Rating: 
Summary: You get out of it what you put into it
Review: Looking over the reviews of this book shows a definitive difference of opinion. There are as many 10's and 9's are there are 1's and 2's. If you read books to be entertained, specifically to have an intricate plot lead you through an exciting tale, TCP may not be for you. While an open mind is important, it is more important to read this book for its message than its story. While the plot leaves something to be desired and Redfield lacks style, the message is invaluable. One doesn't have to believe in auras and energy fields to gain insight from TCP. Redfield's ideas mix modern thought with modern science in order to encourage a better way of life. If one reads TCP with the desire to improve themselves and change their way of living, they stand to gain alot from TCP or, more specifically, through their interpretations of its message. For people who HAVE read TCP, notice the control dramas being played out within the reviews. (see, there are practical, everyday applications of TCP's message.)
Rating: 
Summary: A Low-Energy Farce.
Review: Thin message. Thinner plot. And just think, folks, they're actually going to make a TV movie of this drivel! While some of the philosophies explored are interesting, the plot was so ludicrous that I laughed out loud in spots. This is new-age psychobabble at its worst!
Rating:
Summary: PLEASE START THINKING
Review: The first thing I noticed when I read all the personal views everyone expressed concerning The Celestine Prophecy was that most people who read it either loved it or hated it. I personally found the book to be very good, not because of the style in which it was written, but for the theme it expressed about people reaching higher levels of spirituality and self-realization. I sincerely pity the people who did not finish the book or realize it's main points. Even though it's definately not the best book in the world, it has it's good points that should stand out when the reader finishes the book. A friend passed this book on to me, and when I read it, I figured out that happiness with yourself is one of the most important things someone can achieve in life. The saddest thing, though, is that almost all of the critics who did not like this book condemned anyone who does, labelling them either stupid, illiterate, or ignorant. Even though I am only 16, I do not consider myself any of these things, except maybe mature enough to realize that everyone has to find their own meanings-not only in this book but in life itself-WITHOUT having to rely on other people's opinions, or corrupting somebody else's opinion because of a closed mind.
Rating: 
Summary: How unfortunate to mistake such drivel for sprituality!
Review: Recently, members of my book group decided it would be such fun to bring in, giftwrapped, the worst book we've ever read. Over coffee, we each chose a "gift" from the stack and opened our "treasure." I chose to giftwrap this book. Anyone who has ever read Joseph Campbell, George Lucas or the Bible, will find this search for the spiritual self lame, if not laughable. I worry for the American public, that this book remained on the best-seller list for so very long. Can we be that hungry, that we must look to whatever is trendy, for inner peace?
Rating: 
Summary: Very enjoyable, if the timing is right.
Review: Wow, talk about polarities. I've never seen a book that drives people to such extreme opinions. There appears to be very little middle ground. It's been several years since I read the book, so I'm going to generalize my overall feelings instead of addressing specifics.
I remember remarking to a friend how in the last several years I had gone through a period where numerous life-altering coincidences had happened to me, and that it felt as though I was fated to travel the path I was now going. She then recommended this book. I bring up this point because I believe that you have to be "ready" for this book. Ready, not in the intellectual sense (back off all you pseudo-intellectuals), but simply ready because the timing of events in your life is right. I enjoyed the book because of its life-affirming viewpoint that presented a positive path for all humanity.
True, there is no great "story" here. There is no attempt at "great literature." Redfield never attempted to present this as anything other than fiction. I even remember thinking that it was a very easy read. Yes, the ideas presented are common sense. Yes, the same ideas can be found in various religious tomes. However, I think the worst that can be used to describe this book is "harmless". I certainly don't see any radical TCP new agers plotting to take over the world and force it to read/practice the Prohesies. As for all you "apparently well-read" individuals out there who feel the need to recommend masterpieces so that others reading this will be suitably impressed with your intellect--CHILL OUT. Not everyone has the time in their lives to devote to a little "lite" Plato reading before bedtime.
TCP is a hell of a lot more enjoyable than any self-help book might be. Anyone offended in the opening chapter was already predisposed to hating the book. Those who didn't finish the book "know not of which they speak."
If someone picks up this book and gathers some insight into their behaviors (and others'), and is able to make a positive change in their lives because of it, let them. Philosophy and Literature majors, religious zealots, "intellectuals", don't bother with the book--you'll hate it. (That will teach you to read a book, just because everyone else is.)
