It took me months to open this book and I am glad I finally did.I had picked it up in the Spring to read on vacation, but then I lost interest for awhile. I had been scared off after re-reading the part about her Mother dying young on the back cover teaser…The story seemed more depressing then uplifting.
But somehow it traveled to the beach with me this summer and thank goodness, as The Ice Queen is a perfect beach read; light, thoughtful and surprising.What surprised me about the book were the intriguing characters and plot twists.The characters were complicated; no one is black and white.Each of us has hidden parts that may shock those around us – “If they only knew…” we wonder silently.
I have always been drawn to plots where the world sees one thing and reality is so much stickier.I like it because it reminds me to think in tones of gray.To remember that there is a completely unknown back-story behind each person that motivates their behaviors every day. The message to me is always the same – sometimes it is not about you.
The narrator of the story is often seen jumping to hysterical conclusions as displayed when she spies on her sister-in-law late one night returning library books, or why her lover only wants to make love in the dark, or even the cause of her mother’s death.The narrator’s inability to see beyond her own self-contempt blurs her perception of events – everyone doesn’t like her, she has no friends, she causes death…
Surprisingly she does have friends and those who care for her, but she can not see it because of her own self-loathing.Since she has not learned to take care of herself, she can not take care of her friendships or even a positive relationship with her brother.The narrator transcends her hurts finally by stopping her self-punishment.Unfortunately and of course, tragic events must unfold for the narrator to finally make peace with the past.
However, a satisfying peace is made and lessons can be gleaned by any reader about perception and reality.It is often a bit of both that creates the moments of your life, for better or worse…
I read this book on New Year’s Eve/Day and I was surprised.My husband had given the book to me as a Christmas gift.I had never heard of it before, but my husband has a way of knowing my heart – so I gave it a try…
Interestingly, I really enjoyed the book when I read it and have referred several friends and clients to it, but now that I look at the book in hand – again, I’m surprised…Upon my first reading a couple months ago, I was fascinated by her many different techniques to bring intuition and spirit more present in you life.I still am and think some techniques are very useful.
However, as I look at the chapter titles, I remember nothing of her words, her beliefs.Well, actually one part of her writing does stand out and always will – her discovered root meaning of the word magic is “to bring light to.”Being also a lover of words and magic – this definitely resonated with me and gave her writing voice authority as I continued to read.
I don’t think less of the book; I am just reminded that what is important will rise up.Yes, now that I reflect further, she did reveal a bit about her life and how she came to her beliefs, but it is the techniques to incorporate magic into your daily life that is the importance of the writing.
I encourage anyone interested in living a more magical life to read this book and even try out a few of her techniques – like me, you will be surprised.
Who hasn’t heard all the hype surrounding this book – Oprah’s book.Several of my friends and family have recommended it to me and reluctantly, I read.I say reluctantly because I am not a big fan of reading journals.I’m a prose-girl.I have only found a few (David Sedaris, Dr. Beryl Markham, Anne Morrow Lindbergh…go to my resources page to get reviews/info) that have a voice that not only resonates with me, but doesn’t bore…She bores a little – do I really need to read about her urinary track infection, the drama of embarrassment and alternative healing?I’m sorry this just isn’t that big of a deal – obviously no childbirth experience…
And I guess this is at the root of the difficulty for me with this book – it really centers on her coming to terms with not waiting to have children and starting down a new path with new behaviors and new beliefs.Me – I’ve got two kids, a husband and a private practice, it’s a balancing act here.So, after a while, her choices, behaviors and their reports became boring, predictable, slightly annoying and self-indulgent.
This is not to say there wasn’t good stuff in some places, but her experiences were very “me” focused – how could they not?She didn’t have any kids, divorced.She battles ferocious demons of depression.Basically, she falls apart and this is her tale of being put back together.All well and good, and this is where it loses my interest.I become slightly annoyed with this theme that to find higher spirituality you have to forsake your life and go to some far off place?Who – in the real world, has that luxury? Kids?Spouse?Bills?Job?
It smacks of an elitist sense of reality.Connection to the divine is not restricted to an Ashram in India or living in poverty on a bench for a year (Eckhart Tolle – The Power of Now).Actually, the divine is here and now, waiting for you to step into.I didn’t always believe this, but I found the key – here in my present life, not a reality that I manufacture to create an experience.Yes, I had to find a way over the years (meditation, Church, reading, mentoring, therapy…), but honestly that is an integral part of it, the journey to self.
So, I got bored with the book.I highly recommend it to ladies struggling with not having kids and fitting into a society that is sometimes at odds with that choice.This is a very real segment of society that struggles with this and needs a voice.However, I caution, you don’t need to go to India to find peace.It’s a choice, here today.
The struggle comes from an old belief system that you acquired during childhood and it is sabotaging your life right now.It’s time to establish a new, healthier way of looking at your life with better habits such as meditation and exercise.Peace waits for us all, here, not thousands of miles away in an Ashram.However, it may feel as if resides in some far off place…this is the journey to self.
