Welcome to the Ishmael Community

During all the years I spent writing version after version of the book that ultimately became Ishmael, I worried that I was utterly alone in the direction my thought was taking me. I despaired of ever having others to talk to and was afraid that, even if my ideas were published, people would have no sympathy with them or would be put off by them entirely.

Happily, my concerns were groundless. When I began hearing from readers of Ishmael, I learned there are thousands who suffer the same frustrations, who feel alone with the ideas rolling around in their heads, who can't reveal their doubts and concerns for fear of being thought crazy! When they wrote to express their relief, I knew just what they were talking about, because I felt the same relief!

That's why we call this the Ishmael Community. It's been developing and growing over several years now, offering a home base for people to meet and share their concerns and fears, hopes and enthusiasms. Particularly, it's a place where readers of Ishmael, The Story of B, My Ishmael, and Providence can share with each other and with me their experience of those books.

Many people have said to me, "After reading your books, I see the world in a new way---but my friends don't get it, and I can't talk to them about it." Well, there are friends of my own who don't get it, and I can't talk to them about it either. I've even lost friends over my books. But, thankfully, I've gained many more new ones all over the world--from Sweden to South Africa, from Korea to Argentina, from Australia to Alaska. Their letters have given me inspiration and energy. When you read on in this site, I expect you too will make these kinds of connections. Maybe you'll even find someone in your neighborhood who shares your vision and concern. But even if you don't, this website offers you a community of like minds--a place where you can speak your mind and learn from others as well.

If you're new to the Ishmael Community, I hope you'll enjoy your first exploration and will find it stimulating and thought-provoking. Most of all, I hope you'll find here a community you can feel "at home" with, no matter where you live.

Sincerely,

Daniel Quinn

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