On This Page
Description
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.Tags
Recommendations
Member Recommendations
OTVTT2008 Jatkoa seuraa: Jos löysit tien yhdeksän oivalluksen avulla, voit mutkitella menemään tällä kirjalla. Kaasua Komisaario Palmu.
All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten: Uncommon Thoughts on Common Things by Robert Fulghum
PghDragonMan This series will also lift you higher and will make you laugh a lot more.
11
by amyblue
Member Reviews
I think I got through three paragraphs before wanting to hurl this thing across the room. I did not in fact hurl it, because it had been loaned to me.
It is so patently obvious that this was intended to be a novel, but was so poorly done that it was jerry-rigged (or lightly edited, or just re-packaged) into some kind of kosmik self-help loaf. Hooray for Capitalism!
It is so patently obvious that this was intended to be a novel, but was so poorly done that it was jerry-rigged (or lightly edited, or just re-packaged) into some kind of kosmik self-help loaf. Hooray for Capitalism!
This book connected with me in many areas. I have always believed in the energy that is us being the true power. We are made of all these living cells, each vibrating and living together to make us. Okay we all learned that in science class but what connection do we have with the world, everything. I really am not explaining this well. We pull energy from other living things, we can give energy to other living things, this books shows you how to do this in a mindful way. I see meditation and even prayer as pathways to share energies. Some of it was a little woo-woo out there for me to totally agree with but most of the book was an "ah ha" Many of the steps stuck with me. I catch myself draining and pull back, I feel more at peace. So show more there is that :D
The one this that made me knock one star off was the long stories. I get how it worked in to show the works in action but man, they were too long. IMHO show less
The one this that made me knock one star off was the long stories. I get how it worked in to show the works in action but man, they were too long. IMHO show less
Actually works pretty well as an adventure/mystery novel when he's not laying on the new age horseshit too heavy.
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, show more 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. show less
It appears at first glance, that The Celestine Prophecy is based on tricks that the human mind plays on itself; described best by illutionist Derren Brown in his book, "Tricks Of The Mind."...
----
Particularly worthy of note is the illusion of extraordinary coincidence which occurs when someone calls you on the telephone shortly after you've been thinking about them. How wonderful to think that we have achieved some sort of psychic communication with a friend! This illusion is particularly seductive as it allows us to feel that we have some sort of supernatural control over events, or perhaps that some sort of astral plane exists where our thoughts about a person remotely inspire the idea of contact. These are fun and appealing show more thoughts. Personally I find the wider and more honest picture very appealing, as it shows me what wonderful creatures we must be to interpret events in this way. In fact, we think about people all the time. How many people might go through our minds in a day? If not one of them ever called us a little while after we'd thought about them, then that would be truly extraordinary. Yet, true to our delightful form, we have no reason to remember all the times we thought of people and then didn't call; we only notice the co-incidences.
---
Brown is on a personal crusade. He states that he would dearly love to find genuine evidence of the other world, of something spiritual that is beyond our three dimensions. However, he sees no reason for con-artists to profit from the genuine pursuit of this goal, and investigates various claims. One classic was the voices from the dead captured on tape recorders. It was easily explained because when the, "ghost hunters," had announced their question to the dead and listened ... the tape recorder simply turned up it's automatic gain function (because there wasn't anything for it to record) and it resulted in the recording of, "hiss," in which people imagined speech from beyond our world!!!
It is this kind of thing that Redfield has chosen to prey on. Prey on? Well, the previous owners of this paperback have marked up various passages. What has been marked up, invites me to believe that the books past owners were, indeed, on a search for what might lie beyond this world, and were taking Redfield's book as some form of guidance to this. Perhaps the core message of his work being, not to be so selfish. I do find myself wondering whether, with the accounts of personal drama in the book, whether Redfield saw the Internet coming.
The book also reminds me some of Douglas Adams' writings in one of the Dirk Gently novels about the Zen method of navigating. (I believe it might have been, "The Long Dark Tea Time Of The Soul") It doesn't take you where you wanted to be, but it did take you to where you needed to go.
