Novel turn for history buff

Modern Mary and Joseph story

Canterbury historian Paul Crampton is best-known for his incredible knowledge of the city’s past.

But he also loves writing and has just penned a new novel dubbed a “modern day Mary and Joseph story”.

Called The Dream Messiah, it is story about two unrelated youngsters – one Christian and the other Muslim – who begin to realise they share a destiny which has the potential to change the world.

Paul, 58, who lives in Upper Harbledown, said: “This book is my reaction to 9/11 and is a modern day Mary and Joseph story set in contemporary London.

“I’m not a particularly religious guy and I didn’t know much about Islam before 9/11, but when I started to find out more, I realised there is not much difference between Christianity, Islam and Judaism.

“Rather than concentrate on the differences and evils between the religions, the book looks more on the positives that you can find between them.”

The topic is a far cry from what Paul is used to, having published almost 20 different works on the history of Canterbury.

The Dream Messiah will launch on Thursday, March 24, at 6.30pm at Waterstones in St Margaret’s Street, Canterbury.

Fellow Canterbury author Stuart Hutchinson is also launching his new thriller, A Loaded Gun.