A thought-provoking, journey of fantasy, through the experiences of a new writer that has moved back to the mountains of Upstate New York with his wife. He encounters a spirit who has passed over, and together, they touch upon many issues and beliefs of society and the concerns thereof; those that weigh so heavily upon their minds. Often controversial, at times extremely passionate, and usually very captivating, this work exudes food for thought that "Magickally" keys forth a possible spirtual awakening for those yearning to grow and learn. The opinions and beliefs presented within, may or may not be similar to those of the reader~ however it will provoke the reader to think about what is said. The author believes this to be a "channeled" work, as much that is wriiten, he believes to have received form the "powers that be."
Browse the best books of summer including blockbusters, beach reads, and editors' picks in our Summer Reading Store. |
Book Description
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
Customer Reviews
Share your thoughts with other customers
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
As Above~So Below by Jeffrey M Borowski is a novel about a pagan couple, Jeffrey and his wife, Brenda, who move to a new home in a town they moved away from in the past. In the home, Jeffery encounters a ghost which he speaks with about improving himself and spreading that knowledge of improvement to others.
I unfortunately did not enjoy this novel but others might. I feel it needs a lot of work, and the author is marketing incorrectly. The book is being marketed as fiction, but I don't feel this book is fiction. It is more like nonfiction in the categories of autobiography and self-help. The main characters of the novel are named after the author and his wife. The book details their everyday life and the personal thoughts and beliefs of the author. Not in itself a bad thing, but not what I'm looking for in a fiction book. The main character breaks character a lot in the book, for instance, on page 14 it says, "As I'm sure that you noticed in chapter one," In most fiction, a character doesn't know they are part of a book and refer to past chapters. Nonfiction would do that.
When I first received the novel, I read the front, the back, the description of the book on Amazon, and still couldn't get a clear idea as to what this book was about. Under normal circumstances, if I can't tell what a book is about, I skip it, but this book was sent to me for review. A friend of mine saw the title and said it was a pagan saying. I was unaware of this and so may many other readers. The front cover or back cover may need more info so non-pagan readers know what they are getting and may be more willing to buy.
I opened the book to start reading (I was given a physical book for review) and noticed right away that it was formatted incorrectly for fiction. The paragraphs are not indented, and character dialog is not separated and indented. This makes it confusing to tell when a new paragraph starts and to tell which character is speaking. It is common in nonfiction for paragraphs not to be indented and spaces used instead, but not in fiction. The novel also uses this symbol ~ and this symbol > a lot throughout for no real reason. There are other instances of improper punctuation such as * being used in place of a degree symbol.
Once I started reading, I noticed many passages are wordy and hard to follow and need to be edited. For example, on page 3, "When I was so far from it, who may have been experiencing a memorable moment by it, perhaps because of, or involving it?" This sentence is hard to figure out. Weak words such as very, just, was, were, and -ly words are also overused. What bothers me most is the author is aware the novel needs work and writes an apology at the beginning of the book instead of editing it. In the preface it says, "Please allow the story to unfold, and bear with the style of the younger soul's deliverance in the early chapters...
It was designed to be completed as the knowledge attained." It goes on about the odd punctuation and spelling of words. To me, it is an excuse not to edit and put the book out before it was ready.
There is no real plot in this book. The couple moves to a new house. A ghost appears to Jeffrey, and they have conversations about tolerance and improving the world. The rest of the book is the everyday lives of the couple. The main character complains about Christians a lot and preaches how they should be more open minded, while pedaling pagan beliefs. After all those messages of tolerance, the main character goes on to bash rich people for being rich, to bash boxers for boxing, and to bash people for sticking to the beliefs they grew up with. Rich people aren't bad because they like silk sheets. I find this very ironic because at the same time he is preaching tolerance of pagans. Maybe the point of the book was that the main character grew from this closed-minded way of thinking thanks to the ghost, but that's not what I got.
The last thing I didn't like about this novel, the Mary Sue aspect. A Mary Sue in books is a fictional character with overly idealized and hackneyed mannerisms, lacking noteworthy flaws, and primarily functioning as a wish-fulfillment fantasy for the author. The main character idealizing himself as being better than everyone else and being enlightened. Then the parts where the main character is showing off how much money his books are bringing in bragging about the amount of each check. Wishful thinking maybe.
