Dale Mcgowan

Calling Bernadette's Bluff: a Novel Dale Mcgowan

There's only one real taboo left in 21st Century America, and Jack Kassel's got it bad. He doesn't believe in God. And even that might be all right if he didn't teach at the College of Saint Bernadette, but he does. Nothing is more important to Jack than the triumph of truth over comforting fantasies. But St. Bernie's is the land of created realities, where critical thoughts go to die.When his oldest partner in disbelief shows up as the campus priest, Jack edges nearer the abyss, finally plunging over when his ex-wife enrolls their brilliant young son in a Lutheran school and the boy starts quoting Scripture in response to Jack's questions.Back against the wall, Jack starts to come out as a nonbeliever at what turns out to be the worst possible time -- as a vision of the Virgin Mary turns the college into a holy pilgrimage site.