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Many Faces to Many Places

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The following review was submitted by: S.V. SWAMY & CLICK TO VIEW S.V. Swamy's Reviews
"Many Faces to Many Places - A Story" by Judy is a
highly readable, philosophical / spiritual fantasy.
Using allegory and symbolism, Judy tells very
eloquently the problem that all of us face at some
time or other in our life. Many Faces is the girl in
this story, who escapes from a witch and goes on a
journey to seek fulfillment. She meets many spirits in
various shapes, sizes and is guided by them. She goes
through a dark spiritual desert of lust, greed etc.,
and comes out successfully. She meets a Veiled Man, a
fatherly figure, full of wisdom and love. When he hugs
her and lifts his veil, he disappears and she finds
that he is no other than her indweller. This book
touched a respondent chord in my heart since Judy's
philosophy is very similar to our eastern philosophy.
I especially liked the easy style of Judy. The
symbolism is not difficult to understand. Her play on
words like Fake (King Ekaf) and False (Maiden Eslaf)
is really insightful. The book makes an interesting
read to young and old alike. The first part can be
read out to children as a fantasy, while the whole
book (which is quite short) will appeal to the
spiritual seeker.
The trick is in living that philosophy. So, Many Faces
had to go to Many Places and go through Many Phases to
discover her true Self! You and I are also going
through such transitions all the time. Intellectual
knowledge has to be absorbed through experience. Once
she discovers that she is One with All and whatever
she is seeing and experiencing outside is but a
manifestation of her inside, she feels at peace since
she now knows true love to one and all.

The book is printed well, but the editing could have
been better. I hope the future editions will take care
of that aspect.

I recommend the book strongly

I usually skim books before reading them just to get an idea of what I'm getting myself into, and after quickly scanning through Judy Azar LeBlanc's "Many Faces to Many Places" I thought I was sitting down to read a book aimed at children. The author presents us with a childlike character named Many Faces who possesses the ability to converse with nature, with everything from trees to water to butterflies. Sure sounds like a children's book, right? Then there's the beginning of the story, a beginning that finds Many Faces escaping from a vicious witch who has held the youngster for an indeterminate amount of time. She breaks out of her confinement because the moon tells her to do so. Hmmm. The kids will probably love this book. It's at this point, however, that one should stop in his or her tracks and prepare to be amazed. For once Many Faces leaves her prison and embarks on a strange journey through a land of "timeless knowledge," the book speaks to the hearts of self-aware adults everywhere. "Many Faces to Many Places" isn't a children's book; it's a dense (not in a negative sense) allegorical story about nothing less than life itself. Most kids wouldn't begin to understand this book, in my opinion.

Many Faces's journey allows her to meet many interesting creatures, including time in the form of a rushing river, a great golden butterfly of happiness named Elusive, a pair of floating eyes called Faith, and an old man known as Pain. She also encounters several ominous characters deep in a cave, characters with names like Greedy, Stingy, and Betrayal that attempt to trap her and keep her from completing her journey. She escapes from their grasp, however, and continues on her way only to run into more trouble in the Land of Forgotten. Here, Many Faces falls prey to the treacherous King Ekaf and his depraved subjects. Now bearing the name Eslaf on the orders of the king, Many Faces must endure years of indignities. The citizens of this realm always wear masks in order to project aspects of their identities. Too, the haves of the kingdom regularly victimize the have-nots. The deities in this world are money and time, and worshippers must kneel daily to statues of these gods. Other activities, best left unsaid here, rapidly turn Many Faces into a jaded, distant young woman. Only after she escapes from King Ekaf and continues her journey does she find the ultimate truth in a conclusion that feels like it came right out of the Bible.

