When God Returns: Aaron Asadi’s Hilarious Take in ‘Ohmigod!’

In a world where the routine is comforting and the predictable is preferred, Aaron Asadi’s latest book, “Ohmigod!” introduces us to Sam Dalton, a man whose greatest adversary is change. This darkly comedic tale weaves through the life of a reluctant hero who finds his daily monotony interrupted by no less than a divine intervention. Asadi’s unique voice—a blend of humor and existential dread—makes this novel a captivating exploration of human resistance to the unexpected.

When the Almighty Returns

It’s just another Tuesday for Sam Dalton. His garden is getting a makeover, and his schedule is packed with mundane tasks that suit his quiet life. However, the day takes a surreal turn when God decides to make a grand re-entrance to Earth. Sam, a character who could very well be autistic and definitely dislikes change, finds himself grappling with a reality that suddenly includes a very Old Testament-like God causing global uproar.

This isn’t just about the theological shockwaves or the societal upheaval that ensues. For Sam, the return of God is an inconvenient disruption to his carefully structured life. From worrying about how this divine visit might affect garbage collection day to the overwhelming notion of interacting with new people stirred up by God’s appearance, Sam’s concerns are deeply personal and profoundly relatable.

Media, Governments, and the Local Town Crier

As the presence of the Almighty sends shockwaves through the media and governments, local townspeople are left to adapt to this new, biblical reality. The novel cleverly uses these elements to create a tapestry of chaos, viewed through the lens of Sam’s exceedingly ordinary life. Aaron Asadi, with a career in consumer media and a knack for storytelling, crafts scenes that are both uproarious and thought-provoking, challenging the reader to consider how they would handle such unfathomable change.

The societal transformations that unfold are mirrored by Sam’s internal struggle. The book serves as a dark comedy that not only entertains but also reflects deeper questions about faith, existence, and the human condition. Sam’s journey from a homebody to someone who must confront the literal and metaphorical messiah is filled with irony and wit.

A Story of Personal Revelation

“Ohmigod!” is more than just a whimsical exploration of a divine comeback. It is a narrative about facing the inevitable shifts in life and finding purpose amidst chaos. For Sam, the return of God forces a reevaluation of what truly matters. Amidst the external pandemonium, his internal world undergoes its own form of apocalypse.

Aaron Asadi infuses his personal journey into the storyline. Raised Catholic and now an atheist, Asadi brings authenticity and personal philosophy to the fore, inviting readers into his exploration of faith and skepticism. His self-deprecating humor and candid admission of being a “noticeable fool” due to his height add layers of humility and charm to his writing.

In conclusion, “Ohmigod!” offers a quirky, reflective, and thoroughly engaging tale of how one man’s life is turned upside down by the most unexpected visitor imaginable. Asadi’s narrative promises to resonate with anyone who has ever dreaded change or contemplated the bigger questions in life. It’s a must-read for those who enjoy their existential crises with a side of humor, proving that sometimes, the biggest revelations come from the most surprising disruptions.

 

We had the pleasure of interviewing the author. Here are the excerpts from the interview:

Hi, It’s great to have you with us today! Please introduce yourself and tell us what you do.

I’m Aaron. Here are some interesting facts about me:

I once fit a whole pack of Jaffa Cakes in my mouth. Before then, I was living in the southwest of England. And since. 

I’ve had a twenty-something-year career in consumer media, most notably as an exec at Future. I have, at one time or another, ran most of the biggest print and online brands there. It was all very successful, but such is the way of business; one is never sure how much they really had to do with any of it. I suppose some people are more sure than others, but I don’t know how they can be. Perhaps they had the right amount of hugs as a child. Or too many. Definitely not too few, I suspect.

Anyway, I have always enjoyed writing. I like how words sneak into your brain from the page or screen and sometimes do something unexpected. Zebra fish. 

When I was young, my brother and I would talk to each other in the gap between our bunk bed and the wall, plotting stories and casting them. Inventing such things has always been an itch; I couldn’t ever find the time to scratch. But now that I am finally scratching it, the itch is getting worse.

Please tell us about your book. 

I was raised Catholic and eventually became an atheist through no fault of my own. And the arguments surrounding these things grip me. One day, I had this idea for a story about God coming back to Earth and being very Old Testament about it. It was a struggle initially because I was trying to write from different perspectives, but I eventually asked myself the question, “but what would it be like for me?”. It was much easier then. 

It’s a story about a man who is very adverse to change, is quite probably autistic, and who has no real purpose in his life other than carrying on his depressing routines. So when God comes down and starts doing his thing, Sam, the hero of the book, starts to worry how bin days, shopping, and dealing with new people are going to change. But, as is often the case, there’s only so much you can control, and eventually, there is no escaping what’s going on. 

So, in short, God comes down, tedious, mad, and tries to keep his sham of a life together. Oh, and it’s called Ohmigod!.

Please tell us about your journey.

Writing the book has been fun. I suppose it lived in my head for a while before my fingertips tapped keys. But while it gestated, lots of videos were watched about God and beliefs, lots of neurodivergent articles were read, and the notion of free will existing was explored.

And that last point is definitely a theme in the book. I have been really taken with this idea from Dr Robert Sapolsky that in truth we are just biological robots and not actually making a choice to do anything, however much it might feel like that. This idea that people are trapped by themselves and their instilled beliefs, genetics, and experiences is really compelling, I think.

Once I was able to satisfy myself that these ideas were well represented in the plot, it was really just a case of sitting down on speaking on behalf of the characters involved (apart from God, whose words I took from the bible). I have never really had a problem focussing on a task I enjoy – it’s always been more problematic to find the time to do it.

What are the strategies that helped you become successful in your journey?

I certainly haven’t been successful as an author. I don’t suppose I will be. Selling books is hard as it turns out. But I do now feel good that, no matter what, I can say a wrote a thing all on my own. And I guess that was achieved in a few stages:

1. Just being clear about what the plot was going to be, and in some detail.
2. I found a rhythm that suited me (it really took a while to understand when I was more productive during the day).
3. Setting small targets along the way that meant I felt I was on plan and making progress.

Rome was not built in a day, but the laborers involved would certainly have had daily targets to build Rome. 

Any message for our readers?

There is some controversial stuff in this book, and I think some of the more sensational aspects might unnerve folk who hear about it but don’t read it. In truth, though, it is very much about a person’s struggle with the world, about the little panics that define his life no matter what else is going on, and about the low self-esteem so many of us can’t ever seem to escape. Hopefully, people find this funny, too, although I admit the comedy isn’t obvious to anyone who has read this interview.

Thank you so much, Aaron, for giving us your precious time! We wish you all the best for your journey ahead!