Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Loss, fascination, and curiosity spark a pilgrimage, July 15, 2006
Loss, fascination, and curiosity spark Paul de la Moret's pilgrimage. Reach to the Wounded Healer asks how one finds his life's purpose while living in a modern world. The result is an inspirational and contemporary fable that cannot be easily categorized. Ernest de l'Autin has written a book for those who want to explore truths relevant to their lives while at the same time refusing to be bored. While spiritual self-help books teach how and autobiographies explain, Reach is a brand of literature that transforms. Although Autin takes great pains to create verisimilitude through faithfulness to detail and regional dialects, the novel's poetic power never diminishes. This vivid novel is filled with action and high stakes. And, Autin uses the edge of the sword in order to create realistic and memorable people rather than static characters. Moreover, because Reach skillfully entertains life-purpose questions, it compliments Paul Coelho's The Alchemist, the worldwide classic of personal fulfillment.
Paul de la Moret leads a life that is both enchanting and tragic. After he suffers the loss of loves ones, a mysterious lady visits him in dreams and visions and tells him, "I choose you." In searching for answers to the visitations and the statue of the lady, Paul journeys from his native Louisiana to the Ukraine. His captivating transformation from pilgrim to healer blends humor with poetry and inspiration. Through his own woundedness, Paul carries the message of comfort and healing to those who suffer around him. In this way, Paul learns his life's purpose.
Reach is also a charming story about the value of friendship. The interactions between Paul and his childhood friend John show how valuable comic relief and love are, especially to a young man trying to find himself. Their friendship strengthens and encourages Paul to continue his pilgrimage. John helps Paul to quote his inspiring poem of old written by St. John of the Cross. Once Paul is strengthened, Paul and John together survive and thrive through the high adventure and suspense of their worldwide trek.
Reach is a comforting novel because of how realistic it depicts the support Paul receives from his loved ones and the lady. Reach becomes a poem, a devotion, and a prayer.
Despite Reach's entertaining quality, loss makes Paul's soul ripe for the lady's spiritual help. But love and forgiveness become the most powerful healers. A Ukrainian woman Olga tells Paul, "Wery heavy heart. Lady know people like you." This key statement summarizes Paul's situation and is a reminder that God is near those who suffer. Yet, as Paul learns, sometimes it is harder to be human than it is to be "spiritual." His pilgrimage is not automatic; he must forgive those who cause some of his losses.
Paul sums up his story at the end, saying, "[St. John of the Cross] has shown me that we must reach to others through our woundedness. In this, we find the courage to reach in love rather than hate, to rejoice in hope rather than despair, to live in grace rather than guilt."
While Paul is guided by the lady, she is no mere plot device. Paul is, at times, a doubting Thomas, an impulsively mouthy Apostle Peter, and a rebellious Jonah. He must learn to follow the lady's guidance. Therefore, readers can relate to him. And Reach does not preach to readers, but offers Paul the spiritual guidance he needs when the story most requires a renewal of his strength. Reach can also be enjoyed by people of all faiths or those who are looking for faith.
Reach shows readers the power of dreams. Because Paul's dreams are prophetic, the level of detail that Autin provides is important. Divine foreknowledge must be accurate by definition, or no one could believe its message. Autin also uses setting to link the natural and the divine through Paul's dreams and visions. This gives the events and places the spiritual tone that is central to Paul's pilgrimage.
|
|
|
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Spirtual Tour de Force, May 15, 2004
'Reach to the Wounded Healer' is a wonderful spiritual novel that explores the human condition and uplifts the soul. Two life-like characters, Paul and John, go on a journey to solve a mystery that is haunting Paul. What he experiences in his adventures from Louisiana to South America to the Ukraine is absolutely amazing. Not since Paulo Coelho's 'The Alchemist' have I been captivated and emotionally moved by a book. Truly an enjoyable and insightful book. Be ready to laugh and cry, often at the same time.
|
|
|
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The most interesting book I've read this year..., May 20, 2004
OK, so I'm not much of a reader but I have to admit this is one of the best books I've read in many years. I usually get bored with most novels and it ends up taking me weeks or months to finish them. I read Reach in 8 hours without putting it down. The storyline is gripping, filled with adventure and mystery. Mixing a bit of politics and religion into the story goes a long way towards keeping my attention. All of us have asked why certain things happen to us in life, so in one way or another all of us can also relate to the main character's struggles and angst. If you want an insightful and compelling read, I highly recommend Reach to the Wounded Healer. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
