Welcome to the almost-useful life of Richard Ricci, a complacent rebel ruled by pride, and a Christian who barely has any idea of who God is. To be remembered by God for good or for better, that is the question, which Richard rarely thinks about. Therefore, he fails to understand that mere Christian conservatism without transformative discipleship is equally destructive to himself and America as any vice. Vain and selfish, Richard helps rescue so few souls that demons rejoice, angels cringe and the Creator grieves. Oblivious to the dangers of war in this hypersonic age, will Richard step into his high calling in time? When the weight of Eternity falls on Richard's work, will he make it? Welcome to this epic of squandered potentials and wasted promises. Just remember, making Heaven is hard, barely making Heaven is even harder. This, angels and demons both agree.
Sumac Rasch, the author, is a fan of C.S. Lewis and a Christian saved by Jesus. This penname is inspired by two facts. First, Mr. Lewis was a medieval literature scholar; thus, the author chose this name, which is exotic-sounding and thoroughly medieval. Second, the author did suffer a real poison ivy or sumac rash outbreak when the rough draft of this book was near completion. The writing started before a visit to England in 2019, when the author realized that most of Mr. Lewis' works are more than 60 years old, and much of the message needs to be repeated through a newer voice. Thus, Malphas Memo: How to Barely Make Heaven, an American and contemporary parody of The Screwtape Letters, was written to prove that mere Conservatism and religiosity save no one, let alone the United States of America.
