On the Edge of Infinity tells the story of Michael O'Brien, one of the most popular Catholic novelists, and artists, of our times. It covers his story from his childhood in the Canadian arctic to the crucial decision in 1976 to devote himself wholly to Christian sacred arts, and the following inspiration to write fiction, until his breakthrough with the best-selling apocalyptic novel, Father Elijah.
O'Brien's life is one of struggle against all odds to reestablish Christian culture in the materialist void created by the Western world in the 20th century. It is a timely reminder of hope in trials and sufferings, of endurance during marginalization and poverty. This is the first biography of O'Brien, and it also provides an introduction to his fiction, art and essays.
The author was granted unrestricted access to Michael O'Brien's personal archive, including his diary from the late 1970s until the present day. New sides of O'Brien's interior creative life were uncovered, ripe with mystical experiences, spiritual struggles and illuminations. The picture that appears is that of writer and artist whose inspiration arise from an intense fusion of imagination and active faith.
As O'Brien's life is still unfolding, and brings the lived experience of the post conciliar church up to the crisis of our times. As a young man O'Brien lost his faith, but regained it in an interior experience of evil that shook him and made him leave a path of fascination with the occult. This sharp break with spiritual darkness gave him a mission to be a watchman, to warn those prepared to listen of the destructive nature of what Western man sees as merely innocent pleasures, entertainment, or progress.
