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Loading... The Celestine Prophesy: An Adventure (1993)by James Redfield
I can't believe what a ruckus was raised about this book when it was popular. But then, they say there are no coincidences... ( )A well-meaning friend gave this to me in high school. I read it. My brother's dog ate it while I was away at college. Best thing possible, really. p.s. Dog and I both survived. I imagine the respective eventual effects on us were much the same. I was generous with my rating. I hated to give this even one star, let alone three, because it's one of the hokiest, most ridiculous stories I've ever read.But the main ideas... elusive, mystical "insights" that the main character spends the entire book searching for (which, considering these "insights" are actually the author's, sounds a little arrogant on the author's part if you ask me)... are worthy of some real consideration. I sincerely wish James Redfield had cut to the chase and simply written some essays about his ideas, rather than concocting this inane backwash of a tale, but I will let it go, because seriously... many of the ideas found in this story are worth mulling over, and if this story gets you thinking about them, then this pretty short read won't be a waste after all.Besides, as you follow the main character through his flimsy, two-dimensional exploits, it will probably remind you of bad television, and if a writer can make you follow his story long enough to be reminded of bad television, then I guess he can still say that at least he got you to follow him. And by the end of this book, you might curse him for doing so, but chances are you'll thank him as well. The writing is really poor, but the substance makes up for that. James Redfield has a new way of looking at life, relationships, and the self. There are a number of good metaphors. This is an inspirational book. The Celestine Prophecy is not a literary masterpiece by any measure, but it does offer a number of interesting (and sometimes common-sense) insights into how people think. Redfield's New Age bestseller was an entertaining, easy read peppered with observations that caused me to pause and think about my actions toward others, and myself. As Redfield states, it's meant to be more of a parable, a thought-jogger for readers of all ilks to take in and use in their own lives. It's not supposed to be, as I said, a literary masterpiece. The plot's structure is made up of a number of "insights," or philosophical ideals about how people should treat one another and themselves. Woven into this adventure story are archeological and scientific ideas, facts and fallacies. If you take this book for what it's meant to be, an easy and effective look at Redfield's life philosophy, then you'll enjoy this little book and may even seek out the sequels he has since published. It's hard to hate on a book that's full of good messages about trying to heal the world and it's peoples. Try it out. There are copies available in just about every book shop, new and used, as well as libraries and friends bookshelves. See if it works for you, but don't bash it if it's not your style. Redfield's suggestions as to how people should treat one another could benefit some of the snarky, cynical reviewers who have tossed this book aside. It's a heck of a lot better than the Twilight-esque rubbish flying off of the presses, these days. no reviews | add a review
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(retrieved from Amazon Thu, 14 Feb 2013 13:29:01 -0500)
The unnamed hero takes on the Peruvian government, priests, guerrillas and drug dealers to find an ancient manuscript whose nine insights prophesy New Age spirituality. An adventure story replete with energy transfers and other psychic phenomena.
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