I wanted to end this review on a positive note, so I saved what I liked for last. Two things, the first is there are some really well written passages of description. You can check the book out for those. The second, a message of tolerance of those different from us is always good. I wish the message was presented better in a less preachy and obvious way and then contradicted in later passages. If this novel was rewritten as an actual piece of fiction, maybe it would work, but the way it is written now, I can't recommend it.
I unfortunately did not enjoy this novel but others might. I feel it needs a lot of work, and the author is marketing incorrectly. The book is being marketed as fiction, but I don't feel this book is fiction. It is more like nonfiction in the categories of autobiography and self-help. The main characters of the novel are named after the author and his wife. The book details their everyday life and the personal thoughts and beliefs of the author. Not in itself a bad thing, but not what I'm looking for in a fiction book. The main character breaks character a lot in the book, for instance, on page 14 it says, "As I'm sure that you noticed in chapter one," In most fiction, a character doesn't know they are part of a book and refer to past chapters. Nonfiction would do that.
When I first received the novel, I read the front, the back, the description of the book on Amazon, and still couldn't get a clear idea as to what this book was about. Under normal circumstances, if I can't tell what a book is about, I skip it, but this book was sent to me for review. A friend of mine saw the title and said it was a pagan saying. I was unaware of this and so may many other readers. The front cover or back cover may need more info so non-pagan readers know what they are getting and may be more willing to buy.
I opened the book to start reading (I was given a physical book for review) and noticed right away that it was formatted incorrectly for fiction. The paragraphs are not indented, and character dialog is not separated and indented. This makes it confusing to tell when a new paragraph starts and to tell which character is speaking. It is common in nonfiction for paragraphs not to be indented and spaces used instead, but not in fiction. The novel also uses this symbol ~ and this symbol > a lot throughout for no real reason. There are other instances of improper punctuation such as * being used in place of a degree symbol.
Once I started reading, I noticed many passages are wordy and hard to follow and need to be edited. For example, on page 3, "When I was so far from it, who may have been experiencing a memorable moment by it, perhaps because of, or involving it?" This sentence is hard to figure out. Weak words such as very, just, was, were, and -ly words are also overused. What bothers me most is the author is aware the novel needs work and writes an apology at the beginning of the book instead of editing it. In the preface it says, "Please allow the story to unfold, and bear with the style of the younger soul's deliverance in the early chapters...
It was designed to be completed as the knowledge attained." It goes on about the odd punctuation and spelling of words. To me, it is an excuse not to edit and put the book out before it was ready.
There is no real plot in this book. The couple moves to a new house. A ghost appears to Jeffrey, and they have conversations about tolerance and improving the world. The rest of the book is the everyday lives of the couple. The main character complains about Christians a lot and preaches how they should be more open minded, while pedaling pagan beliefs. After all those messages of tolerance, the main character goes on to bash rich people for being rich, to bash boxers for boxing, and to bash people for sticking to the beliefs they grew up with. Rich people aren't bad because they like silk sheets. I find this very ironic because at the same time he is preaching tolerance of pagans. Maybe the point of the book was that the main character grew from this closed-minded way of thinking thanks to the ghost, but that's not what I got.
The last thing I didn't like about this novel, the Mary Sue aspect. A Mary Sue in books is a fictional character with overly idealized and hackneyed mannerisms, lacking noteworthy flaws, and primarily functioning as a wish-fulfillment fantasy for the author. The main character idealizing himself as being better than everyone else and being enlightened. Then the parts where the main character is showing off how much money his books are bringing in bragging about the amount of each check. Wishful thinking maybe.
I wanted to end this review on a positive note, so I saved what I liked for last. Two things, the first is there are some really well written passages of description. You can check the book out for those. The second, a message of tolerance of those different from us is always good. I wish the message was presented better in a less preachy and obvious way and then contradicted in later passages. If this novel was rewritten as an actual piece of fiction, maybe it would work, but the way it is written now, I can't recommend it.
