Page 231 "A hundred-thousand Muslims died...and we were the barbarians."

From page 231 of the book:  "..."Well, for the sake of Monsieur Owen, I will say that it all began in '61.  We were fighting for independence from France.  You know the history, Owen.  We were under the rule of France for over a hundred years; enough was enough.  A hundred-thousand Muslims died; ten-thousand French; and we were the barbarians....."
 

The following are photographs of the Algerian War of Independence, 1954-1962:

Burning Algerian flag





Women's Unit of the Army of National Liberation

Movie poster for "The Battle of Algiers"



Page 224 "...What does the wife of a university professor do?"



From page 224 of the book:  "..."I don't know what she does.  What does the wife of a university professor do?"
     "Plan ways to leave her husband," suggested Owen.  "I don't know.  What university?"
     "George Washington," was the reply.
     Owen recognized the institution and spoke briefly about their basketball team, "The Colonials," and the university's excellent proximity to the avenues of power, both in geographical and human terms...."

Dr. Watson and Sherlock Holmes being greeted at Tavistock.

Jeremy Brett, the best Sherlock Holmes ever, hands down, no ifs ands or buts about it.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

From page 222 of the book: "..."What's the key to Arthur Conan Doyle's Silver Blaze?"
     Owen plucked Sarah's earlobe and searched the sky for his answer. He found it:
    "And I quote," began Owen: "'The dog did nothing in the night time.' 'That was the curious incident,' remarked Sherlock Holmes." He looked at me, his glass in his hand, a warm smile developing slowly. "Does it shock you or amaze you?" he asked...."

Page 216 "...he asked Owen how he was dealing with the valium,..."

From page 216 of the book: "...He asked Owen how he was dealing with the valium, if there were any side effects. Was he feeling less anxious or more able to deal with his nerves on the whole? His bedside manner put Owen completely in his hands. He listened intently as Owen spoke freely about what he knew concerning benzodiazepines or anxiolytics like alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide, and diazepam."

Xanax

Schematic overview of the localization of 5-HT receptors on a hypothetical serotonergic neuron showing possible involvement of various receptors types in the mediation of anxiety and depression.



Schematic citation: F. Batool : Buspirone And Anxiety Disorders: A Review With Pharmacological And Clinical Perspectives. The Internet Journal of Pharmacology. 2008 Vol. V, No. 2

Page 218 "...Have you read Merton?" asked Dr. Fanon.




Thomas Merton (1915–1968) was a 20th century Anglo-American Catholic writer. A Trappist monk of the Abbey of Gethsemani, Kentucky, he was a poet, social activist and student of comparative religion. In 1949, he was ordained to the priesthood and given the name Father Louis. Merton wrote more than 70 books, mostly on spirituality, social justice and a quiet pacifism, as well as scores of essays and reviews, including his best-selling autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain, which sent scores of disillusioned World War II veterans, students, and even teen-agers flocking to monasteries across the U.S. Merton was a keen proponent of interfaith understanding.

From page 218 of the book:  "I loved the part where he changed Arthur's father into the shell of his enemy so he could make love to the queen, and so beget Arthur. The story has always been a favorite of mine. I always used to worry about Morgana; not the most trustworthy virago, but I suppose one needed all sorts of friends in those days."
     They each in turn shuffled their feet, comparable to the degree of embarrassment that trailed within them.
     "Merton," said Ebert, wrapping his arm around Revenant's shoulders and taking him away. "Not Merlin! They were talking about Thomas Merton."

Merlin and Morgana

(Nicol Williamson & Helen Mirren, "Excalibur")

Page 213 "...in walked Dr. Fanon, the Algerian physician..."

From page 213 of the book:  "...Then the front door opened again and in walked Dr. Fanon, the Algerian physician who saw to Owen's medical incident.

"I once knew a revolutionary  by that name," he said bloated.

"Same name, no relation," I replied...."



French psychiatrist and revolutionary writer, whose writings had profound influence on the radical movements in the 1960s in the United States and Europe. As a political thinker born in Martinique, Fanon's views gained audience in the Caribbean islands along with Aimé Césaire, Edouard Glissant, C.L.R. James, and Eric Williams.

[I chose the name Fanon because I mention postwar colonial France enough in relation to Father Revenant and, while doing some research, came across this interesting man of conscience.  What better man to model Owen's own doctor after?]