Rating: 
Summary: Come on, guys!
Review: First off, let me state that I have never, and will never like this style of writing. The language is often pretentious (I forgot the example I was going to use here) and ill-stated ("I drank intensely", come on!) It is vaguely reminiscent of the children's series "The Seven Sleepers", in which the author mangles the English language to a vast extent. I do not in the least relish the thought of castles and village bonfires mingled with movie theatres and hotels, of an almost primitive existence in which the inhabitants know about physics and theorems. That is a sickening thought.
However, the book's overall tone reflects the existence of deep personal beliefs held by the author. I am disgusted by the way some of the reviewers of this book give those convictions no respect. In the review "Terrible Beyond Words", the reader observes that it was written to espouse Christian dogma. And why should it not? There are many worse concepts, such as gay marriage, which that reader defends, and I think utterly sick, wrong, and (I stress) UNnatural. Also the view that Christians think that kiling is good: While he could have picked a more evocative adjective, May I also observe that those people were killed in self-defense. The same thing is happening in Iraq, and whatever position you take on that, you are still justifying SOMEone's getting killed.
And Mr. Millar, please enlighten me, if this person's version of the world is so blatantly erroneous, how does yours compare? Have you ever thought that maybe God does not subscribe to our viewpoints, and it is in fact we who must choose whose side we are on?
It is obvious that neither of you care to hear a word in defense of Christianity. While the book is not an intellectual gem, or even a very accurate imitation of one, I believe that we all have a right to our beliefs, and if we do not follow an established orthodoxy, we will invariably create our own, one MUCH WORSE.
Rating: 
Summary: Important book for smart readers.
Review: "Castle of Wisdom" by Rhett Ellis is an important book for intelligent readers. I have never encountered another book like it in all my life. It is not the typical watered down stuff that you get on the shelves these days. It has a lot of bite, but it is also quite charming, quite charming.The story taken by itself is a fun read and worthy of the highest praise. It is about a young man named Elias journeys from his small village to find the Castle of Wisdom where he hopes to learn the meaning of life. There is much danger along the way, but the greatest dangers are those that lurk in his own soul, not those along the highway. Elias's battle are always more internal than external. But the story is not mean to be taken by itself, for it is an allegory, and one of the best ever written. It is right up there with Pilgrim's Progress and Hind's Feet on High Places. Castle of Wisdom is Christian in its content, but I am certain that all readers will enjoy it. Five stars from me and happy reading to all.
Rating:
Summary: Excellence on Every Level.
Review: "Castle of Wisdom" is that powerful book that comes along once every ten years or so and knocks your socks off!! Who could ask for more? The main character decides he will learn the meaning of life, if such a thing exists, so he attempts to find a crumbling old building in a mysterious mountain range. It is called The Castle of Wisdom (and by some it is called The King's House in the Mountains). At the urging of a village elder, the young man begins his journey, and he returns many years later as a not so young man. On his path to find the Castle, the young man tries a little bit of everything (women, money, booze, religion, battle, etc.,) and all of it leaves his soul a bit dry. In the end, he learns the "Master Truth of All Truths" that set his soul on fire, relieves the thirst of his spirit, and reveals the true meaning of life. Now I must warn you that the book is Christian in nature. While I heartily recommend it to people of all faiths, you must be aware of what you will read. I love this short but wonderful book, and I believe you will too. Peace.
Rating:
Summary: The Meaning of Life-- Best Book on Subject.
Review: Castle of Wisdom is the best book on the subject of the meaning of life that I've ever read. Through a fictional story with layers of symbolism, the author communicates the meaning of life on several levels. The story is about a young man who goes on a long journey to find a crumlbing old ruin called "The Castle of Wisdom." Along the course of that journey he encounters everything from love to loneliness and good to evil. He experiences a little bit of everything and learns deep lessons from each experience. Castle of Wisdom is far and away Rhett Ellis's most controversial book, but I think it's his best. I know most think the Wisdom of Shepherds is the truly great one, but I like this one better.
Rating:
Summary: Castle Forever.
Review: Castle of Wisdom is the story of a simple man named Elias who goes on an eighteen year journey to find the meaning of life. He meets an interesting set of characters during the course of the journey, most of whom impact his life in some way. But to name a few: He learns two pieces of wisdom from a 98 year old man. He learns the meaning of true love from a nurse. He learns the meaning of evil from a dying emperor. He learns the meaning of materialism from a beautiful but empty hearted young woman. Though the message of the book is deep, the story line is action packed, exciting, and spell binding. It totally consumed me while I read it and stayed with me afterward. Most importantly, the book actually does tell the meaning of life. I got a lot out of the book and look forward to reading many books by Rhett Ellis
Rating:
Summary: Seriously Good Book.