I have mixed feelings about "Many Faces to Many Places." On the one hand, I thought the story wildly and wonderfully imaginative. LeBlanc's ability to encapsulate many of life's experiences, whether they are the ups or the downs we all inevitably face, is phenomenal. It's easy to read a book like this and think, "Oh, I have gone through that. Everyone who has been alive knows all about that." Who among us hasn't dealt with the temptations of greed, stinginess, and betrayal? Who among us hasn't wondered about the elusiveness of happiness? Who among us has never marveled at the passage of time? The difference between Judy Azar LeBlanc and us (at least most of us) is that she not only sees all of these trials and tribulations as a contiguous whole but also sees how they one aspect of life leads to another. I'm quite impressed that anyone can sit down at a word processor and put most of life's experiences together in a logical narrative AND couch such events in eye grabbing allegory. I also liked the idea of making the protagonist a person of "many faces," which obviously is a representation of the many faces of humanity. That LeBlanc manages to fit all of this into ninety plus pages is a rather impressive feat.

On the other hand, I suspect more than a few readers may have a problem with the conclusion of the story. In what can only rank as a tacit endorsement of Christianity, Many Faces meets up with an enigmatic man--definitely a Christ figure--on a mountaintop after fleeing from the Land of Forgotten. Their meeting ultimately reveals to Many Faces the errors of her past and allows her to work past them in order to achieve a spiritual sort of "rebirth." The language in this section is unmistakably Christian in tone and theme. Not that I have a problem with that. Although I am not a Christian in any sense of the word, I'm not hostile to their belief systems either. But a lot of people are, so much so that you can literally see the blinders descending over their eyes when they are confronted with anything that smacks of Christianity. If you classify as one of these individuals, take note of this fact before sitting down with the book. You will probably still enjoy the other two thirds of the story, however.

The Christian tone of the book isn't really a problem for most of us, though. The real value of the book is putting yourself in Many Faces's place when she first encounters the wonders of love, truth, and happiness as well as the dangers represented by materialism and vice. On more than one occasion, early memories of my life flashed before my mind's eye as I recalled how I too dealt with newfound experiences and emotions and, like everyone else, became a fuller person because of it. I heartily recommend spending the hour or two it takes to read "Many Faces to Many Places." It's more than likely that you'll consider it time well spent.

Many Faces to Many Places is an allegorical journey through...life, really. The main character is a girl named Many Faces, who has the unusual ability to converse with nature. She goes on a journey through a strange world of allegorical plentitude, where all the characters have suitably descriptive names, such as Old Man Pain and Elusive.

Some readers, as well as other reviewers, have classified this volume as a children's book, but I must disagree. Whether or not it was intended to be a juvenile book, I don't know, but the surprising depth contained would, I believe, be missed by many younger readers, if only because it addresses many issues that would be foreign to them.

Many Faces to Many Places is an engaging and perceptive flight of fancy that, instead of being frivolous, offers a maturity and profundity that is more than welcome in this genre.

This is a tale of spiritual growth of the individual as represented by the character known as Many Faces which might represent the stages of change in the person as they grow.

Locked in a cabin and guarded by an ugly witch, both which represent inner isolation and ignorance, Many Faces finally succeeds in escaping into the world where she will meet many characters and have many adventures that represent change and growth as one learns about the world.

A study in understanding ourselves as we reach enlightenment. For any reader who wishes to know more about themselves and the world, this might serve as a guide and help one see what obstacles must be overcome on this journey of self.

Thought provoking and a well told tale. Enjoy.

Review by Anne K. Edwards 05/27/06
http://www.mysteryfiction.net

This Weeks SPOTLIGHT Book -- May 2006

Very rarely a book comes along that impresses me with it's wit, charm and clarity in dealing with all the emotions, traits and frailties of the complex animal known as human beings, as well as Many Faces to Many Places by Judy Azar LeBlanc. LeBlanc's latest book shines like a diamond in a coal mine and is a gem is of rare quality indeed. Her metaphors are unique and crystal clear and offer insight and timeless wisdom into the art of living life to its fullest. Her use of familiar characters in a very illuminating manner brought smile after smile to my face as I read this nearly magical book. To author Judy Azar LeBlanc, Bravo! Excellent!

Many Faces to Many Places is an outstanding, thoroughly enjoyable, and powerful book. One that everyone should read and a book that anyone reading it will benefit.

