Better Angel

Better Angel, a novel by Forman Brown, was originally published in 1933 using the pseudonym Richard Meeker. It was republished as Torment in 1951, maintaining the pseudonym. In 1987, Alyson Publications reprinted Better Angel under the assumption the author was no longer living. After being notified about the publication from a friend, Forman went to A Different Light bookstore to purchase a copy. "It's a very good book, well written," the person at the shop told Forman, "I think you'll like it." "I hope so," responded Forman, "I wrote it!" Forman was subsequently put in touch with the publishers and in 1990, nearly 60 years after first being published, Better Angel was released with Forman listed as the author instead of a pseudonym. Of the unexpected turn of events, Forman would comment, "I think the most rewarding thing that has happened to me has been the rediscovery of Better Angel, and the realization that its message of hope-or the possibility of hope-is still pertinent and as warming as it proved 60 years ago."