Book Title: As Above~So Below: A Channeled, Assisted, Unfolding Story
Author: Jeffrey M. Borowski
Publisher: lulu.com
ISBN: 9781105597770
Reviewed by Michele Tater for The Couch Tater Review
"Believe nothing merely because you have been told it. Do not believe what your teacher tells you merely out of respect for the teacher. But whatsoever, after due examination and analysis, you find to be kind, conductive to the good, the benefit, the welfare of all beings--that doctrine believe and cling on to, and take it as your guide." ~The Buddha
After living in dry and hot Phoenix, Arizona for sometime, Jeff and Brenda find themselves living in Upstate New York. Its an older house than what they are used to, but they love it just the same. Even with the occasional visit from their "ghost" friend who wants to bestow on to them the knowledge and wisdom he has learned and is still learning. Jeff takes a instant liking to this mysterious friend and listens intently to his telling words.
I would describe with book as having a big helping of self-help adages, with a dash kind-of a memoir feeling, with a sprinkle of the supernatural. Although there is no real plot, there is a story that is told. It is filled with gifts of wisdom from a 50+ gentleman, who urges the reader to question everything open minded and not to except things as they. He shows how to take life that is around us in--seasons, weather, people, etc. Also that our experiences do mold us into who we are and who we are to be. I found that the book had a very laid back way of helping someone, maybe, finding his/her way.
I could relate with a lot of the book's descriptions about the wonderful weather we have in upstate New York, how we have the "best" football team ever until the season starts and how gravy with French fries is a normal main or side dish.
Author: Jeffrey M. Borowski
Publisher: lulu.com
ISBN: 9781105597770
Reviewed by Michele Tater for The Couch Tater Review
"Believe nothing merely because you have been told it. Do not believe what your teacher tells you merely out of respect for the teacher. But whatsoever, after due examination and analysis, you find to be kind, conductive to the good, the benefit, the welfare of all beings--that doctrine believe and cling on to, and take it as your guide." ~The Buddha
After living in dry and hot Phoenix, Arizona for sometime, Jeff and Brenda find themselves living in Upstate New York. Its an older house than what they are used to, but they love it just the same. Even with the occasional visit from their "ghost" friend who wants to bestow on to them the knowledge and wisdom he has learned and is still learning. Jeff takes a instant liking to this mysterious friend and listens intently to his telling words.
I would describe with book as having a big helping of self-help adages, with a dash kind-of a memoir feeling, with a sprinkle of the supernatural. Although there is no real plot, there is a story that is told. It is filled with gifts of wisdom from a 50+ gentleman, who urges the reader to question everything open minded and not to except things as they. He shows how to take life that is around us in--seasons, weather, people, etc. Also that our experiences do mold us into who we are and who we are to be. I found that the book had a very laid back way of helping someone, maybe, finding his/her way.
I could relate with a lot of the book's descriptions about the wonderful weather we have in upstate New York, how we have the "best" football team ever until the season starts and how gravy with French fries is a normal main or side dish.
0 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
As Above ~ So Below: AChanneled, Assisted, Unfolding Story by Jeffrey M. Borowski
July 19, 2012
Jeff and Brenda Borowski move back to Upstate New York after living in the desert of Arizona for years. In acclimating to the different weather and the old home they now own, they learn how to just be. With the help of some deep thoughts and soul searching, they feel as if they are in the best place they could be. It's an emotional, fault- facing journey for Jeff but he does take the steps to reach his next "goal".
This book will mean different things to each person who reads it but I'm certain everyone will take away something wonderful from it. I found this to be thought - provoking, intelligent, down-to-earth and full of common sense. I highly recommend this book to everyone. Open your mind, heart and eyes while reading this book.
I found no issues.
I gave this one 5 out of 5 books because it teaches ideas we should already have.
~Copy of book provided by author in exchange for a fair review~
This book will mean different things to each person who reads it but I'm certain everyone will take away something wonderful from it. I found this to be thought - provoking, intelligent, down-to-earth and full of common sense. I highly recommend this book to everyone. Open your mind, heart and eyes while reading this book.
I found no issues.
I gave this one 5 out of 5 books because it teaches ideas we should already have.
~Copy of book provided by author in exchange for a fair review~
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
