MacDonald Harris is the pseudonym under which Donald Heiney published his fiction. His early fascination with the sea, sparked at age twelve, permeates his work, lending it a unique nautical flavor. Heiney's prose is characterized by a deep exploration of the human psyche and the intricacies of relationships. Through his characters, he delves into internal demons and moral complexities, often set against evocative or challenging backdrops that echo his own experiences. His narrative style is polished and intellectually rich.
Mortal Leap tells a story we all know but have never heard: what happens when you have an opportunity to take another person's identity? A wife identifies a man badly disfigured in battle as her missing husband. What happens when he decides to go along with her mistake? Mortal Leap is both adventure story and metaphysical novel.
From Simon & Schuster, Hemingway's Suitcase is MacDonald Harris' novel about a writer claiming to have a suitcase containing a part of a novel and 20 or so novels by the great Ernest Hemingway. Nils-Frederik Glas, a talented eccentric, succeeds in publishing a collection of stories that may or may not actually be the lost "early works" of Ernest Hemingway.
Blending thrilling elements with literary depth, the narrative showcases MacDonald Harris's exceptional storytelling, reminiscent of Graham Greene and Mary McCarthy. The Treasure of Sainte Foy captivates readers with its gripping plot while exploring profound themes, elevating it beyond a mere thriller into a transcendent literary experience.
A critical sensation when first published in 1976, The Balloonist marries an intense love story with a gripping sci-fi adventure in the style of Jules Verne. The tale follows an attempt by a Swedish Scientist, an American journalist and a French speaking adventurer to be the first to set foot on the North Pole, travelling there and back by hot air balloon. In 2006, Philip Pullman brought attention back to this classic, highlighting the immense talent of a writer who had been overlooked for years. Pullman offers an introduction to this much deserved reissue.