The major reason for writing Community Spirits was that I was taken by surprise one day when, looking over the list of Balona Books, I discovered there was no ghost story, no hauntings. Well, there are supernatural things in the Balona literature, like Joseph Kuhl's ambition to become a commander in the British Secret Intelligence Service, but there were no actual ghost stories. That was a problem that needed fixing.
Then, too, I had never written about a goat or about someone like Alferd Packer. Mr. Packer was an actual person, a resident of Colorado a few years ago whose main claim to fame was his taste for human flesh. I thought Balonans would enjoy him. Or that he might enjoy them, one way or another. I enjoy reading about cannibals, especially if they are like Hannibal Lecter--literary figures or else locked away, not really nearby. I believe that Doctor Packer is rather refined, not aggressive at all. One must assume that he flosses regularly.
Another reason for my interest in cannibals is that there is a famous Australian named Pearce who is alleged to have had several of his fellow men for lunch. Like other folk who use malls and depilatories and soft drinks, most Australians also prefer mutton and veggies and did not take kindly to Pearce's tastes.
But Doctor Packer was right for Balona, don't you agree? Too bad he doesn't get to stick around for Mayor Burberry's homecoming.
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