For my taste, however, they marked all the other-worldly stuff and missed what I consider to be the more real aspects; like taking time over food and letting the taste fill your soul, as much as the matter fills your stomach ... but that's another story.
Anyway ... back to the book.
Overall, I'm not impressed.
Some of the motivations for people doing things are a bit dubious. "For a few moments, I leaned forward and rested my elbows on my knees, not looking at the translation. I continued to feel reluctant. The events of the last two days had dampened my enthusiasm and I preferred instead to think of how I might return to the United States. Then, in the wooded area across the way, I noticed the young priest stand up and walk slowly to another location about twenty feet from where he was. He turned toward me again and sat down. I was intrigued over what he might be doing. Then it dawned on me that he might be practicing something that was spelled out in the manuscript. I looked at the first page and began to read."
I mean ... the protagonist had an emotionally connected vision of the entire bloody universe for crying out loud, and ... oh, so help me. I mean ... after all that he'd gone through on the mountain, I'd have expected the protagonist to be in a seriously emotionally heightened state and to have strong feelings when he was presented with the fifth insight.
Redfield writes well. His diction is fluid and understandable. His words flow and they didn't jolt me. However, he failed to engage my emotions. I didn't feel connected with any of the characters and some of the descriptions felt out of pace with the action; particularly during chase or running scenes. In short, the story felt shallow and wanting.
I was also a little upset that this was the sixth edition of, "The No.1 American Sensation," and I was encountering typos. So many that by page 129 - '"We carry on his tradition of locking inward for the truth," Sanchez said.' - It was bad enough that I was driven to actually note the fact that I was encountering typos by that point. This isn't some self-pub, self-edited Indie work we're dealing with, here, guys.
I do believe that Redfield had this whole insight thing planned out, and I wonder at his background in order to create such insights as there was a message in their telling that I firmly recognised; that we are people first and a sex later ... that we can not look to another person to complete us ... we must be complete in ourselves first, before seeking the companionship of another. You don't use two halves to make a whole ... you use two wholes to make a double ... and I find it sad when people don't get what that's about. He also got the message in there about an objection to religion controlling with fear. There's quite a lot of core interpersonal relationship stuff in here.
I think it is a shame that he's put these concepts forward in a way which is actually contradictory with his own insights ... couching them in a story instead of dealing with them honestly! He could have done a lot better, I think, particularly with his writing skills, as this whole energy-swapping thing becomes difficult to follow at times and I don't think it does credit to the positive message about humanity that Redfield is putting forward. One might almost regard this as an attempt to start a new religion! show less
----
Particularly worthy of note is the illusion of extraordinary coincidence which occurs when someone calls you on the telephone shortly after you've been thinking about them. How wonderful to think that we have achieved some sort of psychic communication with a friend! This illusion is particularly seductive as it allows us to feel that we have some sort of supernatural control over events, or perhaps that some sort of astral plane exists where our thoughts about a person remotely inspire the idea of contact. These are fun and appealing show more thoughts. Personally I find the wider and more honest picture very appealing, as it shows me what wonderful creatures we must be to interpret events in this way. In fact, we think about people all the time. How many people might go through our minds in a day? If not one of them ever called us a little while after we'd thought about them, then that would be truly extraordinary. Yet, true to our delightful form, we have no reason to remember all the times we thought of people and then didn't call; we only notice the co-incidences.
---
Brown is on a personal crusade. He states that he would dearly love to find genuine evidence of the other world, of something spiritual that is beyond our three dimensions. However, he sees no reason for con-artists to profit from the genuine pursuit of this goal, and investigates various claims. One classic was the voices from the dead captured on tape recorders. It was easily explained because when the, "ghost hunters," had announced their question to the dead and listened ... the tape recorder simply turned up it's automatic gain function (because there wasn't anything for it to record) and it resulted in the recording of, "hiss," in which people imagined speech from beyond our world!!!
It is this kind of thing that Redfield has chosen to prey on. Prey on? Well, the previous owners of this paperback have marked up various passages. What has been marked up, invites me to believe that the books past owners were, indeed, on a search for what might lie beyond this world, and were taking Redfield's book as some form of guidance to this. Perhaps the core message of his work being, not to be so selfish. I do find myself wondering whether, with the accounts of personal drama in the book, whether Redfield saw the Internet coming.
