The Barnabas Trail: a fictional analysis of anti-intellectualism

The Barnabas Trail is the second of five books that form The Kialo Series. We learn more about the history of the various nations in this imaginary world, in order to set up a better understanding of how and why everything operates the way it does. Six years have passed since the end of Book 1, when Axel, Caleb, Edwin, and Rupert entered Kialo after their arduous ordeal following The Way. For each of these men life in Kialo has proven to be a wonderful experience. Besides the joy of living according to reason over delusion, they each have found love and acceptance within the community. However for Axel, even though he and Evangela are very happy together, his heart is still drawn back to Widdendream because he knows his sister Abigail has professed her unbelief to him, and yet she has chosen to remain in that dangerous theocratic environment. Axel has formulated a plan to go back and save her. As he and Edwin head out of Kialo they learn that the Treaty of Kalah, which has ensured peace among all nations for the past three hundred years, has been broken, and a tribute based economy has once again begun. The primary objection of these nations is based on the distrust and rejection of education and science, claiming that the only real truth is found in following god. In all this confusion, Axel will face the most difficult challenge of his life. He must enter Widdendream, despite being wanted for apostacy, which carries a life sentence. But what he learns about Abigail will then force him to alter his plan. We are introduced to several new characters who will play a big part in this book, as well as Book 3. Existential commentary is interspersed throughout this multi-plotted story.