Mutant Message Down Under

Rating:
Summary: Misrepresenting Australia
Review: If you must purchase this book, please buy it second hand in order to prevent this woman from making any more cash from the incredible lies that she is peddling. There is enough misunderstanding concerning the nature of Aboriginal peoples history and culture without Marlo Morgan adding her 2 cents, if it is even worth that much, worth. If you want to take seriously the word of a woman who appears to put Cane Toads in Sydney, or Native American Dreamcatchers in the hands of Indigenous Australians then go ahead and read this book. I seriously doubt that she spent any time at all with Aboriginal people, and she has in fact admitted to fabricating the bulk of this new age fantasy. If you want to get some picture of the actual experience and knowledge of Australian Indigenous people, then read something written by them. Sally Morgan (no relation) and Alice Nannup are just two to get you started. The Aboriginal culture of Australia is rich and vast enough without Ms. Morgan needing to untruthfully and self indulgently embellish it!

Rating:
Summary: Absolute Rubbish
Review: Intellectually, most of the ideas are better presented in Daniel Quinn's "Ishmael", "Story of B" and "My Ishmael". Esoterically, there is nothing new here. The bulk of the "inward" ideas can be gleaned from any study of Native American spirituality, the rest are lifted for the most part from "A Course in Miracles" (which is often hijacked by bestselling New Age publishers, but still worth reading in it's original form), with a tip of the hat to Joseph Campbell. From an anthropological standpoint, her references and customs are from a different continent entirely (that is, North America) with only a cursory (and stereotypical) amount of detail about the Australian Aborigines. I found it interesting that Marianne Williamson is quoted on the cover (author of "A Return to Love: Reflections on a Course in Miracles"), as she is a partner in crime to the author at the same publisher, Harper Collins. I'm assuming Marianne's quote will help sell her book as well, and they can all share in the spoils. I wonder if the author took her $3,000,000 advance from the publisher and put it to good use protecting and preserving the aboriginal culture she attempts to exploit?

To put it back in context, she actually apologized to the Aboriginal tribal elders for the book. In a comic note, the apology was brokered by the utterly respected spiritual leader and noted Hollywood action star Steven Seagal:

....P>Lastly, the "official aboriginal source" who lends credence to this absurd tale recanted on any approval before his death. After pressure from the Aboriginal tribes the work was labeled "fiction" by the publisher, although her introduction still claims it's a real work based on her experiences. I'd give it a D-. Normally, I'd give it an F, but I'm impressed by her complete lack of conscience in the name of profit. Sorry to rain on the parade, but there are more wholesome and helpful esoteric texts out there...

Rating:
Summary: A really good message for people to hear.
Review: I give this book a lower rating because of the poor writing it contains. I do reccomend the book because it will give most people a very different perspective on a lot of things in our world. I am glad that I read it.

This book tells a very sad tale about a primitive culture that is close to being lost from this planet with very little to record its existence. They feel that modern society has caused their downfall (which it may have in many ways) and that there is no longer a place for them in this world. While this society is very primitive when compared to our standards, I believe that there is a lot that we could learn from their way of life.

I think that this book brings up very important issues dealing with society today. While I am not a "hippy" or much of an environmentalist, I do believe that people have very screwy perception of what life is all about and what will bring them happiness. I feel that society has fallen away from spirituality and from concern for nature that we possessed in the past. I think that the Abos belief in life and in living in nature actually makes good sense. I believe that people would be much happier living among nature, and allowing nature to provide for us than we would competing among ourselves and restricting our lives to cities and highways.

I am not sure how realistic it is for me to hope for a change in society that would transform it so drastically from what it currently is. However, I do think that people REALLY need to seriously consider the consequences that our actions may have on the environment and life in the future.

Rating:
Summary: Beware of the message of this book!
Review: When I picked this book in a bookstore in Alice Springs, I was not aware that the author was going to be unclear about whether this was fact or fiction. The cover describes the book as "A Woman's Journey into Dreamtime Australia." I was ready for another account of a journey in the Australian outback and insights into various aboriginal groups. Being halfway through "Tracks" - a factual account of an Australian woman's journey across the outback (which I have also reviewed)- I was hoping this book purporting to present a somewhat similar experience by an American woman would be equally enjoyable.

In her introduction, the author allows the reader to judge whether the book is fact or fiction, suggesting it can be enjoyed both ways. Certainly, if you are willing to suspend disbelief, and read it as pure fiction, it is a good read, even though it falls short of the quality of similar books by Carlos Castenda relating to native Americans.

But, on finishing the book, I was left with an uncomfortable sense that the author's ambivalence over fact and fiction might actually be manipulative. What bothered me even more was that she might also be manipulating the very people she purports to promote in the book.

You should be aware that this book is very controversial, and even among many Australian aborigines who feel that they have been exploited by it.I would strongly suggest you first consult some articles about how it has been received by Australians - aboriginal and non-aboriginal.

Rating:
Summary: Marlo Morgan's gospel: The emperor's new clothes
Review: At first read, this is the fictional story of an American woman who is adopted by a group of aboriginals in the Australian desert, and journeys with them across the country, learning and assimilating the culture of these 'Real People' on the way. Yet beneath the surface this novel is much more than that. That much is evident alone from the immense controversy it has generated, and the strongly contrasting passions of praise or criticism it has aroused. Why all the fuss?

