#BlogTour Into the Summerland by Julian Cundy

Today it’s my pleasure to kick off the BlogTour for Into the Summerland by Julian Cundy. It’s a short and thoughtful piece of fiction. Into the Summerland is speculative, spiritual and perhaps even motivational at times.

About the Author

Living in Westcliff-on-Sea Essex, Julian Cundy is a British adventurer, dedicated day dreamer, wordsmith and observer of life and all its absurdities. He is a recognisable character in his home town thanks to his eye-catching outfits comprising fine hats, cravats, tails and spats.

Follow @CundyJulian and @Authoright on Twitter

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Visit juliancundy.com

Buy Into the Summerland

About the book 

The eternal question – what happens when we die? Is there a consequence from how we lived? Is there a reckoning?

Henry Ashton’s turbulent life is at an end. As he moves on from this world, he discovers how elusive the final peace can be.With a spirit companion by his side, Henry learns there can be no peace without reconciliation, no rest without acceptance. He must walk his own path to absolution.

“For some souls the transition from mortal life to eternal peace is an easy one, soon completed. For others, who have been troubled in their life or who cannot reconcile the events and their part in them, the journey is longer…and harder. But every soul will find its rest.”

Review

I wonder how many of us would choose to relive both the highlights and the lowest points in our lives, even after death and as a last task before passing on to the next level. Assuming there is one to pass on or over to in the first place, but I suppose that depends on each individuals faith, belief or complete lack of either.

In this novella length story the reader revisits the past with the newly departed Henry, who has to have closure with all the emotionally charged moments of his life in an attempt to find peace in himself , his actions and decisions. This session, which appears to be endless and without any time constraints, is a challenge he needs to succeed at in order to move on.

It is a lesson in reflection and speaks to the walls we build inside our minds and hearts to seal off the most painful memories. Everyone makes mistakes, and there are no do-overs in life. We aren’t born with a manual on how to take the best path in each situation.

It is a thoughtful piece of fiction. I suppose if seen from a more psychoanalytical perspective one could also view Chuttlewizz as the conscience urging Henry to look back upon his life and make peace with his internal fears, anger and also the small pockets of joy and tranquillity. He doesn’t believe he deserves the latter and regrets the former.

Although this can be perceived as a spiritual story, it is quite simply a natural progression towards the end of a life. The older we get the more we tend to dwell on the paths taken, the mistakes we made and any possible regrets we may have. It’s interesting how we tend to focus on the negative rather than reminisce about the positive and happy times.

What I really liked was the inference or premise that after death our souls need to be whole again before they can be released. The notion that we need to fix the holes in our souls to be able to move on and rest in peace. Perhaps we shouldn’t wait until our last breath to do so.

It is speculative, spiritual and perhaps even motivational at times.

Buy Into the Summerland at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

Paperback edition Kindle edition

Publisher: Little Bang Publishing (Length 77 pages)

Follow the Tour:

Monday 11^th June Cheryl M-M’s Book Blog

Tuesday 12^th June Wrong Side of Forty

Wednesday 13^th June Spiritual Media Blog

Thursday 14^th June Abooktasia

Friday 15^th June Portable Magic

Monday 18^th June Big Book Little Book

Tuesday 19^th June Belleandthenovel

Wednesday 20^th June A Daydreamer’s Thoughts

Thursday 21^st June Portable Magic

Saturday 23^rd June Cupcake Mumma

The Yoga of Max’s Discontent by Karan Bajaj

I kind of love the pun in the title. Other than that the story has nothing to do with Steinbeck or Shakespeare.

This book might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but for others it may be a door to a certain level of understanding. I suppose that will depend on how much a reader has contemplated spirituality, self and/or life.

What is it about? Enlightenment and self-discovery. A trip to discover the meaning of self and life.

You don’t need extensive knowledge of yoga or meditation to read this, although it might add an extra element of understanding if you do.

Max comes to a crossroads on his personal path in life. Perhaps it is the death of his mother that brings everything to a head. His past, present and future flashes before his eyes and suddenly he knows it’s now or never.

He leaves everything behind him, after a conversation with a lightly clad man in the middle of cold city. Viveka sees a kindred spirit in Max and says something life-changing to the young man. Max leaves family, friends, a high-paying job, his apartment and his country soon after.

On a personal level I really enjoyed the deep insight into the yoga and meditation, especially the yoga. It made me look at it from a completely different perspective. Not just relaxation, exercise or plain old balance.

You can tell the story is also a personal journey for the author, which makes the insights so much more enlightening and approachable, despite the surrounding fictional story. An unusual and different kind of read.

Buy The Yoga of Max’s Discontent at Amazon UK or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.

Not Fantasy genre…more of a spiritual message with strong religious themes…

Tathea by Anne Perry
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Let’s start with off with what this book isn’t shall we. It is not by any stretch of mind a fantasy. Tossing on a robe and giving characters foreign sounding names and having the main character travel from kingdom to kingdom does not a fantasy novel make.
Once again I am surprised by the fact that Perry is using her books to voice personal opinions and beliefs.Retrospective with age? Hmm using the vessel of her popularity to speak to others perhaps.
Which she could have pulled off successfully if the story had been good. It was like having to read a book of algebra whilst stuck on a desert island. No offense to anyone who would find that stimulating.
Where was Perrys usual panache and smooth charm?
This is a book about religious beliefs and it is most certainly leaning heavily towards the old Mormonism.
I have to admit to being disappointed. I would enjoy seeing Perry try her hand at the fantasy genre but it seems as if a lot of her books in the last few years have become more about getting her agenda out there instead of creating a great read.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley.

View all my reviews