Unique philosophical adventure
938428
This is a surreal philosophical adventure story set at the turn of the 20th century, packed tight with clever ideas and witty conversations, and is like practically nothing else you will ever read.

It might also be regarded as a religious allegory about as subtle as the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the author's odd protestations to the contrary notwithstanding. As an atheist it didn't bother me at all; and knowing the author's claims about the book I even managed to ignore the allegorical aspect until close to the end, when it becomes impossible to pretend it is not a religious allegory. So, why did the author deny it?

For that matter, did he really deny it: he didn't say that the book does not include a "depiction of the Deity", merely that it does not contain a "serious depiction of the Deity". Unfortunately he died a few days after saying it, so nobody had a chance to seek a clarification. Most editions of Thursday contain the article in which the author talks about this, so if you read the book you'll know what I'm talking about and be able to make up your own mind.

I've read it twice now and loved it both times. Late Victorian/Edwardian London and Europe is one of my favourite locales for adventure fiction and movies, with the world on the brink of becoming our own, but still retaining some of the innocence, honour and tall hats of the former.

The book's oft-forgotten subtitle is 'A Nightmare', and scarcely a page goes by without the author going out of his way to add to the sense of irreality by mentioning that scenes and people resemble paintings, or stories, or plays, or dreams, and so on. Don't get too hung up on whether it was all a dream (or nightmare) or not: of course, it was all a book.
2982552
Author of the popular fantasy Wyndanos Cloak, writer A.R. Silverberry in his latest novel has created an appealing hero in the boy Wend. Hes been cast adrift on a storm-tossed river, everything familiar and dear to his childs heart lost to him. Readers will sympathize as he attempts to find his parents while traveling rough waters to manhood. Along the way there is romance and plenty of danger. But this is not a traditional story of challenges met and mastered. There is a distinctly Zen-like philosophical feel to the story as it unfolds and deepens, with characters offering the boy truths wrapped inside puzzles. Theres a nice mix of folksy wisdom as well. The novels atmosphere is both ingeniously otherworldly and mysterious while at the same time evoking the irresistible woodsy earthiness of childhood stories from a much earlier time than our own.
3443661
A quirky and affecting book tracing the intellectual progeny of Xavier de Maistre's "Voyage autour de ma chambre."  Yes, there is an entire history behind the notion of taking a "voyage around one's room," mostly focusing on the 19th and early 20th centuries.  At its best, this book is an engaging and philosophical rumination on travel, rich with curious characters and interesting ideas:  "Room journeys serve the exploration of our own habitus, which of necessity remains hidden to our own gaze, and only through this trick travel can be made visible....The journey is a type of communication with a space to which the traveler knows he is connected."  But not infrequently the book drifts into obscurity:  "The room journey neither leads to nor opens up any paradise, but rather plays out the expulsion from it ever anew.  It is not a conscious experiment, or a short-term exception, but rather an inevitable and involuntary thwarting of every attempt to achieve it.  The room journey instead lasts in perpetuity."  Stiegler has made the regrettable decision to break up his narrative into short, almost fragmentary chapters, which disrupt the flow of his narrative.  As a result, the work seems somewhat less than the sum of its parts.  I stuck around happily for 150 pages and then lost interest.  A great idea with flashes of brilliance for travel enthusiasts -- ultimately only serious students of late modern European urban culture are likely to be satisfied with this book.
3312479
Passage to Sunrise is a mystery, action, adventure, and philosophy, novel all round into one interesting story. While the plot of one man against a ruthless group (that is bent of changing people's thinking in a specific direction) was intriguing enough, the idea that caught my attention was how some intelligent and evil minded people could mold the thinking of the masses through planned strategy and by targeting the education system. The author Bruno Jambor indirectly warns us that we should not be so busy in our lives' struggles that we fail to see the subtle but striking influence that people have on our minds. We should come out of our shells and see any abnormality thriving around us.
The story is presented in an unique manner and it was some pages before I got the grasp and interest of it. Hence, the four star. Otherwise the characters look real and the scenario very much possible. Passage to Sunrise is an unique story that is entertaining as well as thought provoking.
3334517
