A Magical Journey With Carlos Castaneda

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating biography
Review: Margaret Runyan's book is a fascinating biography of a mystery man. I have read and loved almost all of Castaneda's work, but knew little in the way of factual events that led to his success as one of twentieth century's greatest writers. This is an interesting viewpoint; we can see what his fequent abscenses did to his family.
In it we see the portrait of a talented and ambitious man in search of truth and in search of a way to distinguish himself from the mediocrity of academic life.
We see the love he had for his adopted son "Chocho", and his wistful and sad realization that he did not have the time to be a good father to him. There were other things: i.e.going to the desert to see his "informant". At the beginning, it might have been an ambitious move calculated to distinquish his career, but as time went on it became an obsession to know the truth.

The reason I rated this book 2 stars is because of the amazing number of typographical and grammatical errors in it. It makes one think, didn't she have an editor, and what kind of publisher would let all these mistakes get in??!!

However, the book is an easy read and hard to put down if you are a Castaneda fan.It sheds light on many details unknown before.It should also be a good thing for detractors of Castaneda to read, because it shows the man's integrity in so many ways, in spite of his unwillingness to stand by certain facts (i.e. his lies about his birthplace/time etc.) He really did want to 'erase his personal history' much before he met Don Juan. She tells us about his early influences (including herself)and the events and people that led him to his famous path. Although there are some inconsistencies in her interpretation of who he was,she generally has a down-to-earth viewpoint, and presents him in all his contradictions yet as a good human being who cared but was unable to perform his family duties, in other words was a flaky husband and father.
I can recommend it.
A.

Rating:
Summary: Another way to tarnish Castaneda's contributions
Review: The book seemed another way to make money by a relative of a famous person, although Castaneda never intended to be famous. He rarely interviewd (I have read only one interview), no pictures taken from him, and never advertised a new philosophy or painted himself as a new "guru" or anything of that sort. Besides, living with a person for some time does not make one expert about than person. To know Castaneda deeply, read the original works.

Rating:
Summary: not great, but nevertheless informative.
Review: This is not a well-written book and (no doubt) casts more light on the author than on Castaneda. That being said, for Castaneda enthusiasts, it is well worth the trudge through the text. You can read beyond Margaret Castaneda's words and intent (which is not bad) and focus on whatever area of Carlos Castenada you might like to accumulate additional information. While there is not a lot there, what does stand out is that Carlos Castanda, like M.C. Escher, Eric Satie, and a few other harbingers of modern consciousness, was able to wrestle from his life a bridge for all of us to walk upon, his heart a highway for this generation. It matters not by what legerdemain he accomplished this feat, only that he by the force of his will, he did create this window for us beyond time. Reading this book was helpful in putting to rest a number of questions that may have been floating in my mind. - Michael Erlewine, executive editor All-Music Guide

Rating:
Summary: glad this was written
Review: This work must surely be CC's 'Golden Clasp'.When I read the review of Max C from Guadalajara/Mexico I was convinced that the ole' "wily coyote" had been 'rumbled' but apparently not.

More than anything else in this book,one thing kept niggling me.It struck me that such a short;arguably spiritless marriage; would not have embued 'Margaret Runyon CASTANEDA' with the ability to 'see' Carlos to such a deep,multi-faceted degree.

Additionally,there was the presence of an almost imperceptibly less than impeccable grammar,syntax and editing,that popped up from time to time throughout the book.Such sloppiness has never been in evidence within any of his previous work.Reconsider that these are stalking hallmarks,(such as the hand across M R's chest in the photo' on the back cover),and the authorship of the book seems slightly less than certain.Admittedly you need one of Carlos' paternal eyeglasses,but when one bears in mind the context of stalking during Carlos' literary career then it's surely worth slowing down when you read this 'Golden Clasp' that signals the end of one lineage and the commencement of a new one.

When you read this book you are reading one of Carlos' autobiographies,which is peppered with the spice of inaccessability,but does express the major stages of his life.The trauma of losing a parent during your formative years struck a chord somehow.Patterns like these represent beacons of spirit that possibly can't be shrouded.If you follow the written record of Nagualism you cannot fail to be both delighted and entertained by this work.

It's worth remembering that Carlos has laid the clues to both 'see' and decipher during his career.More than anything else,by following 'the way' you will benefit from 'seeing' without losing your sense of humour or reason.

Enjoy...

Literary works such as this 'Magical Journey with Carlos CASTANEDA' cannot fail to delight those whose vision of the abstract surpasses self-importance.

M R CASTANEDA indeed..!

Rating:
Summary: Compelling insight into the background of Carlos Castaneda
Review: What an insight into the life and relationships of Carlos Castaneda! His ex-wife writes of the times before he became an icon of the 1960's. Was he truthful or making up his "teachings of Don Juan?" Or, is truth somewhere in the middle? Did Castaneda in fact study with a "sorcerer" and write highly embellished stories of his experiences? The latter is what this book implies (at least, as I read it.)

There are many stories of Mr. & Mrs. Castaneda's relationship together. There are also stories of how he related to his son (or is it his step-son?). These are very insightful about how Carlos relates to people. In this book, that's not very well. Margaret Runyan Castaneda also does not come across as very saintly.

This book is a fascinating read for anyone who revels in the information Carlos Castaneda shares in his books. It's also worthwhile reading for anyone who questions or doubts the accounts of Carlos Castaneda.

Rating:
Summary: A huge disappointment!
Review: While the book suffers from poor editing, I found it an interesting and insightful read. Perhaps I had expected to find a bitter former companion of Carlos Castaneda in Margaret, but instead I found an intelligent and caring person. Some of the situations do indeed show Carlos in a negative light, but he, like the rest of us, was a human being. I have been a Castaneda devotee for over 20 years, from the days when his books were regularly used in college courses as fact. As I've grown older I realize that we commonly don't want to see the truth, when one of our heroes turns out to be human. By these denials, we deprive that person of their wholeness, their humanity, with our dreams and expectations being the weapon. My view of Carlos has changed over the years, but maybe I'm seeing him with a bit more wisdom than I did all those years ago. Margaret's book included touching scenarios that revealed more about the man and the source of his philosophy and tales...like! Margaret pointed out to Carlos, the lessons of don Juan were the lessons Carlos was teaching himself. Carlos Castaneda is one of the greatest philosophers of all time in my eyes and will always be so...his struggles laid out before us, akin to Jesus' parables. These are lessons that can be used each day in our lives. Carlos' art turned out to be his life and our world is richer for his existence. Thank you Margaret, for writing the book. I think it is a fine companion for Carlos' works, one that helps complete the picture.