In Aaron Asadi’s latest work, “Ohmigod!“, readers are treated to a unique blend of humor and existential dread that captures the complexities of modern life through the eyes of an extremely relatable—if somewhat neurotic—protagonist. Set against the backdrop of an ordinary Tuesday, this book explores what happens when the divine forcefully reinserts itself into the humdrum of everyday existence.
Everyday Life Meets Biblical Proportions
Sam Dalton, our reluctant hero, is a man of routine and simplicity. His life, filled with small tasks and personal victories like getting his garden sorted, is suddenly turned upside down when God decides to make a grand re-entrance to Earth. The arrival is not a quiet one; it sends shockwaves through the media, governments, and Sam’s local community, throwing his meticulously organized life into chaos.
Asadi paints a vivid picture of a man who is not just resistant to change but genuinely perturbed by the upheavals that come with the divine drama unfolding around him. The comedy of the novel stems from Sam’s attempts to maintain normalcy in the face of surreal circumstances. Asadi’s portrayal of Sam, a man who could be on the autism spectrum, navigating these challenges adds depth and a touch of poignancy to the narrative, highlighting the often overlooked struggles of those who thrive on predictability in their daily lives.
Adapting to the Inevitable
One of the central themes of “Ohmigod!” is the inevitability of change. Despite Sam’s best efforts, the arrival of God on Earth is a catalyst for transformation that no one—not even the most change-averse individuals—can ignore. Through a comedic lens, Asadi explores the human condition and our often futile attempts to cling to a semblance of control when life decides otherwise.
The novel doesn’t just throw its protagonist into disarray without offering insights into his inner world. Asadi delves into Sam’s psyche, providing readers with a front-row seat to his thought processes as he grapples with new daily realities that include altered bin days, disrupted shopping routines, and the daunting task of dealing with new people. This exploration makes Sam’s journey not just a series of comedic misadventures but also a relatable story of personal growth and acceptance.
A Reflection of the Author’s Own Journey
Aaron Asadi, whose background in consumer media has given him a unique lens through which to view the world, brings a personal touch to his storytelling. His own shift from Catholicism to atheism informs much of the novel’s thematic exploration of belief and skepticism. “Ohmigod!” serves not only as entertainment but as a reflection of Asadi’s personal and philosophical musings, all wrapped up in a narrative that’s as engaging as it is thought-provoking.
Asadi’s approach to writing, filled with self-deprecating humor and candid admissions about his life, makes “Ohmigod!” feel particularly intimate. Readers may find his honest and sometimes irreverent take on life and change refreshing. The novel is less about the spectacle of divine intervention and more about the personal evolution one undergoes when faced with the unimaginable.
In conclusion, “Ohmigod!” by Aaron Asadi is more than just a bleak comedy; it’s a mirror to the absurdity of our routines and the lengths we will go to preserve them in the face of inevitable change. Through the eyes of Sam Dalton, Asadi invites us to laugh, sympathize, and perhaps reflect on our own resistance to the unexpected twists of life. This novel promises to be a delightful read for anyone who enjoys their existential dilemmas served with a generous side of humor.
We had the pleasure of interviewing the author. Here are the excerpts from the interview:
Hi, It’s great to have you with us today! Please introduce yourself and tell us what you do.
I’m Aaron. Here are some interesting facts about me:
I once fit a whole pack of Jaffa Cakes in my mouth. Before then, I was living in the southwest of England. And since.
I’ve had a twenty-something-year career in consumer media, most notably as an exec at Future. I have, at one time or another, ran most of the biggest print and online brands there. It was all very successful, but such is the way of business; one is never sure how much they really had to do with any of it. I suppose some people are more sure than others, but I don’t know how they can be. Perhaps they had the right amount of hugs as a child. Or too many. Definitely not too few, I suspect.
Anyway, I have always enjoyed writing. I like how words sneak into your brain from the page or screen and sometimes do something unexpected. Zebra fish.
When I was young, my brother and I would talk to each other in the gap between our bunk bed and the wall, plotting stories and casting them. Inventing such things has always been an itch; I couldn’t ever find the time to scratch. But now that I am finally scratching it, the itch is getting worse.
Please tell us about your book.
I was raised Catholic and eventually became an atheist through no fault of my own. And the arguments surrounding these things grip me. One day, I had this idea for a story about God coming back to Earth and being very Old Testament about it. It was a struggle initially because I was trying to write from different perspectives, but I eventually asked myself the question, “but what would it be like for me?”. It was much easier then.
It’s a story about a man who is very adverse to change, is quite probably autistic, and who has no real purpose in his life other than carrying on his depressing routines. So when God comes down and starts doing his thing, Sam, the hero of the book, starts to worry how bin days, shopping, and dealing with new people are going to change. But, as is often the case, there’s only so much you can control, and eventually, there is no escaping what’s going on.
So, in short, God comes down, tedious, mad, and tries to keep his sham of a life together. Oh, and it’s called Ohmigod!.
Please tell us about your journey.
Writing the book has been fun. I suppose it lived in my head for a while before my fingertips tapped keys. But while it gestated, lots of videos were watched about God and beliefs, lots of neurodivergent articles were read, and the notion of free will existing was explored.
And that last point is definitely a theme in the book. I have been really taken with this idea from Dr Robert Sapolsky that in truth we are just biological robots and not actually making a choice to do anything, however much it might feel like that. This idea that people are trapped by themselves and their instilled beliefs, genetics, and experiences is really compelling, I think.
Once I was able to satisfy myself that these ideas were well represented in the plot, it was really just a case of sitting down on speaking on behalf of the characters involved (apart from God, whose words I took from the bible). I have never really had a problem focussing on a task I enjoy – it’s always been more problematic to find the time to do it.
What are the strategies that helped you become successful in your journey?
I certainly haven’t been successful as an author. I don’t suppose I will be. Selling books is hard as it turns out. But I do now feel good that, no matter what, I can say a wrote a thing all on my own. And I guess that was achieved in a few stages:
- Just being clear about what the plot was going to be, and in some detail.
- I found a rhythm that suited me (it really took a while to understand when I was more productive during the day).
- Setting small targets along the way that meant I felt I was on plan and making progress.
Rome was not built in a day, but the laborers involved would certainly have had daily targets to build Rome.
Any message for our readers?
There is some controversial stuff in this book, and I think some of the more sensational aspects might unnerve folk who hear about it but don’t read it. In truth, though, it is very much about a person’s struggle with the world, about the little panics that define his life no matter what else is going on, and about the low self-esteem so many of us can’t ever seem to escape. Hopefully, people find this funny, too, although I admit the comedy isn’t obvious to anyone who has read this interview.
Thank you so much, Aaron, for giving us your precious time! We wish you all the best for your journey ahead!