People who follow their emotions, you'll love it.
Rating:
Summary: Its a book for office workers who want to become spiritual
Review: I read this book at first, begrudingly, simply because everyone around me was raving on about it, and their attitudes towards life and other people had suddenly cahnged. So in the end I read it too, and at first I thought it was excellent. I still do agree that it is a very good book, but after reading it a few times, I get the impression that it is a book for suit wearers who want to become spiritual. There are far better non fiction storytelling books out there that have been around for a lot longer that will tell you all about the spiritual energies and enlightenment ways of life.
Rating:
Summary: A Philistine Conspiracy
Review: This book proves once again there is no short-cut to spiritual enlightenment. I bought it on a business trip two years ago, after encountering it everywhere I went and misled by the "word-of-mouth recommendations", but sadly still haven't been able to venture beyond the fourth insight. An appalling literary attempt, the thin plot (not even fit for a comic farce) and the one-dimensional "insights" had all been well-documented by other astute reviewers, and it's ironic the only pleasure I derive from TCP is reading all the reviews it provoked. This is a book for the semi-literate New Age novice, who's been hiterto deprived of more substantial and inspirational materials. Judging by the popularity of TCP, it is shocking how many of them exist. As for TCP's pretension to double as a self-actualisation manual and an introduction to philosophy / ancient wisdom, Redfield's far superior contemporaries Coelho's "Alchemist" or Gaarder's "Sophie's World" had both achieved what he's failed to deliver. For those of you branding anyone not rating TCP a 10 as lacking an open-mind or spiritual awareness, I challenge you all to read some real masterpieces by Blavatsky, Gurdjieff and not to mention the Eranos Yearbooks, besides the works by better known Greek and European philosophers. The only insight I learnt from TCP is that now I can place those people who raved about it exactly where they are in the scale of intellectual and spiritual advancement.
Rating:
Summary: "Go figure!"
Review: What a riot!!! Reading, skimming, and glancing through all these "reviews" -- it's actually much more entertaining than the book ever was (having read it twice -- once when it first came out, and again more recently, trying to see what I had possibly "missed" in it the first time). . . So why not add a comment to the plethora of those already pouring out here! The book itself, as so many others have already pointed out, is sadly lacking in any ("standard"/"conventional")literary techniques/skills/qualities. . .but those ideas -- look at the controversy they've stirred just on these computer pages alone! Look at the pure volume of outpouring of opinions! What a riot! Does that mean there is some force/strength to the book? Or just humans fiercly in search of some deeper understanding and meaning to life; perhaps best picked up by "original" philosophical and religious sources as also already commented on by other "reviewers"? Go figure!
Rating:
Summary: Dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb
Review: The previous reviewer's opinion to the contrary I am not the sharpest pencil in the pack, nor am I a baby boomer but I've got to say that this was a really BAD book. This book is to pop spiritualism what "Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus" is to pop marriage-counseling books. I have seen more profound wisdom in Bazooka bubble gum comics. I have read other books like "One" and "Illusions" which successfully presented their spiritual point in the form of a novel without beating the reader over the head with it, so it CAN be done. This one just stinks.
Rating:
Summary: Very Long List Of Reviews
Review: We'll i read about half way down this page before getting too sick to continue. I'm not a literary genius (like most of the literary geniuses who gave this book a bad review) Nor am i an avid reader of books. I had never even heard of the book until my sister gave it to me (meaning that most of the people who know of this book are older scholars who have lived too long of a life to start reliving old hippie days again. Which brings me back to me, 21 year old white boy from ohio. Trying to live a positive life in this earth you (my elders) destroyed. Maybe if you believed in what you preached about in the 60's this world wouldn't be in the shape that it's in. So as you read this book, don't just have an "open mind" open your memories of when you we're looking for the answers. Put yourself in my shoes. I loved it and am using it every day. No i don't go around preaching it or trying to see colors in trees, none of us are at that stage of being yet. most of us never will be. Start with the 1'st insight and move forward slowly. And Yes, everything in the book is "not" new knowledge (even at 21 i know that) but it looks as though we've all forgoten how to live the way we should. this book brings a fresh look for "my" generation, your's has already lost.This book can change your life if you let it. Dave
|