Dances with Wolves is a movie of tremendous philosophical insight, in that philosophy is "the love of wisdom" and wisdom the knowldge of the truly "good" life.  It is an interesting blend of Aristotle's ethics and existentialism.  Only once he has been brought to his lowest, to the point of attempting suicide, can Lt. John Dunbar begin his journey towards life.  Rewarded for his "courage" he is givien his choice of assignments.  Seeking solitude and adventure, he chooses the western frontier, the unknown, before it is overrun by settlers.  At the farthermost post he finds what he was searching for.  Abandoned and dilapidated the post provides an outlet for him.  The task of rebuilding the post reflects his inner restoration.  However, neat and tidy the post, and thus the Leutenant himself, is without purpose.  His sense of duty, in which he finds his meaning, wains as time passes.  He begins to search outside himeself and his immediate surroundings.  Those he percieved as enemies, the Lakota, become friends.  Hostility gives way to hospitality.  Among his new friends he discovers entirely new approaches to life.  Among them, he finds in himself his own understandings of duty, community, relationships, morality, and love.  Lt. John J. Dunbar dies as he sheds the prejudices and pomposities of the manifest destiny culture from which he came.  Upon that death Dances with Wolves is born, as one unnaturally, into the Lakota Sioux tribe.  His self-discovery allows him to live as an authentic human being, allows him to be himself.  He is the one who comes to trust and to be trusted by beautiful fellow creatures, misjudged and wrongly vilified.  Ultimately, he comes to dance with them, sharing with them the richness of life, both sorrows and joys.  The end is even more beautiful.  His self-discovery does not lead him to a simple life to be lived out happily everafter among the people he loves.  In fact, the movie is the account only of the beginning of his journey.  It is the story of his discovery of the path to fulfillment, found in true community and marriage.  It is not enough simply to enjoy these for the rest of his days.  He must preserve them for others, for those he loves and for those unknown.  "Dances with Wolves" is not simply about a man, nor about a people, but about eveyman's and everypeople's constant journey towards fulfillment.  It is a journey which does not end, but is constantly rediscovered as we adventure in the unknown frontiers.  It can only be traveled in honesty and humility.  It is the path of life.
3228921
THE ZOUDON by Robby Charters is an ambitiously offbeat novel I must have been in the right mood for, because while billed as sci fi or thriller, it is part fantasy, part exploration of the universe, daubs of man's essential nature, and a tour of theocracy rich with potential insights that will leave you pondering.
It's fun. It's quirky. The locales are numerous and vivid. It has a terrifically rendered villain.
The story concerns aliens born of earth mothers who have twins off-world, and a vital destiny to fulfill. Without tipping too much, it's a quest novel at heart, delving into sub themes and some original takes on people, politics and the divine.
929163
Gem of the Wanderer is a novel that I found to be something new from my usual pool of reading material--short, thought-provoking and fine works to be inspired by. However, the Gem of the Wanderer features a few things that are greater than what I have read. Over 500 pages lies this adventure that I took, through the world of Ebbern--with its unique lore and earthly characteristics that make it a pleasing and rather memorable setting. The book contains some messianic themes-- such as Gem of the Wanderer's character the Prince of Wonder--who very much resembles the "Jesus figure" in many fantasy/sci-fi settings I have read in the past. The story is documented with the passing of seasons--in which the chronology in this book is unique, as the setting of Ebbern has eight seasons (which is appropriately further explained in the appendix of the book). I really can't get over how much work has been put by the author of this book--it really boggles my mind. Truly, it is a piece of literature; something that brings inspiration and embeds many questions in my head; yearning for answers and ultimately finding them after much needed re-evaluation and dissection of the text. Plot elements and unique, cultural aspects about the world of Ebbern further supports the fact that this is truly a world worth exploring, both inside the mind of each character, and from our own perspective. Characters aren't bland and their progression in terms of development over the course of the events in Ebbern are dynamic in a unique sort of way. Anyways, to put it short and sweet, the book opens a whole new portal to another dimension, which in turn opens the door to a journey full of bends, a few twists here and there and a tunnel of darkness leading to a light of hope and a resolved goal to achieve happiness in a world filled with chaos and confusion. ... Okay, that wasn't short at all, but whatever. If you're curious to even take a peek of what's in store for you in this novel, I must say it certainly doesn't hurt if you get this epic book that I've been ranting on about in this review, so you could see if such criticisms ring true--to determine the value of praise this work of art deserves.
3805451
This book can be taken as allegory, speculative fiction, and a philosophical thought experiment. It uses a powerful narrative device--that of consciousness as experienced through the perspective of a butterfly--to put human life into a broader, transcendent context. It confronts the reader with basic and sometimes uncomfortable questions about the purpose of life and death. The reader is taken on a journey alongside Grace as she experiences the remarkable contrast between the seemingly simple life trajectory of a butterfly and the apparent complexity of a lawyer's life. Grace's expectations are turned inside out as the narrative guides the reader though the trials and tribulations of a troubled soul's self-awakening.
4497348
Unique and provocative should probably be banned from all future book reviews because the terms are so overused. But until they are, I think it would be apt to call HOLE by Rim Tveras both unique and provocative.

