Customer Reviews

An Unlikely Prophet: Revelations on the Path Without Form : A Novel

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Over the years I stumbled across the fact that Alvin Schwartz wrote Superman during the strip's best time. But upon reading An Unlikely Prophet I was mystified by his translation of the Superman myth to a (almost?) real life situation. Schwartz is a master at dangling the real and the imaginary before us. Did all this really happen or is it a fiendishly clever work of fiction? Where did the lines cross? If, indeed, they crossed at all. Unlikely Prophet is the quintessential 'can't-put-down' book. It is a highly entertaining and, if you choose to believe the Tibetan mysticism, a very educational read. It will improve your geography, sociology, psychology and vocabulary. And it should raise Alvin Schwartz higher in the ranks of superior writers.

The book starts out grounded in reality, and then slowly becomes less grounded until it starts to fly. An enjoyable story and a fascinating belief structure fill the pages. Try it.

As the world becomes a global village, it is a pleasure to read materials such as this one that touch upon eastern, western and multi-dimensional thought.

A simply beautifully told spiritual adventure.

Honestly, I had a hard time getting into this book initially. Keep a dictionary handy if you don't have a large vocab, lots of interesting historical references I'd never heard of before either. Get inside the mind of a long term writer of Superman. Some interesting stories about Alvin's experience, and the story behind the story. Figure out who Superman is to someone who breathed life into him for a couple decades. A weird journey that brings imagination to life...something sorely lacking in the age of reality TV.