Rating: 
Summary: An excellent tool for the path of spiritual growth
Review: This book is excellent for those who have reached the point in life where they begin to question their existence. It is also useful if one is going through a significant trauma or transition in life. Nurture of the soul is paramount, and yet is probably one of the most neglected aspects of society today. O'Donohue provides a comprehensive collection of soul wisdom which all can greatly benefit from.
Rating:
Summary: Simply beautiful
Review: This book is one of the most stunningly beautiful works dealing with human spirituality and psychology that I have ever read. I would recommend this book to anyone that ever seeks the inspiration of John O'Donohue. His words seem to speak to us all, individually. Thank you, Mr Donohue, for a wonderful book.
Rating:
Summary: A tonic
Review: This book reads as a tonic for the world-weary. In an age of over-information and over-stimulii, this book reminds us of our roots, and of how our ancestors believed for the millenia before us. 'Tis food for the pysche.
Rating: 
Summary: Repetitive
Review: This book really wasn't worth the effort. Author O'Donohue repeated simplistic assertions such as "The body is made of clay" or "Silence is good" ad naseum, tying these trite platitudes together with meandering stories about this-old-woman-in-Ireland, etc. Not exactly the wisdom of the ages. I found about six worthy sentiments in the entire book (for example, the idea that each of us carries a complete world inside ourselves was intriguing), but sieving those thoughts out of the rest of the text was a boring process.
Rating:
Summary: Hard to summarize, easy to read, challenging to ponder
Review: This book's best taken in small doses, a few paragraphs at a time. Each chapter's broken up into such sections, ideal for guiding meditation or inspiring reflection. It's a volume I gave away as a gift and re-purchased for myself after I read it, knowing that I'd return to its contents again and again. O'Donohue's learned much from those with whom he lives and talks and ministers, and his frequent interspersions of Celtic tradition and current Irish-language proverbs and observations attest to the continuity of the Gaelic worldview within the larger Anglo-American hegemony that dominates our lives.
One of the best recommendations for this guide is its refusal to romanticize the rural and rooted tradition's hardships as well as its comforts. The author comes from the people he writes about, and this grounding keeps his suggestions--however philosophical they may soar--concise, honest, and free of cant. The respect for the life lived under the radar and the flyover culture by those committed to the land energizes these stories. Mixing tales and legends and theology from the Irish perspective with contemporary analogies, incidents, and insights, this book somehow avoids touchy-feely simpering or wishful fairie musings.
It's appropriate for those of any faith, any skeptic, or any with spiritual longing. Written by a priest, but never limited to a Christian presentation, the transparent ecumenism of the author's approach speaks to any reader wondering about the Big Questions. Humbly, eloquently, and frankly, it's like having a personal confessor or soulmate with whom you can sit and listen companionably. There's no sloganeering, no ten steps to salvation in ten minutes a day, and no assurances of glib piety. With an open-hearted wonder, serious but never glum intelligence, and a generous capacity to listen to others and to nature, the wisdom distilled by the author here issues gradually, to be sipped rather than gulped. Antidotes for our fast-food generation, which will only work their healing power if we follow the prescriptions and elixirs gathered in its pages.
Rating:
Summary: One of the most inspiring books I have ever read
Review: This insightful book by John O'Donohue is a moving and irrevocably inspiring view on living, dying, loving and becoming closer to your own soul with the companionship of your Anam Cara, or soul-friend. It speaks of the incredible beauty of the Celtic tradition and views on such ethereal subjects as religion, our own divinity, and the power of transforming your life. It is truly a book to learn from.
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Summary: The title says it all ..................
Review: This is the most soul-satisfying book I have ever read. I never thought anyone would top Kahlil Gibran but Mr. O'Donahue has done it.
In a world filled with so much anger, war and darkness it is a breath of light. It is a slow read. You might find yourself reading pages over and over finding increasing levels of love and beauty. Some pages leave you feeling nourished at a level that has nothing to do with intellect and leaves you speechless.
This is a beautiful giftbook.
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Summary: Echoes in clay ...
Review: To all questions, there are answers...My 'personal' journey started a few years ago by reading Johnathan Livingstone Seagull by Richard Bach - Jonathan set me off on a flight of freedom. That book opened doors in my mind which led me to the shelves of many bookshops. It has been a somewhat 'pain to pleasure' journey leading me to some incredible experiences and coincidences. 'Knowing' now they were not coincidences, they all had meaning. My journey brought me to 'Mother Ireland' where (although at the time I did not know why) I felt like I was HOME (in the spiritual sense). I have learned not just to look but to 'see', not just to listen but to 'hear'. Many times I felt bereft, confused and lonely. I battled with logic trying to make sense of it all. Ego is the hardest battle. Had I lost the plot as some friends said. No - I listened to my heart. I have read many many books that have helped and inspired me along the journey. Then then this book came to me from a friend with the inscription "With thanks for the gift of your uplifting friendship". I thank my friend for the gift of this beautiful book and the Author, John O'Donohue for sharing his gift in writing about the most uplifting friend you will ever find - ANAM CARA.I am half way through this book as I write. It is giving me clarity - I am touched, I understand now why I listened to my heart - Echoes in clay. . .
Rating:
Summary: Echoes in clay ...
Review: To all questions, there are answers...My 'personal' journey started a few years ago by reading Johnathan Livingstone Seagull by Richard Bach - Jonathan set me off on a flight of freedom. That book opened doors in my mind which led me to the shelves of many bookshops. It has been a somewhat 'pain to pleasure' journey leading me to some incredible experiences and coincidences. 'Knowing' now they were not coincidences, they all had meaning. My journey brought me to 'Mother Ireland' where (although at the time I did not know why) I felt like I was HOME (in the spiritual sense). I have learned not just to look but to 'see', not just to listen but to 'hear'. Many times I felt bereft, confused and lonely. I battled with logic trying to make sense of it all. Ego is the hardest battle. Had I lost the plot as some friends said. No - I listened to my heart. I have read many many books that have helped and inspired me along the journey. Then then this book came to me from a friend with the inscription "With thanks for the gift of your uplifting friendship". I thank my friend for the gift of this beautiful book and the Author, John O'Donohue for sharing his gift in writing about the most uplifting friend you will ever find - ANAM CARA. I am half way through this book as I write. It is giving me clarity - I am touched, I understand now why I listened to my heart - Echoes in clay. . .
Rating:
Summary: I bought one for each of my coworkers!
Review: What a marvelous book! O'Donohue combines the best on books about our soul, our work, aging, death, fear and much more. The prayers, alone, are so beautifully expressed, they are worth the price of the book. I rarely reread books, but this one has already been reread twice since Christmas (three weeks ago). Each time through, I find another gem to ponder. I bought one for each of my coworkers since they were getting frustrated by me going into their offices and reading passages to them. I wouldn't let them borrow my book because I wasn't ready to give it up yet. Thanks you John O'Donohue for a gift to my soul this past Christmas!
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