On the surface, HOLE is a story of hopeless love between a couple of undergrads studying design at a nondescript college in the Midwest. One is a hormone-crazed lad whose thoughts are divided between creating great art and the object of his desire, a gorgeous and captivating young woman fatally damaged as a result of an abusive childhood.

But HOLE is on a much larger mission than just another sad love story. In fact, the plot is essentially a set piece for a deeper excursion into a philosophical system in which concepts of creativity, artistic expression, the origins of inspiration and even mankinds place in the universe are explored. This is all doneprovocatively!

Then this construct is married with the psychology of emotional dysfunction, spawning a disturbing theory and justification for an artistic expression of suicide. And finally, there is the metaphysical closing of the loop in which HOLE lays out a theory that embraces the potential of an eternal merging of souls once the body is liberated from the tyranny of its brain.

So, HOLE is well titled, because it is deep!

Its hard not to admire the seriousness and scope of Mr. Tveras undertaking. Its tough to construct an engaging story around the formidable ideas being conveyed. While its true that the mouthpiece for the authors more complex concepts, a charismatic design professor named Mr. Victor, comes across as a bit wooden as he lays out the philosophical underpinnings of the novel, the author mostly succeeds in breathing humanity and passion into his story.

HOLE is not an easy read, but for those who love ideas and aren't afraid of looking at the world in a different way, this is a most rewarding book.
1764272
A Voyage to Arcturus is a 1920 fantasy novel by David Lindsay. Here, the adventuresome Maskull travels to another planet, where he undertakes a journey of psychological and spiritual exploration.

A Voyage to Arcturus doesn't have a plot in the manner a typical novel does; it proceeds much more along the lines of something like Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress. Maskull travels methodically from one character to the next, giving each a chance to present and discuss his or her worldview. This focus on ideas is how the book is intended to be read, and if done otherwise, Maskull becomes a horrific serial killer of people rather than of philosophies.

Yet this is still a novel, and the philosophical focus (which boils down to a peculiar sort of mystic Calvinist Gnosticism) becomes overbearing. Pillars of storytelling (such as character development) are generally neglected, and pacing is excluded in favor of the many lengthy conversations, which are profound only to the characters. The reader may well feel that there's little real substance to the work.

If A Voyage to Arcturus is worth reading, it's because of Lindsay's wonderfully imaginative descriptions (most people familiar with this book already know the influence it had on C. S. Lewis's science fiction trilogy). Linday's depiction of all things sensory is masterful, and includes such feats as the compelling presentation of new colors. It's extremely impressive, if not sufficient to carry the book along.

