By MELISSA WALKER

Staff Writer

The bookstore now has a new novel to add to its shelves.

Dr. Lloyd Halliburton, a professor of foreign languages, recently published his third novel, "The Duende," with plans of a theater adaptation.

"This [book] is my newest baby so I am excited about it," Halliburton said. "I think it might be my best one. Time will tell."

Set in the early 1960s in Panama, Halliburton's newest creation follows the journey of the Partido del Pueblo, the Communist party, and their attempt to launch a revolution. In the novel, a rich, bitter politician and his aide, a widow, her gigolo, a model and a young American emigrant come together to form a plot that addresses the concept of human nature.

"People react as humans," Halliburton said. "Otherwise, [readers] are dealing with stickmen, robots. I wanted people."

He said his characters and the plot cater to an adult audience.

"There is sex in it, but it is not something that belongs in the pink shop," Halliburton said, referring to the adult store located in Ruston that was closed last year.

Although Halliburton said the novel lacks a pornographic nature, he does not recommend it for children.

"Children are better off with Sponge Bob," Halliburton said.

He said his adult-friendly novel's setting and characters can be explained by an accumulation of people and experience.

"I lived in Panama for a year," Halliburton said. "It made me familiar with the hate many countries have for us. When you are powerful, people resent you."

Halliburton's controversial setting has caught the eye of independent stage actor Robert Elliot, who is interested in working with Halliburton on a stage adaptation in late May.

Halliburton has also been contacted by the theatre department which may be interested in performing the play in the future.

His stage adaptation will contribute to the growing collection of the seven books Halliburton has authored.

His publications include the history of Colombian poetry, the American Civil War and critical biographical studies of John William Corrington, Hart Crane, Ernest Hemingway, Federico Garcia Lorca, John Dos Passos and Eric Maria Remarque.

Halliburton said he prefers diversity in his writing.

"I don't like to get in a rut," Halliburton said. "I like to write something for awhile and switch to a different genre.

"It's like eating the same meal every day and never varying. We are creatures of habit, but we have more than one habit."

Jennifer McHenry, a freshman nursing major, said she enjoys suspenseful novels that maintain readers' attention.

"I like novels when they are well written and you don't know what is going to happen next," McHenry said. "I am interested in learning more about Dr. Halliburton's book. It would give me something to do on the weekend."

Christina Burson, a junior medical technology major, said she would also be interested in the story behind the novel.

"I would prefer a play to a book," Burson said.

"It would be better to see it visually than to just read it." Burson said she was interested in the book because she had never heard of such a novel.

Halliburton said he is not anticipating how well his numerous published books will do.

"I don't write a book with expectations," he said. "I write it to please me. Any artist must please his or herself."