Media release: Archangel Oriel returns to help out St Paul

The travels of Bible hero Paul are retold through the eyes of an angel in an exciting new novel just out from Scripture Union.

Oriel’s Travels, the second novel from London vicar Robert Harrison, is published this month. It follows his successful debut novel, Oriel’s Diary, which was a hit with Christian readers last year.

‘Oriel’s Travels is the story of Paul, and Oriel relates to him differently to the way he relates to Jesus,’ says Harrison. ‘And whereas the first book was simply Oriel’s personal diary, this is very much a travel diary, with entries for all the different places that he visits with Paul. If Oriel’s Travels were a film it would be a “road movie”, a bit like one of my favourites, Midnight Run.’

In the novel, which is based on Paul’s travels throughout New Testament scripture, Oriel’s mission is to get Paul safely to Rome, but he finds Paul repeatedly heads off in the wrong direction. In the end they do make it, after many adventures and disasters, and the journey has changed them both.

The character of Oriel began life 18 years ago, when Harrison invented him for a drama sketch about Jonah. He began to realise that Oriel could be used to tell other Bible stories from a unique perspective, even attracting readers who might not usually go near the Bible.

‘I know that lots of people have given Oriel’s Diary not just to Christians but to friends and family who are not Christians. If they enjoyed Oriel’s Diary then they will enjoy Oriel’s Travels too,’ Harrison comments.

‘If Oriel’s Diary is about “Why be a Christian?”, then Oriel’s Travels is about “How to be a Christian”, he adds. ‘It explores what it means to be God's child and how the Holy Spirit lives and works in us. I might also say that Oriel’s Travels is for everyone who is not quite sure whether they like Paul – and that includes almost all the Christians I’ve ever met!’

As with the first title, the new book was first read at bedtimes at the vicarage for the Harrison children. Daughters Naomi (13) and Grace (11) helped their dad at the revision stage:

‘I read them the first printed draft as a bedtime story. I would busily scribble comments in the margin with a pencil. They would stop me from time to time and say things like, “You used travelled twice in that paragraph!” I have not written these books for children, but work on the principle that if my children can understand them then adults shouldn't have too much trouble.’

Robert Harrison’s eldest son Isaac (7) will be joining in the first read-through of the third book, to be titled Oriel in the Desert, and due for publication by Scripture Union in Autumn 2004.

Oriel’s Diary and Oriel’s Travels are published by Scripture Union at £6.99 each. They are available from all good Christian bookshops and through Scripture Union mail order on 08450 706 006 (local rate).

Pictures available to accompany this story: Robert Harrrison, covers of Oriel’s Travels and Oriel’s Diary

For further queries about this release, please contact Lin Ball on 01908 856179 or linb@scriptureunion.org.uk.

For additional comments from the author or to arrange new photo opportunities, please contact Robert Harrison direct on 01895 461945 or rob.harrison@london.anglican.org