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Reviews
Closing the Circle
Review by Sydney L. Murray
Recommended by a dear friend, I found myself reading Closing the Circle, by Mark Kastner. Expecting a romantic novel, I was thrilled to find a fictionalized historical perspective of an anthropological expedition in the Great Rift Valley in the wilds of Africa. This is the place where the Leakey Expedition famously discovered the so-called cradle of human kind.
I found myself connecting to the characters as if they were various aspects of my personality at different times of my life. Again and again, I was reminded of the importance of following our bliss, not only in our work, but also in matters of the heart.
This was a book I could not put down and read quickly over a weekend. With a cast of characters that intrigued and inspired me, I especially loved the elder Masai chief, whose wisdom and humor transformed very difficult situations, filling them with hope. This book reminded me to focus more closely on my loved ones and to speak honestly and directly with each person I encounter.
I think that so many of us—myself included—get caught up with living. We believe our relationships can survive the stresses of life, even if it means that we are less loving than we could be. This book has subtly encouraged me to cherish those I love and reflect the feelings in my heart for them through my actions. Our lives are precious and our legacy from the very beginning of humankind may be more grounded in loving relationships than was previously thought. And why not—isn’t love the glue that holds us together?
Author Mark Kastner informed me that he had initially intended to write a how-to-book on couples and loving relationships. Then he looked out amid a sea of these kinds of books and decided to wrap his ideas of love and connection into this powerful historical novel that explores and questions the very origins of our humanity.
I loved this excerpt, which highlights the treasures uncovered in this healing novel:
The old doctor stroked his beard. “Well I have to admit that the idea comes from Teilhard de Chardin. It’s really all about changing people’s consciousness. I think we can all agree that this is not the most conscious world we live in. The main reason, as I see it, is that as Sarah just said, not many people know why they are even here. If you don’t know why you’re here, then on some level you must be lost. On one hand, we have scientists stating that we are only biological entities, while on the other hand theologians claim that we are of divine creation. As I’ve told you, Teilhard believed that we were a combination of both—that is, biological creatures seeking God. In private talks I had with him, he believed that mankind was only in its infancy in expanding our consciousness…You see, once we understand the reason behind our creation, that in itself changes our present actions and speeds up our future evolution. Or should I say, consciousness breeds consciousness.”
As I found myself at the cataclysmic ending of this novel, I felt as much hope for humankind as I do for our country’s horizon as it brightens with our new president. This book is destined to be a classic. It offers hope—not only for humanity, but for our own loving relationships. It’s really only a matter of how far you would go for the one you love.
For more information, contact Lotus Publishing at 619.223.1190 or visit www.ClosingtheCircle.com.