William's Startling Emails

by Josephine Falla

What would happen if you decided to email God... and God emailed back?

It was during one of his periodic bouts of smouldering resentment at the way his life had turned out that William Penfold first thought of emailing God. It seemed more modern than praying, somehow. More up-to-date. Anyway, he didn’t want to pray. He wanted to protest. He’d been on this earth about 70 years give or take. The point was he did not like the way he was living. Most of the time he was angry about things. He didn’t want to be perpetually angry. He wanted serene comfort. He would tell The Lord about it all and see if He could put it right...

William Penfold is an angry wreck of a man, drinking too much and depressed at the way his life has turned out. He is one of life’s eccentrics who is aware that his life was once very different but he refuses to try to remember the past. He decides to email God to protest about all this – only to get an enigmatic reply! As they exchange emails, William’s life changes for the better, in a most surprising way, and he finds himself becoming someone with social standing and friends in the community. A case of from Zero to Hero!

William's Startling Emails is a quirky, entertaining, but thought-provoking first novel by Joesphine Falla.

Author news

Pam Eaves, a prolific and successful short story writer who has written an anthology of short stories, called 'Light in the Shade' published by Circaidy Gregory Press, has read 'Dear God' and has this to say:
From the first paragraph of this intriguing story, 'It was during one of his periodic bouts of smouldering resentment at the way his life had turned out that William Penfold first thought of emailing God' the reader's imagination is caught and despite William Penfold being the type of character you would avoid in real life, you simply have to read on and discover what happens when he receives a reply. Realistically written and sympathetic, but never mawkish, William springs to life on the page as you follow him through bewilderment and experimentation to a sort of renewal. A 'different' but highly amusing tale from Josephine Falla. Highly recommended reading.

Jacqueline Jacques is a successful novelist and has written 5 novels:
Lottie, and Skin Deep, both published by Honno, plus Someone to Watch over me, Wrong way up the Slide, and A Lazy Eye, all published by Piatkus. She says of 'William's Amazing Emails':
'Inventive, funny and off-beat. An original take on the problems of an ageing eccentric!'

The author, Josephine Falla, has another novel, 'Mine Own Woman' which she hopes will be out next year.

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About the Author

Josephine Falla

Josephine Falla lives in Essex - which is a much nicer place to live than people realise! London, with all its delights and cultural opportunities, plus Epping Forest, which is enchanting at all times of the year, are both easily accessible. She lives alone, writes a lot, paints a little and generally joins in with whatever is going on. She has a son, David, who has severe learning disability and a gentle and affectionate character. She says she has learned a lot of wisdom from him.