The book also reminds me some of Douglas Adams' writings in one of the Dirk Gently novels about the Zen method of navigating. (I believe it might have been, "The Long Dark Tea Time Of The Soul") It doesn't take you where you wanted to be, but it did take you to where you needed to go.
For my taste, however, they marked all the other-worldly stuff and missed what I consider to be the more real aspects; like taking time over food and letting the taste fill your soul, as much as the matter fills your stomach ... but that's another story.
Anyway ... back to the book.
Overall, I'm not impressed.
Some of the motivations for people doing things are a bit dubious. "For a few moments, I leaned forward and rested my elbows on my knees, not looking at the translation. I continued to feel reluctant. The events of the last two days had dampened my enthusiasm and I preferred instead to think of how I might return to the United States. Then, in the wooded area across the way, I noticed the young priest stand up and walk slowly to another location about twenty feet from where he was. He turned toward me again and sat down. I was intrigued over what he might be doing. Then it dawned on me that he might be practicing something that was spelled out in the manuscript. I looked at the first page and began to read."
I mean ... the protagonist had an emotionally connected vision of the entire bloody universe for crying out loud, and ... oh, so help me. I mean ... after all that he'd gone through on the mountain, I'd have expected the protagonist to be in a seriously emotionally heightened state and to have strong feelings when he was presented with the fifth insight.
Redfield writes well. His diction is fluid and understandable. His words flow and they didn't jolt me. However, he failed to engage my emotions. I didn't feel connected with any of the characters and some of the descriptions felt out of pace with the action; particularly during chase or running scenes. In short, the story felt shallow and wanting.
I was also a little upset that this was the sixth edition of, "The No.1 American Sensation," and I was encountering typos. So many that by page 129 - '"We carry on his tradition of locking inward for the truth," Sanchez said.' - It was bad enough that I was driven to actually note the fact that I was encountering typos by that point. This isn't some self-pub, self-edited Indie work we're dealing with, here, guys.
I do believe that Redfield had this whole insight thing planned out, and I wonder at his background in order to create such insights as there was a message in their telling that I firmly recognised; that we are people first and a sex later ... that we can not look to another person to complete us ... we must be complete in ourselves first, before seeking the companionship of another. You don't use two halves to make a whole ... you use two wholes to make a double ... and I find it sad when people don't get what that's about. He also got the message in there about an objection to religion controlling with fear. There's quite a lot of core interpersonal relationship stuff in here.
I think it is a shame that he's put these concepts forward in a way which is actually contradictory with his own insights ... couching them in a story instead of dealing with them honestly! He could have done a lot better, I think, particularly with his writing skills, as this whole energy-swapping thing becomes difficult to follow at times and I don't think it does credit to the positive message about humanity that Redfield is putting forward. One might almost regard this as an attempt to start a new religion! show less
The book has substantial moments of truth in it. But it also has New Age mumbo-jumbo and seems contrived, in that it dresses itself as a true story yet it is fiction. So I wonder if the insights mentioned aren't more the New Age movements catechism then anything really supernatural. The New Age has a incredible temptation to it in that it seems so right, but any movement that puts human advancement ahead of carrying your cross and following Jesus leaves me empty.
THE CELESTINE PROPHECY can be categorized as a self-improvement/find yourself book packaged up in a fictional wrapper so it is easier to stay interested in. The story follows the main character through his journey in Peru to discover and understand a lost manuscript. This manuscript is also being hunted and sought after by the government who wants to destroy it because it reveals truth and insight contrary to the teachings of the church and “society.” In the end the story line is used to promote metaphysical ideas to the reader in hopes of enlightening them.
Ultimately, this book was not my favorite. I really, wanted to like it more since so many of my friends loved it and had been urging me to read it. I think my dislike was more show more geared toward the writing style and story line because I found the insights that you learn about through the manuscript enjoyable and thought provoking. For example: (without spoiling too much) – We need to pay attention to coincidences because they are tiny miracles steering us toward the good life, that there is subtle energy that infuses all things (and we can see it) and there is an unconscious competition for energy that underlies all things. These are just three of the insights that I wish I could have just read independently of the story line and then sat with a good cup of coffee and company and discussed.
