02-04-2010, 10:08 PM
In that case, let's see if we could discuss it a bit here, without giving away too many plot twists.
I have to admit that the bizarre title was a real turn-off for me for a full year. Eventually, I figured that since I'm so inspired by the other LLR material, I should give this book a chance.
The nonfiction introduction has biographical material about Don, Carla, and Jim, that I haven't seen anywhere else. Some of the things that were said about their experience helped me understand them much more. I think that including that material in the history of LLR might help readers have a deeper appreciation of LLR and what they have gone through to bring forth these spiritual concepts. In particular the photo and anecdotes about Don really helped me appreciate his personality even more.
I also wonder if the introductory comments should be moved instead to the end of the book, because they give away some of the surprises in the novel's storyline. I guess my recommendation is that first-time readers skip the introduction and go right to the Prologue on page 20.
Philosophically, here are some key things that stood out to me.
Amazing to see the foreshadowing of so much of LLR's later channeled material from Ra onwards:
* The concept of distortion - called "aberration"
* Sadness and fatigue of the wanderer
* Physical exhaustion caused by metaphysical workings
* Nonjudgmental teacher who leaves with a closing benediction of "love and light"
* Polarity and The Choice
* Service to self manipulations to trick positive entities into going into darkness based on the truth being withheld
Also interesting to see some things that seem quite different than the later material, or ideas not returned to at all as far as I know:
* "The eye of the fish" in the prologue - I'm lost as to what that might mean
* Astral thought forms
* Very pessimistic view of Earth's potential for positive polarization
* "Demons are too stupid to do more than one thing at a time"
* Detailed description of magical ritual
* The deep sadness and ambiguity of the conclusion's "cave" metaphor
Overall I enjoyed the storytelling. I like the way that the characters each worked so hard to sincerely implement what each thought was necessary from his or her own point of view. They were distinct and clearly drawn. For the most part, vivid and clear storytelling that's the inevitable unfolding when these perspectives collide. The "pilot porn" of what's our runway Roger, is this our altitude, Al? was a bit much for me, but I can forgive that in the only novel of a pilot. I got a kick out the use of "this is a new sleep drug" speech for hypnotic sleep.
I'd certainly love to be as rich, energetic, spiritually advanced and good-looking as most of the main characters.
I also enjoyed the very picturesque descriptions of the locations and the vigorous storytelling. I wasn't ever lost about who was doing what, where (at least regarding the physical realm).
I think the violence and moral ambiguity make it not really "a parable for all ages." I think before adolescence, the concepts and imagery may be too intense for young readers. That tagline surprises me since it's quite clearly a book for adults, or mature teenagers.
My understanding is that repeated attempts were made to pitch the book for a movie production, which never went anywhere. Two thirds of the book is vivid and concise enough that it would make an excellent movie. The story and characters are uncluttered and easy to follow. Unfortunately, without the unfilmable exposition of spiritual matters and backstory, several scenes might be incomprehensible. I do feel that today's audiences are much more likely to accept a story like this on film than back at the time the book was written.
Given how many "spiritual concepts" novels have recently become hits, with far worse spiritual concepts and lousy storytelling, it's kind of a surprise to me that this book doesn't grace the shelves of most metaphysical bookstores.
Reading this book helped me understand more of just why Don was so happy about the opportunity to converse with Ra.
I think the most brilliantly done part of the book might be the way the negatively-susceptible people were swayed by demonic influence, using the contents of their own fears and prejudices to put their choices into a box.
I think that seekers who are intrigued by the Law of One material but just aren't clear on the whole "beyond 3D" or "Choice of polarity" concepts might find the book helpful.
Again, my thanks for making the book available.
Has anyone else around here read it?
I have to admit that the bizarre title was a real turn-off for me for a full year. Eventually, I figured that since I'm so inspired by the other LLR material, I should give this book a chance.
The nonfiction introduction has biographical material about Don, Carla, and Jim, that I haven't seen anywhere else. Some of the things that were said about their experience helped me understand them much more. I think that including that material in the history of LLR might help readers have a deeper appreciation of LLR and what they have gone through to bring forth these spiritual concepts. In particular the photo and anecdotes about Don really helped me appreciate his personality even more.
I also wonder if the introductory comments should be moved instead to the end of the book, because they give away some of the surprises in the novel's storyline. I guess my recommendation is that first-time readers skip the introduction and go right to the Prologue on page 20.
Philosophically, here are some key things that stood out to me.
Amazing to see the foreshadowing of so much of LLR's later channeled material from Ra onwards:
* The concept of distortion - called "aberration"
* Sadness and fatigue of the wanderer
* Physical exhaustion caused by metaphysical workings
* Nonjudgmental teacher who leaves with a closing benediction of "love and light"
* Polarity and The Choice
* Service to self manipulations to trick positive entities into going into darkness based on the truth being withheld
Also interesting to see some things that seem quite different than the later material, or ideas not returned to at all as far as I know:
* "The eye of the fish" in the prologue - I'm lost as to what that might mean
* Astral thought forms
* Very pessimistic view of Earth's potential for positive polarization
* "Demons are too stupid to do more than one thing at a time"
* Detailed description of magical ritual
* The deep sadness and ambiguity of the conclusion's "cave" metaphor
Overall I enjoyed the storytelling. I like the way that the characters each worked so hard to sincerely implement what each thought was necessary from his or her own point of view. They were distinct and clearly drawn. For the most part, vivid and clear storytelling that's the inevitable unfolding when these perspectives collide. The "pilot porn" of what's our runway Roger, is this our altitude, Al? was a bit much for me, but I can forgive that in the only novel of a pilot. I got a kick out the use of "this is a new sleep drug" speech for hypnotic sleep.
I'd certainly love to be as rich, energetic, spiritually advanced and good-looking as most of the main characters.
I also enjoyed the very picturesque descriptions of the locations and the vigorous storytelling. I wasn't ever lost about who was doing what, where (at least regarding the physical realm).
I think the violence and moral ambiguity make it not really "a parable for all ages." I think before adolescence, the concepts and imagery may be too intense for young readers. That tagline surprises me since it's quite clearly a book for adults, or mature teenagers.
My understanding is that repeated attempts were made to pitch the book for a movie production, which never went anywhere. Two thirds of the book is vivid and concise enough that it would make an excellent movie. The story and characters are uncluttered and easy to follow. Unfortunately, without the unfilmable exposition of spiritual matters and backstory, several scenes might be incomprehensible. I do feel that today's audiences are much more likely to accept a story like this on film than back at the time the book was written.
Given how many "spiritual concepts" novels have recently become hits, with far worse spiritual concepts and lousy storytelling, it's kind of a surprise to me that this book doesn't grace the shelves of most metaphysical bookstores.
Reading this book helped me understand more of just why Don was so happy about the opportunity to converse with Ra.
I think the most brilliantly done part of the book might be the way the negatively-susceptible people were swayed by demonic influence, using the contents of their own fears and prejudices to put their choices into a box.
I think that seekers who are intrigued by the Law of One material but just aren't clear on the whole "beyond 3D" or "Choice of polarity" concepts might find the book helpful.
Again, my thanks for making the book available.
Has anyone else around here read it?