The Witch's Dream: A Healer's Way of Knowledge (Compass) [Mass Market Paperback]

Florinda Donner-Grau (Author), Carlos Castaneda (Foreword)

Book Description

Series: Compass | Publication Date: January 1, 1997

A student of don Juan Matus, Florinda Donner-Grau entered the world of spiritual healing as an an anthropologist, but her involvement soon deepened. This is the extraordinary account of Donner-Grau's experiences with dona Mercedes, an aged healer in a remote Venezuelan town known for its spiritualists, sorcerers, and mediums. Working as dofia Mercedes's apprentice, Donner-Grau witnessed first hand the power and beauty of true healing. At the same time, she came to know the many people who approach dona Mercedes for help. Interwoven with their haunting stories is Donner-Grau's own tale of self-discovery.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (January 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140195319
• ISBN-13: 978-0140195316
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #291,201 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the cubic centimeter of chance, September 23, 2002

By 

Alex Simack (Bloomington, IN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Witch's Dream: A Healer's Way of Knowledge (Compass) (Mass Market Paperback)

I can't leave this marvelous book with a couple of limited reviews here at Amazon, even though it's been ten years since I last read it. Donner's story is simply a great human story; it's really about becoming more human. It's about the simple necessities in life, about the choices we are forced to make when choices are most limited, and about the life we find through that "cubic centimeter of chance." It gets outside -- thank God! -- the crime and punishment limited mentality of America....and of course that is why such a book will bore some readers and frighten others.

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A welcome addition to the works of Castaneda's party, July 21, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Witch's Dream: A Healer's Way of Knowledge (Compass) (Mass Market Paperback)

Donner-Grau tells the story of her adventures in Venezuela under the tutelage of a local witch and healer. We follow her blossoming from an uncertain traveler with muddled purpose to a healer in her own right; one who appreciates the magical nature of interpersonal relationships.

This book would be highly recommended to anyone with an interest in shamanism, healing or wichcraft. A foreword by Carlos Castaneda cements the book into the matrix of others written by Castaneda himself and by the other members of his party.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Even if you don't believe it..., January 9, 2003

By 

StellaCadente (Detroit, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Witch's Dream: A Healer's Way of Knowledge (Compass) (Mass Market Paperback)

...this book works. You don't have to believe Florinda Donner experienced or witnessed everything in this book to find something useful about her portrayal of the life of a Venezuelan healer and spiritualist (our modern, American terms). Read it like a novel that certainly feels like it was thoroughly researched. You'll find it an excellent journey to a place you've never been before.