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I was born in Seattle, WA in 1984, and raised in a religious cult-'The Moonies.'
At 17, I joined the Army, as my mother was a single parent with five kids, and we had no means to pay for college. I was sent to Iraq soon after the events of September 11 and participated in the Iraqi elections of 2004.
I was disillusioned with my service, so I joined the Peace Corps after my military contract ended, and was sent to Ukraine.
Overall, I have been guided by a sense of adventure, a search for meaning, and a yearning to assuage a sense of loneliness that has followed me since my father's death at the age of 14. This has led to an incredible story that I need to share with others.
Eventually, I met and married a Brazillian woman and, during my two years of living in Sao Paulo Brazil, I forced myself to sit at a local cafe every night and continue writing until this book's completion.
I am extremely proud of the result, and everyone has enjoyed reading the story as much as I have enjoyed writing it. I hope you will too!
Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite
Covet the Chaos by Caleb Shawn Sully weaves a riveting narrative that bridges the chasm between the violence of war and the quest for peace. This literary fiction novel, based on a true story, paints a vivid portrait of a soldier’s tumultuous journey from the battlefields of Iraq to the quieter, yet no less complex, landscape of a Ukrainian village. The protagonist's transition from a soldier in Iraq to a Peace Corps volunteer in Ukraine is not simply a change of scenery but a profound personal transformation. Sully portrays the protagonist's internal battles and interactions with the people he meets. Katya, Sgt. Ramsey, and Private Dooley (my favorite) add depth and dimension to the narrative.
When I read the logline, I knew I had to read this book, and Covet the Chaos exceeded my expectations. The novel excels in depicting the Ukrainian village, capturing its post-Soviet charm and the subtle intricacies of its culture. Caleb Shawn Sully doesn’t skimp on descriptiveness and presents much historical accuracy. The contrast between war-torn Iraq and the serene yet politically tense Ukrainian landscape underscores the quest for meaning and redemption. Sully has crafted a novel that is as thought-provoking as it is heartfelt, and it’s a must-read for those who appreciate literary fiction that explores the human condition with grace and insight. It’s timely, compelling, and realistic. Adult readers who enjoy stories about war, Ukraine, history, the post-Soviet world, biographical historical fiction, or action and adventure will want to read Sully’s novel—it does not disappoint. I highly recommend Covet the Chaos.
