"Good book but narrow audience"
This interesting biography showcases Nevada Barr's quest
for knowledge of much that seems untenable and dependent on
belief. The author, renowned for her Anna Pigeon
mysteries, explains that as she worked through numerous
jobs like acting and writing, she grew up as an
contemptuous atheist who deep down inside wanted to
believe, but needed proof. She read everything she could
and entered discussions in her search for empirical
evidence for something to believe in greater than her short
life. SEEKING ENLIGHTENMENT HAT BY HAT is targeted for a limited
audience. This obvious labor of love is aimed at the most
devout fans of the author or exterior cynics seeking
enlightenment of the existence of a greater presence.
Those casual fans of the author's mysteries will want to
pass to avoid feeling like a pigeon. The writer states her
external searches proved futile in terms of concrete
confirmation, but when she began to look at the inner
essence of Nevada Barr she began to feel a sense of being
part of a greater universe than just herself. One hat at a
time, Ms. Barr provides a deep, humorous look at how she
found her spiritual path that she ironically (in light of
her honest admittance that her research into other writings
failed to answer her questions) hopes encourages others to
do likewise. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted May 28, 2003
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The author of the New York Times-bestselling Anna Pigeon
mystery series beckons her readers to share her spiritual
search for meaning in life. During her life as an actor, a writer, an adventuress, a
non-believer, and a seeker of truth and amusement, Nevada
Barr has been cursed and blessed with the question
of "why?" Though the things she wanted to know were mostly
in the realm of the unknowable, she sought answers through
reading, thinking, and talking-looking outward for signs
and truths. But she found that while her quest for meaning
provided inspiration, it afforded little in the way of
proof. It was then that she began to look inward for answers.
Seeking Enlightenment . . . Hat by Hat is the beguiling
story of her journey from arrogance and atheism toward
humility and a sense of being part of something greater
than herself. Hat by hat, step by step, Nevada Barr leads
readers down her path to enlightenment by sharing personal
episodes, some of them funny and revealing, others
painfully honest. Each chapter offers a truth or an answer
forged through experience and deep reflection, and a nugget
of insight certain to encourage thought and discussion
among readers who may, in turn, find their own spiritual
language.
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