So then, while it is not particularly interesting either as a story or a work of philosophy, A Voyage to Arcturus not without substantial merit. But it's certainly not for everyone.
3078737
In (IF I SHOULD DIE) BEFORE I WAKE, author Tom Walsh gives us a philosophical novel that is unrelenting in its action-packed pace, yet remains a book that makes you think-about yourself and the human condition. His often confused, bewildered protagonist, David, learns to face and overcome the fears that are crushing his spirit, fears common to all of us. This is a very interesting read, and I highly recommend it.
-- John McLain, author of THE RECKONING (also on Amazon)
4231010
This non-traditional philosophy "textbook" (comic book) does a great job of teaching philosophy.  It provides an interesting story of two characters as they meet and conquer the challenges of philosophy.  I recommend this for anyone who wants to learn about philosophical thought or enjoys an interesting read.
3508964
The only reason that "A Voyage to Arcturus" is classified as a science fiction book is that it takes place on another planet that required a rocket ship for our hero to reach it.
The fact is Tormance, the planet revolving around the binary star Arcturus, could have easily have been another "realm" or "dimension" that could have been accessed by a looking glass or a pair of ruby slippers.
This story is basically a philosophical parable is which Lindsay's hero, Maskull, journeys through the world of Tormance in search of the truth. During his travels, he meets several interesting individuals, each of whom represent a different lesson. And as Maskull meets these people, he goes through a series of spiritual transformations that sometimes manifest themselves as physical changes to his body.
Lindsay skillfully uses the philosophies of Calvinism, Shamanism and Buddhism (and probably some others, too) to set up some interesting questions. And like all good philosophers, he leaves it to us to determine our own answers.
I found his ideas on gender relationships, truth, nature and good and evil to be very thought-provoking.
I also had fun trying to read into some of the names he gave his people and places. For instance, a character whose core philosophy is based on self-loathing is called "Hator" ("hater"?). Could "Tormance" refer to a series of "torments" that one must go through to find the truth? Only the author, who passed away many years ago, knows for sure.
Word of warning: I have to agree with the reviewer who complained about this particular edition's proof-reading. There was at least one typo on every other page. Most of them are easy to spot..."me" is typed as "mc"..."far" comes out as "fat"...etc.  But it does make me wonder if any of the errors were subtle enough to change the meaning of the story.
This is an enjoyable book that tells an imaginative story and encourages you to think. and I highly recommend it...if you like that sort of thing.
4047380
This was a very thoughtful, and in that sense, also a very enjoyable read. Argo, the protagonist, a seeker and a therapist by profession, had spent most of his adult life trying to understand man on earth. Specifically, having lived through the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, he wishes to understand what motivates good and evil -is it absolute or is it a question of perspective, and through this quest, he finds himself exploring man's very purpose on earth. The problem is that, as man, he is finite and no matter how many spiritual texts he studies, and how many thoughtful labyrinths he pursues he never seems to arrive at satisfactory answers. He knows he is trapped. Life itself does not yield its secrets to someone who is part of that life. Therefore when Satan, in human form, appears he strikes a bargain. In exchange for whatever purpose Satan has, he is willing to treat this 'person' in therapy in exchange for the otherworldly knowledge that Praggles, Satan's Nom de Guerre, as a spirit from another realm, surely possesses. The dialog is fascinating.

Argo knew that he could not treat Praggles alone but that he needed the support of someone versed in extraordinary matters. He remembered John, a priest friend of his from the past, and someone who, at the time, had left an impression upon him. Together Argo and John begin to elucidate the meaning of Satan's sudden appearance on earth. While discussing all of this, Argo realizes that John, himself seems to possess some hidden knowledge, and that John is more than he seems to be, a simple parish priest. Finally, open to a source of knowledge that he had been seeking his entire life, we are left with Argo dismayed and joyous, as an understanding seeps into him, about the source of all knowledge and how he could participate.

Like Dorothy in the fable 'The Wizard of Oz', who could have gone home at any time during her arduous journey, and only had to click together the heels of her ruby red slippers, but had to be truly ready before it was all possible, so too Argo, after his early fruitless quest for answers and his extraordinary experiences, first with Praggles and then with John, had found his way forward.
3052060
Rogers has created an intriguing examination of morality in the post-human world. Even more, he manages to do so without vilifying divergent views, and with a variety of humanly flawed characters. But all the rest pales before the story told by Fisher.  You find yourself constantly looking forward to the words "Excerpt from Fisher's Blog". Part robot "Charlie" (of 'Flowers for Algernon') part Neal Stephenson's 'Anathem', Fisher whisks through philosophy as a new minted mind.
A unique work of Science, Science Fiction, Philosophy, Religion, and Morality.
562328
Ariel's battle with boredom and a sense of disconnect from her everyday life comes to an abrupt and terrifying halt one night when her mother, Nadima, is kidnapped by two horrifying creatures whose existence ought to be impossible, but isn't:  demons with an apparent malevolent agenda, who seem to have targeted Ariel's mother for a reason.  Set on a frightening journey to find and rescue her mum, Ariel soon learns there's another world hidden behind the visible one, where the fight for the human spirit is waged by those who are strong enough and brave enough to face the challenge to see and to discover the true meaning and purpose in their lives.

