“Shepherd Lee” describes the extraordinary account of the protagonist’s soul. Shepherd lee, who has recently died, assumes a spiritual form bound to the earth. Unlike other souls, Shepherd Lee is yet to move to the spiritual realm. Lee feels discontent with his previous life. He believes that he never got the chance to experience happiness.
As the novel opens up, Lee accidentally assumes the body of his recently deceased friend. As the story progresses, Lee intentionally jumps from one body to another assuming various traits and temporary roles in his host’s life. After abandoning his friend’s body, Lee becomes a squire, a womanizer, a money lender, a wealthy man and even a Virginian slave. With each host, Lee experiences diverse habits, tastes, beliefs and social status.
When moving from one body to the other, Lee examines his host’s body and mind. He equally relates the host’s ideas to the surrounding environment. For instance, after he assumes the body of a slave, Lee understands the suffering endured by these men and women. With the diverse characters, Lee showcases the different views people have on the world. His search for happiness ends with the realization that joy is in every action an individual takes whether painful or gratifying. Living is happiness.
