Rating: 
Summary: Pretentious
Review: Like others, I knew the poem before I read this book. It was disappointing to read this book because it seemed so pretentious, full of pretty phrases that had as little depth as the reflection of the moon in a teaspoon. Much of it seemed more like a justification for failure than an attempt to live life with some meaning. Not to mention, much of what she's written here is repeated (in a more coherent way) in "The Dance."
Rating: 
Summary: Spiritual practice in the real world.
Review: Here is a book worth reading and re-reading from time to time. The Invitation is the antithesis of the all-too-common, overly simplified self-help books that teach in cliches and promise more than they can possibly deliver. Don't be fooled by her name --- Oriah is a real person living in the real world, with a goal of being the best person she can be. And this book is an honest, intimate sharing of her efforts --- triumphs and failings included.I find it interesting that the negative reviews of The Invitation are written with what seems to me to be so much anger, fear and even hatred. These reviewers frequently site their fears of Oriah's misguided values, but they have no problem investing their energy into going beyond reviewing a book to personally attacking a person they have never met.
Rating:
Summary: Appealing for the amoral-doesn't deserve even one star
Review: I purchased this book, assuming I would find it uplifting and enlightening. What a mistake that was! I actually took it back to the store because I refused to let the author have one cent of my money. Dreamer's writing would appeal to anyone looking for rationalization of bad behavior. When I read the chapter with regard to commitment, I could not believe that she actually condoned a husband dumping his wife after her stroke. What was worse was that that Dreamer seemed to find a correlation between her own abusive first marriage and this man's situation in his second marriage. Since when does falling ill constitute constitute the same reason to dissolve a marriage as abuse? What kind of person comes with that? Perhaps her first husband hit her on the head and damaged her sense of decency. When the only person with sense and a conscience mentioned in the book noted that he felt the man dumping his wife due to her illness (and his also having found another woman) was wrong, Dreamer rationalizes the behavior by putting the blame on the man criticizing the act, noting that she wondered how he'd "betrayed his own soul in his life" for worry of what others would think. Nice cop out. Well, Oriah (and what were you smoking when you made your name up?), here's what I think: You have found a way to make money by appealing to those who are seeking excuses for their amoral behavior. Ironically, these are usually the people with the most money, so one would assume you'll be well set for life. An author you a not. More like a snake oil saleswoman for snakes.
Rating: 
Summary: Talk about life changing!
Review: It isn't easy to read this book, believe it or not. If you're not ready to make some changes in your life or not ready to see the "real you", than this book is not for you. Discovering things about yourself and your relationships is only the beginning. Be prepared to do some soul-searching and some homework. Some of the ideas here sound a little strange but most are worth trying out.
Rating:
Summary: A star for every time I read the book!!!!
Review: This book is not self absorbed! I listened to the CD that is spoken by the author... she honestly shares her own experiences with you! I do not see how the other critics say that she talks herself up. Rather she shares parts of her life that gives the reader a perspective. I would wager the people that couldn't get past the poem reading her book need a book with steps 1-10 to a better life... rather then giving you fluff of that sort this book shares with you how to look at your life from a differant point of view... The author, which has changed my life. And when ever I face a difficult decision or a difficult period in life... I honestly find consolation by looking at life a little more openly through this book. I am honestly shocked that others could have such a strong reaction against it... but isn't that with all great works?
I hope you do too.
Rating:
Summary: You're not the Only One!!
Review: I must say I enjoyed the poem but the book was a disappointment - she seems to spend half of the book promising to tell us something insightful, how great her wisdom is, and how often she's taken people on the great journey. Frankly I got tired of the hype. I was left feeling that she got a lot of press with the poem circulating around the internet but no money, and writing a book was the only way to cash in. Reminds me of the old adage that most books would have made a great article, most articles would have made a good paragraph. In this case, the poem was enough.
Rating:
Summary: Self-absorbed twaddle (negative stars)
Review: If what you're looking for is a personal philosophy that will allow you to rationalize selfishness as "being true to yourself", then this is the book for you.
It's frightening how many of the reviews I've read here seem to whole-heartedly embrace this horrid, destructive message as empowering.
And for those of you who would say that the poem is beautiful but the message behind it is not worth reading, I would say the poem IS the message, and the message is gobbledygook.
Rating:
Summary: very real
Review: this little book gave me shivers....the poem is what drew me in. It is so real, it's about real meaningful things and feelings. After reading it, I bought 14 copies that I sent to a group of amazing people I met in a seminar for personal development. It grounds me every time I find myself in a chaotic and crazy situation.
Rating:
Summary: A Challenging Read
Review: Oriah Mountain Dreamer presents a view defiant of what society would like you to believe is dominant today. Though not in 100% agreement with what she writes, she does present a view-point that is not only a challenge to read and comprehend, but one that reaches one's inner beliefs of today's lifestyles. I found myself re-reading several paragraphs, if not whole chapters, to truly understand what she was saying. This book presented a relief in other books that are out there today. It is different and makes one delve deep inside their own beliefs to not only understand what she is saying - but what the reader believes within... I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in - why - !!!
Rating:
Summary: Great Poem...should have left it at that!
Review: I LOVED this poem, it was beautiful, ethereal, pleasing to the ear, idealistic, creative...everything a great poem should be. It pulled people in who shared the sentiments for a beautiful dream ride. The book however was a huge disappointment after the poem. Her writing style was easy and even pleasant to read but you got to the end wondering what exactly she had said. She criticized a lot of self help/new age thinking but her book seemed to do the same, just not nearly as well as some. She should have stuck with writing a beautiful poem and not tried to turn it into a book for commercial or social gain.
| 