In this exciting allegorical YA urban fantasy/magical realism novel, author Tahlia Newland weaves philosophical questions about perception, fear, compassion and love into a fast-paced fantasy adventure that is a highly entertaining and metaphysically fascinating tale for readers of all ages.  Much as she did in You Can't Shatter Me, her exceptional novella about bullying, author Newland exhibits great skill in allegorical storytelling, creating a seamless blend of the tale's deeper philosophical considerations and the fantasy adventure and magical realism main story arc, so that the former never comes across as a message added to the story, but is simply an organic part of it.  As such, it is, first and foremost, an enjoyable fantasy adventure quest, but one that also offers more for the reader interested in delving beneath the surface.  For me, this made Lethal Inheritance an even more fascinating read because, while I enjoyed it for all the traditional reasons - strong writing, realistic character development, smooth plot pacing, creative world-building - as someone with a background in Catholic theology and some education in Comparative Religions, I also appreciated the subtle insight into Tibetan Buddhism as Ariel began her journey on the path to enlightenment in this first book of the Diamond Peak series.  Her experience with the Serpentine and her battles against the Emot demons brought to mind concepts, familiar to Judeo-Christian readers, of mastering the negative passions like fear and anger and the idea of sin or evil being "passed down" or strengthened and spread to consecutive generations, and I could easily find similarities between the Buddhist view of the soul and my own Thomistic understanding of the same.

A well-written, yet also easy-to-read, fantasy that I believe will be appealing to YA and adult readers alike, I highly recommend this novel to fantasy readers of any worldview who enjoy an epic adventure with real world symbolism and depth.  I was fortunate to have been able to read an advance copy of the story as its copyeditor and I eagerly look forward to the next book in the series.
1119950
It's about time someone wrote a book like this! Most tomes about philosophy, spirituality and life's meaning are usually dry, academic and difficult to read. In contrast, "Larry the Penguin Searches for the Meaning of Life" presents deep philosophical concepts both directly and metaphorically through an entertaining, often funny, exciting and emotional fantasy about a penguin and a polar bear that are joined on their quest to make some sense of existence by a little boy caught in a whirlpool toward death.

No, this is certainly not a Disneyesque story for children. It does begin with a few anthropomorphic animals, but the real story pivots on adult human relationships and adult emotional and spiritual needs. A few hot sex scenes, a suicide and some naughty words are also included. Another reason why this book isn't for kids is because little tykes are generally not occupied with deep philosophical thoughts despite the book's website's ([...]) description of the author's experience as a six-year-old when death first visited his family.

Most people begin to contemplate their own mortality in their late twenties or early thirties. That's why 19-year-old kids make such excellent soldiers; they think only the other guys die. In our later years when we're forced to confront the fact that the end is near, we once again turn our attention to the problem of existence in an effort to figure out what all that nonsense in our lives was about.

Why are we here? Is there a purpose to our lives and does life hold any real meaning? Why does the world and universe even exist? What's the point of all this? For an increasing number of young adults and older folks who struggle with these questions in the 21st century, traditional religion has become an inadequate response, and thick, dusty philosophical works often leave us feeling more unsure and confused. "Larry the Penguin Searches for the meaning of Life" provides clear answers we can understand and accept although some may find it too uncomfortable to lose their security blanket no matter how tattered and full of holes it is. This amazing book answered my questions about my life's purpose and meaning, perhaps it will yours as well. I rate it an unusual but well deserved five stars.