BATU: The Transformation

Rating:
Summary: Why bother?
Review: I enjoyed the book immensely. It is about a yong woman's courageous life journey, her Transformation from an intelligent yet unruly child to a sensitive, balanced, articulate, spiritual woman. Her jouney represents all of our life's journeys. The book was evem more impressive given it was written by a male and about a woman. The author was very insightful and accurate with the feelings and thoughts a woman would have. A book of courage and faith.

Rating:
Summary: Batu: The Transformation
Review: I enjoyed the book immensely. It is about a yong woman's courageous life journey, her Transformation from an intelligent yet unruly child to a sensitive, balanced, articulate, spiritual woman. Her jouney represents all of our life's journeys. The book was evem more impressive given it was written by a male and about a woman. The author was very insightful and accurate with the feelings and thoughts a woman would have. A book of courage and faith.

Rating:
Summary: Emotionally rich story
Review: I found Batu to be an emotionally rich story of a woman who refuses to be deterred from her desire to live a complete life. She refuses to be bound by the limitations imposed on her by her culture. She knows what she wants and is not afraid to speak up and claim the rights she feels are hers. She fights for what she believes in and in her efforts to make a better life for herself, and ultimately for all women, she encounters the wrath of many people entrenched in tradition. She meets many personal challenges head on and discovers a depth to her character that is very emotionally and spiritually empowering. If you read the book with an open heart, Batu will lead you on a personal journey of self-discovery and self-empowerment. As Batu reaches deep within her heart and searches for the wholeness and connectedness that we all desire, you will find yourself doing the same thing. This is not a book just for women; it is for all who are looking for the tools that help us find that part of us that has meaning. Taja, the shaman, guides Batu into the center of her being to find the love that resides deep with her as it does in everyone. I enjoyed it from cover to cover.

Rating:
Summary: A transformation for the reader as well as the heroine
Review: I just finished reading Batu the other day. It took me some time because I was reading it not only with my eyes, but also with my heart. There are so many levels in the book. There is the story line, of course, but there are spiritual depths and truths that are beautiful beyond description. The suffering that was part of the process of transformation from a self-centered and proud girl to a woman of compassion and wisdom illustrates the truth that out of pain can come salvation. I was so touched by the relationship between Taja and Batu. There was such a deep spiritual connection between them that went far beyond mere physical attraction. I was pleased when Taja found a way to save Batu without sacrificing his life quest and his vow of chastity. It was the both of best worlds. Batu, a Transformation is a treasure! I would highly recommend it to anyone who has a desire to seek a more spiritual path in life.

Rating:
Summary: A transformation for the reader as well as the heroine
Review: I just finished reading Batu the other day. It took me some time because I was reading it not only with my eyes, but also with my heart. There are so many levels in the book. There is the story line, of course, but there are spiritual depths and truths that are beautiful beyond description. The suffering that was part of the process of transformation from a self-centered and proud girl to a woman of compassion and wisdom illustrates the truth that out of pain can come salvation. I was so touched by the relationship between Taja and Batu. There was such a deep spiritual connection between them that went far beyond mere physical attraction. I was pleased when Taja found a way to save Batu without sacrificing his life quest and his vow of chastity. It was the both of best worlds. Batu, a Transformation is a treasure! I would highly recommend it to anyone who has a desire to seek a more spiritual path in life.

Rating:
Summary: A captivating book
Review: Not only is this a book with a story that makes one reluctant to put it down and eager to get back to it, but it is full of wisdom and inspiration.

Rating:
Summary: Touching
Review: The author was adept at telling a story about a women and her struggels in her tribe. The struggle against patriarchy, predjudice and cultural traditions in her tribe were difficult for Bata. Many of these struggles can be seen today in a more metaphysical view. I completly enjoyed the story of Batu and her personal journey towards transfortion and growth. She endured many tradegies in her life, yet was able to see them as a lessons and grew into a truly honorable and wise woman in her tribe. My heart was touched!

Rating:
Summary: Touching
Review: The author was adept at telling a story about a women and her struggels in her tribe. The struggle against patriarchy, predjudice and cultural traditions in her tribe were difficult for Bata. Many of these struggles can be seen today in a more metaphysical view. I completly enjoyed the story of Batu and her personal journey towards transfortion and growth. She endured many tradegies in her life, yet was able to see them as a lessons and grew into a truly honorable and wise woman in her tribe. My heart was touched!

Rating:
Summary: Why bother?
Review: Unfortunately, Batu is niether well-written nor a positive story for women.
Toth is clearly not a seasoned author. His writing style is basic and at times awkward. The story is a simple chronological, third person narrative with no attempt to use any variety of literary device.

While on the surface, the storyline seems to be sensitive to women, there is a consistent undertone of misogyny. Toth seems to equate physical beauty with self-centeredness. Batu is punished for her beauty and her self-confidence. She is punished by both the negative male characters and the "creator". It is as if Toth is trying to tell us that in order for a woman to be fullfilled she must not only be deprived of beauty but must be nearly destoyed by suffering as well.

As for the butterfly on the cover? A cliche symbol of ugliness transformed into beauty while the story is the opposite.