Customer Reviews

Deepak Chopra's The Angel is Near: A Novel

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in angels, spiritual development or the attainment of your hearts desires. Throughout this novel, the reader observes the infinite choices the characters are confronted with each moment. As the vivid characters in the story, we see that our own personal dramas unfold according to the choices we make.

As we slowly wake up to this fact and begin paying attention to the deep inner wisdom which is always softly whispering, we experience magic; wonderful outcomes which we could never have imagined.

From the first chapter, as my attention turned more to angels and spirit, my perception changed and my routine experiences shifted as well. As routine "breakdowns" occur around me I notice myself asking about the nature of this particular "miracle"; looking deeper until I see the truth. Words I may have used in the past (like "problem") are simply MY words, not reality. Not God's words. While watching the rippling effect this perception is having on the people around me, I need to say this: Read this book! Or get your hands on anything by this author! And start watching for miracles.

My curiosity was peaked as I settled in with this book. I didn't plan on spending my entire day off reading, but one thing lead to another. "Just one more chapter", I kept telling myself. In the late evening, after reading the last page, I found myself going back through the book, ear-marking the "The Angel's Voice" segments with little post-its. I've been re-reading one section a day for the last week.

As I began the book, I carefully evaluated the spiritual lessons almost like challenges, testing what the author was saying with my own interpretation of reality. As one insight lead to another, I noticed even more curiosity building. I continued to read, and found myself trusting instead of challenging, comforted by the ring of truth; as though I was remembering, not learning for the first time.

The lessons are both simple and profound, evoking questions and answers at the same time. In the end, whatever I say about this book will not quite be it. Because what I had was an experience, which always turns out to be beyond description.

Undoubtedly my insights moved me in the direction of higher spiritual awareness. And yes, I have found myself recommending this book to co-workers and friends. My daily conversations keep coming around to one or more aspects of the basic questions addressed in this book.

Every once in a while Deepak Chopra chooses to send his message through a work of fiction. The Angel Is Near takes us into a world that he has not really talked much about: the existence of angels and what they have to tell us. In this novel a brilliant mysterious light is captured by the U.S.Army in Kosovo and transported to a secret base in New Mexico to determine if it is an alien intelligence or just some strange physical phenomenon. The story centers on how this light reveals itself to be an angel. The plot is a chase across country as the forces which would learn from the angel are arrayed against those that would destroy it. But the real point is a parable about how we human beings look as seen from an angel's perspective. There are miracles along the way but also temptations, humor as well as healing. All in all, an enjoyable, well-written tale, but also a nice, deft way for Chopra to send the reader a great deal of uplifting information about the state of the soul and the ways we can learn to turn to the light as our guide.

I make it a point to read as many of Deepak Chopra's books as possible. This novel was a wonderful surprise, so soon after How to Know God. The collaboration between Chopra and Greenberg worked very well with its intriguing plot and vast array of interesting characters. I was entertained, curious and inspired as I moved quickly from page to page. So many of us are seeking to move in a higher, more positive direction, I believe that presenting these valuable messages in novel form will allow for an expanded audience with increased positive impact.

While Deepak Chopra is an icon as a spiritual leader, he is fast earning his wings as more than an author of advisory works, but as a creative literary force.

I found this to be true when I read his first novel, "The Return of Merlin." While I enjoy his other, more scholarly works, I have secretly longed for him to release another fascinating page-turner.

In this book he has, once again, taken his readers on a journey of both spirit and imagination.

He and Martin Greenberg have struck a unique balance between the worlds of literature, science and spirituality and come up with a novel that is exciting and enjoyable.

The "Angel is Near" makes the heart beat a little quicker, the mental wheels spin at a higher rate and blows a clean wind through the dusty corners of the soul.

I liked The Angel is Near so much that I am now writing my first book review. I am a high school senior who used to get good grades but hasn't done that well for the past two years. I have done okay in school, but have gotten by mostly on luck because my attention has been on having fun. I don't consider myself a follower, but when I think about it, I know I listen to my friends more than I listen to my heart.

Through this book, I have learned how to get quiet, ask the angels and listen. I began wondering what improvements I could make in my life if I made a regular practice of listening to the "Angel's Voice" like in the book. I have tried to see how many times each day I could listen for angels. Now I am asking the purpose of my life.

My mother knows I love angels so she gave me this book and is really happy that I read it. I am happy because I don't feel scared when I remember the angels. Whenever I want I can get quiet and feel their love. I can also show love to others. None of us have to feel alone or afraid. We only have to be ready to accept the angels. I believe in angels and I'd like to be one. I know I have a long way to go, but I know if I really listen, I'll get closer and closer.

This novel is a unique combination of mystery and adventure with spiritual messages inter-woven at regular intervals. Although I normally choose spiritual books written in the straight style that Dr. Chopra usually uses, I found this book appealing and reassuring, generating a message of hope and clarity. The "angel voice" is an invitation to the reader to banish doubt and see themselves in the light. I believe that any medium which provides such an opportunity should be gratefully embraced and accepted, for the sake of humankind. Read this one and pass it along!

It amazes me that I am the only person who decided to write a review after 5 years--all previous reviews are from 2000 and no one has reviewed this book since. I must say that this book came to me at the right time in my life. It has made a profound change in how I look at EVERYTHING. Perhaps timing is the key--it may have been published before most people could really grasp what the message really is (before 9-11, ground zero). I discovered this book in my library and almost gave it away, but upon reading it I found I couldn't put it down.

The truth is, not everyone will get this book because it goes to a place that makes you responsible for your own choices. It's "out there" in ways most people don't want to visit. That's the whole message. Like any review, take it with a grain of salt, read it for your self--no one can really tell you what you will get from it. If you like Deepak, OK, read it. If you like the title, OK read it. It doesn't matter one way or the other--you'll realize the effort will be rewarded one way or the other. If you were drawn to the book to begin with, there's a reason for you to read it....

Our office staff gratefully follows the insightful work of Deepak Chopra. We've been reading and sharing about this book since its release in August. We have all noticed profound shifts in our relationships with one another as well as in our professional results, through our conversations of the spiritual lessons in this book.

We have experienced the impact that these lessons and conversations have had on our lives and look forward to sharing the book with even more friends and family. Expanding spiritual awareness is a blessing for individuals and communities alike.

I found this most recent work of Dr. Chopra's to be very inspiring. I have always enjoyed his books and tapes and was looking forward to more after "How to Know God", in February. The blessing of listening for and hearing angel voices is a precious gift, not to be missed or taken lightly. The lessons in this book are valuable for any reader.