Judy Azar LeBlanc is the author of Things My Father Never Taught Me, The Compromise and The Unveiling

This story is the adventure of Many Faces, a spirit finding her own way along her life's journey. It is a classic tale of rise, fall and rebirth. The unique twist to this often-told tale is the allegorical style. Many Faces encounters creatures such as "Eyes of Faith," "Deception" and "Happiness" while gliding through her life. On her journey, she experiences a dark night of the soul full of pain and anguish and ultimately a rebirth into the light.

Though only 91 pages, the allegorical style lends itself to a density of the text. Each page begs the reader to stop and ponder the significance of the characters and look for the larger meaning behind Many Faces' experiences and encounters. While this can lead to some great personal insights, it can also create the feeling of a disjointed story. At times the author seems a bit heavy handed, not trusting the reader to draw their own conclusions--explaining that the names Ekaf and Eslaf are fake and false backwards, for example.

While the beginning of the story is quite open to the reader's own interpretation, the middle and final sections are ripe with the author's explanations and preaching. The allegory is a difficult and often unwieldy style that creates a sense of distance from the reader.

Armchair Interviews says: Judy Azar LeBlanc's tale of Many Faces' journey has a strong Christian overtone and would appeal to someone who has discovered Christianity to be their own personal path to truth.

"Many Faces to Many Places," by Judy Azar LeBlanc, is perhaps best described by the author herself, who calls it "a story of the adventurous journey of a courageous spirit" in search of freedom. Through it, LeBlanc also tells the more universal story of the human quest for understanding and knowledge.

Many Faces, a spirit force, escapes from a witch's prison to taste freedom and encounters incidents and people that serve as wonderful allegories for human life. When she meets Mr. Time, for instance, he tells her: "I am like the free flow of the water. I connect your past with your present, which flows on to your future...when you look back into those memories of time, your reflections become longings for the past that will blind you to the present and paralyze your future." Many
Faces' new friend, the Great Golden Butterfly of Happiness, is aptly named Elusive, while another character, the Shadow of Death, points out that some people call her Freedom for liberating them from " the enclosure of their bodies."

LeBlanc tells her story in three parts. In the first part, Many Faces receives "the gift of peace, the chalice of truth, the Eyes of Faith," as well as "the miraculous gift of love" that she had been seeking throughout her journey. However, she strays from her path and loses her faith, and with it her happiness and peace of mind. In the second segment, she meets the ruthless and scheming King Ekaf who talks Many Faces into changing her name and wearing a mask that projects how she wants to be perceived by others. She succumbs to the powerful seductions of the flesh and to King's domineering spirit. She is, as the third part begins, numb with despair and unhappiness for having
traded her precious gifts for "things that burn the heart and scar the soul." The final section of LeBlanc's book is the story of Many Faces' revitalization, her realization of the ultimate truth, and her symbolic ascent up Mount Splendor.

Throughout this spiritual odyssey, LeBlanc culls valuable morals out of her allegories; for instance, Many Faces learns that "to be paralyzed in the face of fear is only temporary, but to never go beyond is crippling for life" and "God and love are one." LeBlanc's fluid, attractive prose draws the reader into the inspirational and insightful story, making "Many Faces to Many Places" an effectively instructional read.

BookWire Review
February 17, 2006

A SOLITARY SOUL'S QUEST* -by J.Kaval - Katha Kshetre International Literary Journal - First Quarter 2006

