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Gut: Combining the historical with the fictional without confusing the two

Spill:
Dear Dr. Kratzinger,

Your attention to historical accuracy and your regular critiques kept me from submersing myself into the story of The Shadow of the Galilean. I was reminded at the end of every chapter of the historical purpose of the book tied into the narrative element of it. You constantly brought me back to reality and helped me distinguish and maintain fact from fiction. You continually brought up questions and knowledge that I found helpful when reading, but perhaps the most beneficial thing you brought to The Shadow of the Galilean was your subtle display of how fictitious figures can embody the truth. By demanding I constantly compare my knowledge of the historical Jesus with the fictional image of Him created within the book, I was able to see how the two images complemented each other. Creating fiction around history heightens an understanding of the truth. Fiction allows history to become tangible to the reader, because they are able to relate to it on a more personal level. The shadow of your presence throughout the book helped bring clarity to the shadow of the Galilean.

Yours,
Mary Elizabeth