of their souls where we all hide our deepest, darkest secrets.

Tyler: I can see the problem with being able to see into the dark recesses of people’s souls, but couldn’t Eddy just keep to himself what he finds out about people?

Jim: Actually, Eddy does just that, but in the end it doesn’t make any difference whether Eddy tells or not. Unfortunately it is human nature to be distrustful of anyone who shares our dark secrets. We tend to brood and become afraid of the consequences if the secret is revealed.  Then we tend to strike out at what we fear and that is the crux of Eddy’s problem.

Tyler: Does Eddy himself find it difficult or even horrifying to know so much about others?

Jim:  Oh yes. The inner turmoil from carrying the burden of so many dark secrets tears Eddy’s soul until he looks at his power as a curse.  If I were in Eddy’s place I don’t know whether I could handle the weight of seeing so much darkness in people. Perhaps it would be similar to a priest hearing confessions and being bound by a vow of silence.

Tyler: Eddy is a vagabond specifically because people have a hard time accepting his gift and are afraid of it. Why do you think people are skeptical and afraid of healing powers and other unexplainable phenomenon?

Jim:  I suspect the fear of things we don’t understand is a vestige of our primitive natures. Even modern, sophisticated man has some fear of things that go bump in the night. 

However, Eddy’s problem is not because of his ability to heal.  Although it would be confusing and frightening initially, I’m pretty certain people would learn to live with a phenomenon that was so obviously beneficial. It is the dark side of Eddy’s power, his ability to momentarily see into the souls of those he touches that causes the fear because people are aware he has glimpsed their hidden secrets.

Everyone wants to be liked, so we all wear masks to hide our inner selves and conceal our fears and the secrets of which we aren’t very proud. It is the secrets Eddy has seen behind those masks that generates the antagonism and violence that forces Eddy to become a vagabond.

Tyler: “The Vagabond Healer” has been labeled as Christian fiction. Obviously, Eddy has healing abilities similar to those of Jesus Christ. Did you intend there to be parallels between Eddy and Jesus?

Jim:  I had honestly never thought of the novel as being Christian fiction. I believe the suggestion of genre came from Debra Gaynor, who wrote a wonderful review for Reader Views and was kind enough to call this “One of the finest pieces of fiction I have ever read” —a comment which absolutely thrilled me.

However, I never had any intention of drawing a parallel between Jesus and Eddy and I’m not convinced that one exists. Eddy’s gift is definitely God given and changes many people’s lives for the better, but Eddy is not even close to being a prophet or Messiah. I visualize Eddy as a relatively normal young man attempting to cope with an abnormal ability.

Tyler: Do you personally believe people can have healing powers like Eddy’s, or are such healing powers fictitious and just enjoyable to imagine to create good fiction?

Jim:  I personally believe there are more things in heaven and earth than we dream of. But, to answer your question I believe there are well documented cases of faith healers and miracles. However, to the best of my knowledge Eddy is unique in his ability to see into the hearts of people.

Tyler: The story is told by Sam, who met Eddy and experienced the events, thus creating a frame or story within the story. Why did you choose to use this narrative frame?

Jim: Choosing a point of view is always a difficult decision. Generally readers identify with the main character in a novel, which in this story would be Eddy. I simply did not see that happening because although most of us would love to be able to perform magic or cure pain and suffering, it is difficult to identify with someone possessing that ability.  For example it is easier to relate to King Arthur than to Merlin.

I believe the decision to have Eddy’s story seen through Sam’s eyes worked out very well. Many readers have expressed a kinship with Sam and Mary, and consequently appreciated Eddy more because of Sam’s insights.

Tyler: That’s interesting that you understood the reader might have difficulty relating to Eddy. Do you think your narrative frame also added to Eddy’s mystique?

Jim:  Hopefully so. If we watch a magician, on a rational level we want to know how the trick is accomplished, but on a deeper level we want to believe the magician is doing something inexplicable. By observing Eddy through Sam’s eyes the power remains more of a mystery and allows us to maintain our deep seated desire to believe in magic and miracles.

Tyler: What would you say is the theme of “The Vagabond Healer”?

Jim:  My goal was to create a story that would leave the reader with a warm, happy feeling. Consequently I would best describe my conception of the basic theme as faith and love, two qualities that will eventually conquer fear and prejudice.

Tyler:  Based on the review you mentioned above, it sounds like you’ve succeeded in your goal. So what can we expect next from your pen?

Jim:  My head is always full of ideas and plots in various stages of development. However I’m currently working on an historical novel about the Chiricahua Apaches during the years after the end of the Indian wars.

Tyler: Thank you for joining me today, Jim. Before we go, would you let readers know where they can find out more information about “The Vagabond Healer” and where to purchase a copy?

Jim:  I have a website, www.booksbyolson.com, where there is a great deal of information; including written, oral and video previews of “The Vagabond Healer.”  I may also be contacted through the website if readers have further questions.  I highly value reader’s questions and comments and personally answer all my emails. 

I do not sell the book directly from my site although there is a link to the Amazon page where they may purchase.  Also, the novel is available through all the major wholesalers, so if a bookstore does not have the novel in stock, they can order it.

Thank you for having me today, Tyler.  I enjoyed the opportunity to stretch my mind answering your insightful questions.

Tyler: Thank you, Jim, it’s been a real pleasure, and I wish you the best of luck with your future writing ventures.

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