Review: Castle of Wisdom is the symbollic story of a young man named Elias who sets out to find Wisdom. He wants to know the meaning of himself and all things. He wants to know purpose. He wants to experience meaning. Each character he meets along the way symbollizes something, and each experience he has symbollizes something. There are many shades of meaning in this book, many levels of interpretation. The story itself is deeply engaging, a truly riveting read that kept me on the edge of my seat-- as one reviewer put it, "a real nail biter." In Castle of Wisdom, there is romance, adventure, love, pain, and joy. There IS the meaning of life-- and NO, it's not just "the journey." There is a deeper meaning, a great universal truth. If you don't already know what that truth is, you've got to read this book. Still, I don't recommend the book to every reader. Some will find it too deep, some will not agree with its conclusions. Some will miss the depth of the symbollism. I recommend the book to intelligent readers, to people who are very intense in their thinking, to people who are dedicated to the quest for truth at all costs. While there are a few flaws in the writing, the book is still one of the best ever published.
Rating:
Summary: My Favorite
Review: For some reason, this simple (though not simplistic) story seems to arouse the most grandiose passions, for and against. What is it about this gentle allegory that gets people so worked up? Surely it's not the storyline, a rather straight forward account of a young man's journey from ignorance toward wisdom. Is it that it doesn't toe the line regarding political correctness? Could be. Is it that it doesn't pander to the idea that homesexuality is a harmless lifestyle choice? Could be.
But I don't think these things are really at the heart of the matter. As that great Christian apologist C.S. Lewis said, "Every square inch of the universe, every moment in time, is contested between the forces of good and evil." Or something very close to that.
The real battle concerning Castle of Wisdom is the eternal battle between light and darkness, between good and evil. Those who find themselves on the wrong side of the battle are naturally offended. Those who think anything goes as far as sex is concerned are naturally put off by the book's honest treatment of deviant sexuality.
I've read a lot of books in my life, but never have I read a more honest, simple, and forthright book. It may not be the most polished book out there, but it's a true diamond in the rough.
Rating:
Summary: Simple Greatness
Review: I don't know of any book that has stirred more controversy than Castle of Wisdom. First of all, the book does NOT pit creationism against darwinism. It merely attacks the philosophy that Darwinism is all there is-- the world is not self contained. Regardless of the mode of creation, it is preceded by mind. As for its take on homosexuality-- well, the author makes very clear that homosexuals should not be hated. He merely posits what apparently most Americans believe, that it is sinful and a form of psychological disorder.
That being said, Castle of Wisdom is a wonderful, wonderful story, a quick read that holds your attention firmly for every page. I recommend it to readers of all ages.
Rating: 
Summary: Terrible Beyond Words
Review: I was a victim of the “list” misdirection. Read a top ten list with some good books and saw this one on it. Therefore I wrongly surmise that it must be an intelligent book I had not heard about. By page three I realized that I was reading the most simplistic allegorical story I had ever come across. I blinked my eyes and thought, this can't be just a retelling of some Christian themes under the guise of a search for wisdom. It is, and I finished it just to say I did. It is good to read material that gives insight into a mindset you don't subscribe to. I almost put it down and then thought, wait, I should experience what makes people so blissfully sure their version of the world is the right one. I understand the Christian right a little better now. If this story inspires you, then you are probably very happy with your faith, because obviously you are not in the habit of questioning things. I find it dangerous though, how it can veil itself as seeking enlightenment when really, there is no search involved, it is more of a sit down and listen to the reality of the world disguised as a journey. The term wisdom is sorely misplaced. More like soma induced reconfirmation of what the preacher says. The 'love' focus reminds me of the scene form the movie Donnie Darko with Patrick Swayze. I strongly recommend this movie to anyone who found the book interesting or controversial because it deals specifically with the themes surrounding the discussion of whether this is a worthwhile read. The author actually using the phrase dingle dabble gobblely gook or something like it to describe support of evolutionary theory. The main character hears this explanation from the wisest teacher and feels comforted to now be knowledgeable. It really is incredible stuff. If you can sell this to people as a credible search for wisdom then you can sell them a bogus war where they feel god is on their side in the fight against evil. And I guess that is my point. Worth a read just to understand the mindset of the converters. Nice people, but scary.
Rating:
Summary: outdated ideas
Review: I'm alway surprised, I don't know why, when I read a book with such outdated ideas as in the Castle of Wisdom. I guess I equate someone's intelligence with their inquisitiveness and their infinite questioning of life. I mean, really, what other way to find wisdom than to question things. The type of blind faith that this book portrays is to me the opposite of wisdom and so the book is absolutely mistitled if nothing else. Any christian mindset that leaves out tolerance and openness to life, is, just in my opinion of course, a complete slap in the face for Jesus and what he meant to say.
Furthermore, I was literally shaking my head when the creation theory for our planet's beginnings was related. Believing in evolution doesn't have to be anti-God by any means, the bible was written in such a simple way so that the people of that time could get their heads around our beginnings, and now that we have scientific knowledge, the two theories can coincide. The simple idea of 7 days can become billions of years and a multitude of processes to get to where we are now. Anyway, I've said enough, the only complement I have for the writer is that the book was short and little time was wasted reading it.
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