Euphoria

Yahwehche is a prophet and the brother of Jesus Christ, who comes to poverty-stricken Haiti with a message of peace and redemption for all mankind. He quickly gathers a devoted following as he ministers to the poor and heals the sick. But just as rapidly, he attracts the censorious attention of the ruthlessly faithless, who persecute and torture Yahwehche when they cannot use his gifts to fuel their own ambitions. Yet Yahwehche, the celestially-radiant being who can withstand every degradation imposed by man, is unable to resist the charms of the seductive prostitute Maria Magdalena. After enduring torture at the hands of the powerful in both Haiti and the Dominican Republic and surviving a howling hurricane, he goes with Maria to a secluded village for physical recuperation and spiritual renewal. But instead, he is intoxicated by their carnal relationship, which causes him to forget the promises made to his disciples and abandon his heavenly mission. "Euphoria" is a mesmerizing contemporary parable written in luminous prose that depicts a would-be savior's fall from grace. Author Luis Reynoso evokes the inland setting of his story in a way that captures the cultural diversity, political cynicism and hopeful spirit of the people.