It's because of the thinly veiled 'message' that the author conveys with her story. The story itself is not even that well written, but more important than the story is the message. Marlo Morgan is convinced that there is something wrong with the people of the modern world, which she describes as 'mutants', in contrast to the aboriginal 'Real People' who are 'God's first people, the only true human beings left on the planet.' But Morgan goes a step further when she presents the lifestyle of the Real People as the answer to the problems of mankind. By following the principles of the Real People, Morgan proclaims that paradise is possible. Man's own saviour is himself. Mankind can save themselves from evil, and create paradise on earth.

Essentially this is new age philosophy rather thinly disguised, plain and simple, the new age gibberish of modern times. Not surprising, there's also mention of typical new age techniques like palm reading, mental telepathy, and healing. Conveniently, the Real People are mouthpieces for Morgan's own new age philosophy, and cleverly lend an authority and credibility to her ideas that would not be present if she were to just proclaim it herself.

As a result, this book is much more than an interesting story. Morgan makes no secret that she wants the world to adopt the practices of the Real People. They 'made me their spokesperson' and she is the 'mutant messenger' preaching the Real People's gospel. By the conclusion of the book, the proclamation of the new age gospel becomes increasingly explicit. 'We do not judge the Mutants. ' We pray they will look closely at their actions, at their values, and learn before it is too late that all life is one. We pray they will stop the destruction of the earth and of each other. We pray there are enough Mutants on the brink of becoming real to change things. We pray the Mutant world will hear and accept our messenger.' It's evident that Marlo Morgan wants us all to become converted new agers, seek salvation from within ourself, and so bring about paradise on earth. Essentially her story is the good news to mankind, a new age Bible, disguised as a novel.

It's a clever idea, because what Marlo Morgan has essentially done is wrap the central tenets of new age philosophy in a package, and cloaked them with the apparent authority of an ancient aboriginal tribe hidden in the desert. The authority cannot be challenged because the tribe is in hiding and about to vanish forever. It's all very wonderful - if it's true. But what if the story isn't true and the Real People don't even exist? The authenticity of the events she describes critically important: is the emperor really wearing any clothes or not?

It doesn't take much to see that the emperor doesn't have any clothes, and to realize that the story is a fabrication. Morgan ' an American - gives herself away by attributing several characteristics to the Real People that are distinctly North American rather than Australian, such as the use of spider-webs as dreamcatchers and headresses with feathers (concepts familiar to North American Indians, but completely foreign to Australian aboriginals). As an Australian myself, it's easy to see that many claims she makes about aboriginals and Australia are simply untrue. There is a complete lack of substantial corroborative evidence for the events Morgan describes. Not surprisingly, the book has sparked loud cries of outrage from Australian aboriginals, who calling it an insulting hoax, and claim that there is no evidence that Marlo's journey ever took place. A group of aboriginal leaders even received support from the Australian government to travel to North America to prevent the book from becoming a movie. In response to the outcry from Aboriginals at their culture being exploited and misrepresented in order to endorse new age ideas to gullible Americans, Marlo Morgan has reportedly apologized and acknowledged that her apparent experiences were fiction and a fraudulent fabrication.

Ultimately the ideas of the Real People about consciousness and positive thinking are just too conveniently identical those proclaimed by contemporary new age gurus. Today's new age prophets ' not the Real People ' are the real inspiration behind this book, and those with a passion for new age ideas and an ignorance about Australia are its victims. Cloaking modern new age ideas with the apparent authority of an ancient people is a mean and nasty trick, but the prudent will see through the deceit and realize the naked truth that the emperor isn't wearing any clothes and he isn't very pretty. The gospel of the mutant messenger is a false gospel, its prophet a false prophet. There really is no need to go on a vicarious journey with Marlo Morgan and be 'enlightened', because her apparent enlightenment is only another form of spiritual darkness. Certainly there are problems with our modern world, and Morgan has highlighted some of them, but the answer to this darkness is not a false gospel, but the true gospel which alone gives the lasting solution to sin. Its prophets do not proclaim the emperors new clothes, but about the king's clothes, clothes of righteousness which offer lasting salvation for all who believe. -GODLY GADFLY

Rating:
Summary: Good, down to earth read!
Review: I purchased this book because i loaned it out a few years ago and never saw it again. It's lovely. It's also good for people who are looking for a relaxing kind of book, one that doesn't get you too worked up.

Rating:
Summary: Inspirational
Review: This is a great book which makes you realize what is most important in life. I have passed this one around to all my friends. An easy read, enjoy it!

Rating:
Summary: Focus on the message.
Review: Fact or fiction, this book offers a touching and insightful view of the Aborigine culture and world view. It is easily dismissed as "new age-y" because of the magical way in which Morgan relates the culture and her experience as a white American woman on a walkabout with an Aborigine tribe. In order to appreciate the story, don't get too caught up in the truth or untruth, rather, focus on the message it contains... respect for nature, for one another, interconnectedness, and magic... and you will enjoy it. :)

Rating:
Summary: I believe it :)
Review: I love this book through and through. It is such an inspiration to me! It really opens my eyes to materialism and the things of this world and that we need to appreciate other matters, such as friendship and family -- rather than credit cards and money. I highly recommend this book. You won't regret reading it. It will mean something different and special to you everytime you read it.

Rating:
Summary: Mutant Message Down Under Critique
Review: The book Mutant Message was very educational in the values and beliefs of realism. This book was not only interesting, it also gave the reader a new outlook on life and other cultures. It was an easy read filled with adventure and compassion. We recommend this book to mature adults (high school senior level). This book deals with real life contreversial issues. We rated it a four star!