"This magnificent book is a modern "Homeric epic" written on several levels . . . designs within designs within designs. While it is a highly plausible vision of the post-"Unraveling", it also propels the reader into a deep search for better alternatives."
Paul
The story draws you in with subtlety and nuance. . . a great mixing of beauty and terror. The humanity and tenderness of the main characters is highlighted and tested by horrible events that unfold as they make their way overland across the world. The book is a quest to follow the open--often broken--heart in a world that has fallen apart. For me, the "unraveling" seems all too possible in our unstable world! It's important to think about what I would sacrifice for the greater good of others. Highly recommended!
JamesA
"I found this book to be heartfelt, well-written, and beautifully drawn. It reminded me of some post-apocalyptical works of Cormac McCarthy, Denis Johnson and Margaret Atwood, and like those books, resonated with plausability, which make the story all the more poignant.I'm a tough and sometimes critical customer, but I thoroughly enjoyed this read."
Matt S.
"Simply reading the opening paragragh had me fully engaged! Thanks so much for such a special treat. Your language painted powerful images in my mind that I have carried around for days. I can usually anticipate the end of most books by about a third of the way through. This was a delightful surprise."
C Tower
I found this a compelling read, which held my interest on at least three levels. One - a great story: imaginative yet believable, very will written. Two - human values and attitudes: you can't go wrong living your beliefs or by accepting the 'happening' of life. Three - community governance: through interesting stories and situations, we see how some structures work well and some definitely don't.
Should be on the best seller's list!
Hart Jansson
I struggled at first to understand the violence in the book, but I began to see Zhampa's struggles as trying to live non-violently in a violent world. As a complex character, he didn't have "the answer" and tried a variety of ways to accomplish this task. That resonated strongly with me, as I feel a similar need - and indeed, believe that is a primary task that all must face if we are not to annihilate ourselves. I really appreciated this facet of the book!
Anonymous
The story describes all of us who share the desire to make sense of and make right this existence. It hit a vein personally for me as I'm sure it will with all readers. Thanks, Tom, for putting it into words we all can understand.
Stan O
The story describes all of us who share the desire to make sense of and make right this existence. It hit a vein personally for me as I'm sure it will with all readers. Thanks, Tom, for putting it into words we all can understand.
Stan O
Notwithstanding that I am a fond acquaintance of the author, I found this book to be heartfelt, well-written, and beatuifully drawn. It reminded me of some post-apocalyptical works of Cormac McCarthy, Denis Johnson and Margaret Atwood, and like those books, resonated with plausability, which make the story all the more poignant.I'm a tough and sometimes critical customer, but I thoroughly enjoyed this read.
ReplyDeleteA satisyfying read! The story unfolds naturally and provokes thoughts about human nature and society while offering insight into human character. High quality prose makes for a fluid and intiguing read. The time invested with this book was well invested, bring returns of insight and pleasure.
ReplyDeleteThis book effected me deeply. I took a long trip with Zampa, living through him. His hidden mission was extremely powerful for me - it felt like a book of discovery, pulling the reader along unawares, engaged, but many life layers to investigate along side the sympathetic lead characters. Enjoyable, refreshing, stimulating. A good read, but not an easy one all the time, which made it even more worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteThis magnificent book is a modern "Homeric epic" written on several levels. Zhampa's life quest for atonement is the story, but the powerful moral and philosophical subtexts are skillfully woven into the underlying fabric. Although you might be able to read and appreciate the beautifully poignant "surface story" without being "drawn in", you eventually DO get drawn in and find it necessary to re-read the book - at least once. Like a finely woven fabric there are designs within designs within designs. While it is a highly plausible well-crafted vision of the post-"Unraveling" it also propels the reader into a deep search for better alternatives.
ReplyDeleteHi Tom,
ReplyDeleteSimply reading the opening sentence had me fully engaged! Thanks so much for such a special treat. Your language painted powerful images in my mind that I have carried around for days.
I can usually anticipate the end of most books by about a third of the way through. This was a delightful surprise.
I passed my copy to a friend in Leverret, MA who was one of the founders of the Peace Pagoda in Leverret. The book was handed to me by Jenny (my roommate). She delivered payment in person.
I look forward to meeting you one day.
Cate
I found this a compelling read, which held my interest on at least three levels. One - a great story: imaginative yet believable, very will written. Two - human values and attitudes: you can't go wrong living your beliefs or by accepting the 'happening' of life. Three - community governance: through interesting stories and situations, we see how some structures work well and some definitely don't.
ReplyDeleteShoudl be on the best seller's list!
Hi Tom,
ReplyDeleteI started off reading the book and at first was disturbed and confused. There were a number of violent acts early on, and it was unclear whether they were being condoned or not in the narrative. I was reading right before I went to sleep, and found that this was not a relaxing read. So, I put aside some time to read one day. It took a bit of time to get into the rhythm of the book, but soon I became engrossed. I found myself reflecting on the section I had just read, relating it to my own life and deepening my understanding of myself and my path. I was deeply moved by the paradox of the journey and what it took from and for Zhampa to complete it.
I struggled at first to understand the violence in the book, but I began to see Zhampa's struggles as trying to live non-violently in a violent world. As a complex character, he didn't have "the answer" and tried a variety of ways to accomplish this task. That resonated strongly with me, as I feel a similar need - and indeed, believe that is a primary task that all must face if we are not to annihilate ourselves. I really appreciated this facet of the book!
ReplyDeleteThe story describes all of us who share the desire to make sense of and make right this existence. It hit a vein personally for me as I'm sure it will with all readers. Thenks, Tom, for putting it into words we all can understand.
ReplyDeleteThe story draws you in with each chapter with subtlety and nuance. Right from the start the reader knows that a deep and moving character study and story are just waiting to be revealed. Pope does a great job mixing beauty and terror. The humanity and tenderness of the main characters is highlighted and tested against the by the horrible events that unfold as they make their way overland across the world. The book is an adventure, really a quest, to follow the open, often broken heart in a world that has really fallen apart. It's such a touching story. I could tell the attention that each moment of the story received from the author. For me, the "unraveling" seems all too possible, in our unstable world! It's important to think about what I would sacrifice, for the greater good of others. Highly recomended!
ReplyDelete