Journal from the Apocaplagues

About the Book

An Accidental novel emerging from the diary of Dr. Robert Sweet, a gay university professor and writer who, between l984 and 1986, was diagnosed as having incurable cancer by six oncologists. Alive and well 17 years later, Sweet weaves his odyssey through the corridors of impending death into a dynamic portrait of the three modern plagues: cancer, AIDS, and human indifference. One oncologist commented that he wished he could read the truthful reactions of a cancer patient with so negative a prognosis. Poignant, dramatic, insightful, and funny, this journal is a must read for all of us who must eventually confront mortality.

About the Author

Dr. Sweet is the author of five published novels including Dame America (Barlenmir House) and Akbar the Great (Heinemann Ltd.) and the nonfiction text Writing Towards Wisdom: the Writer as Shaman (Helios House). His short stories have appeared in over sixty magazines and been listed and on the Role of Honor in Best American Short Stories. He is also a painter, sculptor and composer. “Sweet has a real gift for creating atmosphere and ambiguity. It is curious that people here (not Europe) fight the ambiguity of the unconscious.” – Anais Ninn. “Your writing is terrific.” – John Gardner. “…a remarkable talent.” –Gordon Lish. “… one of the very few really great writers I’ve come across.” – Leo Connellan. “You go for the most dangerous game of all: Truth Absolute. I can’t forget your work because it gives me the human honor of thinking and rethinking.” – Gary Elder.