In conclusion, would I recommend this book? Maybe. Your desire to read it depends on what you are looking for. If you are looking for a typical edge of seat, your page turning story....probably not, the plot/story line was a little lack luster. If you want to read about some of the metaphysical ideas and how we are all connected and fit into this universe... pick up the book and then find a good friend to sit and discuss it with. show less
Ultimately, this book was not my favorite. I really, wanted to like it more since so many of my friends loved it and had been urging me to read it. I think my dislike was more show more geared toward the writing style and story line because I found the insights that you learn about through the manuscript enjoyable and thought provoking. For example: (without spoiling too much) – We need to pay attention to coincidences because they are tiny miracles steering us toward the good life, that there is subtle energy that infuses all things (and we can see it) and there is an unconscious competition for energy that underlies all things. These are just three of the insights that I wish I could have just read independently of the story line and then sat with a good cup of coffee and company and discussed.
In conclusion, would I recommend this book? Maybe. Your desire to read it depends on what you are looking for. If you are looking for a typical edge of seat, your page turning story....probably not, the plot/story line was a little lack luster. If you want to read about some of the metaphysical ideas and how we are all connected and fit into this universe... pick up the book and then find a good friend to sit and discuss it with. show less
Members
- Recently Added By
Lists
You Couldn't Pay Me to Read That (Take 2)
203 works; 83 members
Carole's List
445 works; 13 members
Novels that you shouldn't waste your time on
94 works; 52 members
Biggest Disappointments
606 works; 168 members
Books mentioned in Vandermeer's Wonderbook
34 works; 2 members
BitLife
212 works; 4 members
spirituality & consciousness
22 works; 1 member
religion, myth, folktales
13 works; 1 member
current
52 works; 1 member
Spirituality
195 works; 1 member
Healing resources for women
587 works; 1 member
el
1,139 works; 1 member
Author Information
76+ Works 12,931 Members
James Redfield is a writer. He was born on March 19, 1950 and grew up in Birmingham, Alabama. Redfield majored in sociology at Auburn University and then received a Master's degree in counseling. Redfield spent 15 years working as a therapist helping abused adolescents. He published The Celestine Prophesy and it has turned into a spiritual guide show more for the New Age. Redfield was awarded the Medal of the Presidency of the Italian Senate in 1997. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Some Editions
Awards and Honors
Awards
Series
Work Relationships
Has the adaptation
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Celestine Prophecy: An Adventure
- Original title
- The Celestine Prophecy: An Adventure
- Alternate titles*
- De Celestijnse belofte : een spiritueel avontuur
- Original publication date
- 1993
- People/Characters
- James Redfield; Wilson James; Charlene; Sarah; Marjorie; Father Sanchez (show all 26); Father Carl; Wayne Dobson; Phil Stone; Professor Chris Reneau; Julia; Rolando; Dale; Pablo; Karla Deez; Mareta Deez; Juan Hinton; Gas station proprietor; Proprietor's wife; Proprietor's daughter; Robert Jensen; Kenny; Father Costous; Cardinal Sebastian; soldiers; Peruvian servants
- Important places
- Peru
- Related movies
- The Celestine Prophecy (2006 | IMDb)
- Epigraph
- And those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of Heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. But for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up ... (show all)the book until the end of time. Many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase. (Daniel 12:3–4)
- Dedication
- For Sarah Virginia Redfield
- First words
- I drove up to the restaurant and parked, then leaned back in my seat to think for a moment.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)His smile faded as he handed me a passport and a ticket for a flight to the United States...then told me in a heavy Peruvian accent to never, never return.
- Blurbers
- Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
- Original language
- English
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 7,450
- Popularity
- 1,540
- Reviews
- 128
- Rating
- (3.15)
- Languages
- 22 — Catalan, Chinese, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian (Bokmål), Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Serbian, Croatian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 162
- UPCs
- 3
- ASINs
- 52