After giving The Sower of Black Field a five-star review, the staff at Literary Titan asked four insightful questions about the story and the writing process. I felt they were intriguing enough to showcase here on my website.
In case you missed it: Find Literary Titan’s review of The Sower of Black Field on their website »
The Sower of Black Field follows an American priest in Nazi Germany as he defies oppression to protect his parish and wrestles with the moral challenges of faith in a time of unimaginable darkness. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
In 2004 (about 20 years ago), I discovered that Fr. Viktor Koch, C.P., my paternal great-granduncle, witnessed the rise and fall of Nazi Germany behind enemy lines. He was credited for saving Schwarzenfeld from Patton’s Third Army. This story was not passed down through the generations. In fact, Fr. Viktor visited the US only once after WWII, and he never revealed any of his wartime experiences to his family. We learned his story through a series of fateful coincidences.
To piece together fragments of Fr. Viktor’s story, I traveled to Schwarzenfeld in 2005 and spoke with eyewitnesses who remembered him. Some were the very people he saved. Once I realized the profound impact he had on the local population—both as an American and a Passionist—I knew this novel had to immerse readers in the experiences of German characters enduring oppression and hardship under their own government. In the narrative, they’ll witness how Fr. Viktor’s ministry and counsel insulated his followers from the predatory ideology of National Socialism. Only then is it clear why he risked everything to defend the people of Schwarzenfeld from his fellow Americans under the most harrowing circumstances.
How did you approach balancing historical accuracy with the fictional narrative?
Aside from being a novelist, I’m also an academic and an independent historian. From the start, I knew I was dealing with historical factors that were highly unlikely in the broader context of WWII history. I don’t think many novelists write peer-reviewed journal papers and present at history conferences to support their novels, but I do—and for good reason. This story contained so many controversial aspects that historians were bound to scrutinize it for perceived historical inaccuracies.
The facts themselves were extraordinary enough to make an emotive storyline. I injected fiction only to streamline the narrative (inventing characters who reenacted real-life stories and gave the novel a cohesive flow), fill holes where the facts were forever lost to history, and apply fictitious names to people who historically played a negative role. I was dealing with sensitive history on the German side, and it’s not my intention to impugn anyone or point out whose father did what in the war.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
While researching and writing this story, I gained a nuanced perspective on what life was like for the Germans in Schwarzenfeld—and for anyone unfortunate enough to live under an authoritarian regime. Think of the five freedoms granted to American citizens in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution: press, petition, assembly, speech, and religion. Can you imagine living in a time and place where you had none of those? Even the smallest act of dissent or resistance could have devastating consequences. I wanted American readers to experience that oppression through the thoughts and senses of a character born on free soil, just as they are. In the process, I hope they will gain an appreciation for the courage of the Schwarzenfelders as they attempt to live a life of conscience and faith.
Clearly, faith was another vital theme in the story. The theology of Fr. Viktor’s order—the Passionists—served as my guiding light throughout the writing process. The Passionists believe that suffering is the great and terrible equalizer of humanity. In their words, “Christ is present in all who suffer.” This is a profound message—one that calls on us to perceive the divine in every living person, regardless of nation, race, or creed, and challenges us to see beyond divisions created by culture and society. In times of war and oppression, suffering is never far from one’s mind. Perhaps this is why his followers found solace and strength in his message.
What was the most challenging aspect of writing about faith in such a harrowing historical context?
When I began writing this story, I grappled with many of the questions that frequently arise when we contemplate the horrors of Nazi Germany. If there is a God, how can He permit such horrors? Why does He do nothing to intervene? In the novel, Fr. Viktor accepts that his presence in Schwarzenfeld is tantamount to a miracle—a higher power wanted an American there to prevent his fellow countrymen from committing an atrocity. If that is true, how could God intervene to save one small village in such an extraordinary way while millions perished in concentration camps?
As a writer, I’m aware that saints, theologians, and people of faith have contemplated questions like these for decades—even centuries. I don’t claim to be a theologian (and I’m certainly not a saint!) However, I did attempt to offer answers. I pored over Fr. Viktor’s historical letters in detail, trying to glean his insights on faith, good, evil, free will, and God’s will—and I did my best to integrate them into his dialogue. Regardless of whether readers accept the perspectives presented in the novel, I figured they would respect the work if I tackled these thorny questions head-on, and let the characters ponder and debate them. Based on reader comments and editorial reviews, many people turn the last page with plenty of food for thought.