Life is a riddle, a samassya. Human life is more so. From the time immemorial man has tried to solve the mystery of human life on earth. Holy books - Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, Bible, Quran and many others - claim to have final answers to human existence. Scientific treatises by Aristotle to H.G Wells offer explanations but never adequate answers. The fundamental questions such as who am I? Who made me? Why am I here? What is my destiny? What is death? What's after death?' remain unanswered. So the human search goes on. After Ontology the Psychology has opened up inner avenues and human spirit is still diving deep further to solve the riddle of human life on earth.
Human search for its identity among the beings will continue on two levels of `I'- (the inner self) and outer self, the world (the society). Here is one such an inquiry into inside one's spirit in `Many Faces to Many Places' written by Judy Azar LeBlanc, author of several books on spirituality. The `inquiry into inside through' is brought out allegorically using the medium of fiction, and that is done beautifully by the author. The sum and substance of the book is graphically scripted on the back cover of the book, thus: `Many Faces to Many Places is a spell-binding three-part story of a courageous spirit who, with her unique gift of communicating with nature, takes an extraordinary journey through the world of timeless knowledge. Guided by faith, Many Faces is led through a land that reveals a succession of the hidden mysteries of the soul. When she thinks that she has completed her journey, she loses her faith. Now alone, she finds herself in a land that is designed to satisfy the subtle but powerful passions of the flesh, and she then discovers that she had missed the ultimate truth. Many Faces to Many Places is a work that allegorically travels to the inner places of the spirit in search for timeless knowledge and truth'
The name Many Faces is reflective of a young and hungry soul like Mary or Martha. She escapes from the clutches of a witch (Avidhya -ignorance) and is guided by `Eyes of Faith'. Many Faces encounters both friends and foes of the human soul - the capital virtues and vices. Finally Many Faces along with the Dove of peace, Eyes of Faith and Elusive the Golden Butterfly of Happiness reaches the radiant light of Freedom that engulfs her, and she feels born again.
The readers will find the author's reflection on time, nature, life, birth, marriage, love, faith, death and freedom. These are put forward from a new angle though the themes are age-old but will certainly help the novices and the aspirants of spiritual life. For example, "Faith is the evidence of things not seen, but the hope for them. Therefore, hope for that which is not seen, and know that which is hoped for - will come about." (pg. 86)... "Love is like the sun. It has no price, for it is a gift that is given freely to all of life. Therefore, when it comes to you, receive it joyfully and from it give freely, by doing so, it will grow and strengthen. Hoard it, and it will surely die." (pg. 80)... And so there are many for the meditation. For the lack of space we do not quote more.
The language of the author is mellifluous. Read pages 18, 39 and 87
The characters were conceived from ordinary concepts and personified. But they could be refined names with the meaning lest the readers be confused and confounded. Ms.Diamond for Many Faces, Mr.O'Tempus for time, and Ms.Fidelis for faith.

[* Many Faces to Many Places (spiritual quest) by Judy Azar LeBlanc. Pages: 100 Published by Xulon Press, USA is available internationally at most bookstores for $10.00 USD.

Tami Brady - TCM Reviews

Many Faces to Many Places is the allegorical spiritual journey of a young girl named Many Faces. At the very beginning of this story, Many Faces is imprisoned by a witch who won't allow the girl her freedom but with the help of the Moon Many Faces escapes her bonds. Once free, however, the girl is confused. She isn't exactly sure what she is supposed to do with her new found freedom and her new life. Now the real story begins as Many Faces explores the world as she meets and interacts with the River of Time, the Great Golden Butterfly of Happiness, the Eyes of Faith, the Dove of Peace, Loneliness, Betrayal, Greed, Deception, Pain, and Destiny.

Though the actual story would make a pretty decent children's adventure story, the real value of this work is in the allegorical nature of the piece. The spiritual journey is fraught with challenges and obstacles that are sometimes difficult to see and fully understand when you are actually in the situation. This story illustrates the potential challenges along the spiritual journey in an entirely different way so that the reader can distance him or herself from the process long enough to actually see his or her own obstacles and barriers.

Many Faces to Many Places by Judy Azar LeBlanc is one of the most inspirational books I have read. She has the art of taking many spiritual teachings and boiling them down to an entertaining, easy to read book. Which is much more complicated than writing volume's on any one topic.

It is so difficult for many of us to digest many of the teachings we read today. It's just too easy to say "I don't understand" or "they are talking about someone else - not me!" The style of Many Faces is such that you are caught up in the story and finding yourself saying "Hey, that's me! I get it now."

The story alone is delightful, but what sets this book a part is that it hits home without you realizing it. We can identify and empathize with the main character.

Never before have I been so impacted by so few pages. It is a must read for young and old!