Rating: 
Summary: Recycled from the leftover notes from her first book?
Review: After reading Ms. Morgans first of her Real People tales, I was left with a sort of warm glow from the lessons contained within the pages, but a little rattled by the heavy handedness. Then I came across the controversy surrounding the actuality of her stated experiences. Still I had liked what she had said in her first book, so I picked up her second. Sadly, I found it to be both a plodding reworking of her first effort that became over burdened with it's own pedantic preachiness. Yes, yes, European man bad, indigenous Australian good. We *got* it the first time. We learn of some of the specific atrocities committed by the acts of the not Real People, but presented in a style that I can only feel was exploitive to Ms. Morgan's own purpose. Cultural jingoism is still jingoismif it purports to be The Answer. I am wholeheartedly against killing puppies, giving hysterectomies to nine year old little girls and ripping babies from their mothers arms. I'm also against high-handed superior lording over others like almost every single European-Australian does in these books. I am all for gratitude and gentle co-habitation with all beings on this planet - but having said that, I got tired of the high handedness of the tones of this book.I also don't appreciate fiction being passed off as fact. Someone seems to be fooling herself. Either that or we're the chumps. Yann Martel had the decency to present his "Life of Pi" as the fiction it is. I think this makes it even more true. Ms. Morgan may want to consider her own lessons. Always Truth. (See the Dumbartung Aboriginal site for feedback from Aboriginal Australians to these books)
Rating: 
Summary: I will throw this away rather than pass it on
Review: because I think it is badly written fiction which I cannot believe is based on any kind of fact based research. Yet the author is seemingly representing the "teaching" herein as "aboriginal". She does the Indigenous people of Australia and the reading public a grave disservice by continuing to represent herself as someone who is a "messenger" for this culture. There is nothing wrong with the lessons themselves, and no doubt they are appealing to the New Age fan, but it is arrogant to continue making money by tapping into a Western love of the "other" and exploiting a people who have asked her to stop it. She publicly apologized to eight Aboriginal elders in January of 1996 but she continues to capitalize on the midleading impression that her first book was reality based. In this book she prints a picture of herself with Burnum Burnum who publicly severed ties with her and the first book in March of 1996 in a statement wherein he made it clear that he is was a non-initiated, non-traditional, urbanised Aboriginal from the East Coast of Australia. Since he passed away in 1997 he cannot protest her exploiting his image. Anyone who is interested in what actual Aboriginals have to say about this woman and her "message" should check out the Dumbartung Aboriginal site and read about the investigation they have done into this woman, her background and her supposed experience with "the tribal people". When this pseudo-anthro fantasy is accepted by the mainstream reading community as the truth a great disservice is being done to Australian Aboriginals who are real people trying to make a place for themselves in a world in which they have been denied equal access. It is deeply disturbing that this exploitation of Indigenous culture continues in the 21st century. My book club selected this book and against my better judgement I purchased it - for that I am truly sorry.
Rating: 
Summary: Prophetic,compelling, and unsettling: an ancient dear memory
Review: I find this book to be prophetic, for it touches on much of the unnamed 'dis-ease'in our own culture, religions, and time in history. Don't know that I've ever read anything so compelling. Our estrangement from nature has caused its own illness, but we've not yet recognized that to be true. I find this book hopeful, and it's a point of no return, I trust, once it has been read. Integrating its' message personally and communally lies before me. I am a Sister of Mercy, so the poor portrayal of my own community hurts. I acknowledge the weakness and brokenness in me and in all of us, and would like to know from Marlo why she chose us to be the callous people we appeared to be in the book. It was difficult to read lots of it because of my love for my community, and at the same time, I am very aware it is time for humility among all of us as a people that we've not prior lived. The portrayal of Caucasian European influence was so painful yet not unknown. In our own becoming, we do need to acknowledge the effects on others and ourselves of past/present attitudes and behaviors, so we can reclaim, as for the first time, our own dearness. It feels like a long road ahead of us, but I'm grateful for the part this novel plays in helping us to see anew. Would like an opportunity to speak with the author. She has a major assignment in our times. Thanks. Bernadette Kinniry, RSM
Rating:
Summary: Awful
Review: I had to read this book for book club, and I'm disgusted. There's a big difference between a "spiritual" book and one that's just boring, poorly written and preachy. I hated the last half of this book so much, I had to force myself to trudge through it. If you want a spiritually inspirational book, read "The Alchemist," by Paulo Coelho. It makes you think, instead of groan.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book!
Review: I loved it! I couldn't put it down. Wonderful story with a message.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book!
Review: I loved it! I couldn't put it down. Wonderful story with a message.
Rating: 
Summary: I learned a lot...
Review: I started out loving this book; I had read the first book and it was great, but I thought this one would be even better, because she is a really great storyteller. I found the story of the twins intriguing, heartbreaking touching. I was thrilled at the way the story wove between the two separated children. It was quite Dickensian, actually, with good peripheral characters and great descriptive paragraphs and interesting conversations. However, it suddenly changed simply to the girl twin, or rather, it was mostly her story, and though I learned a lot about the aborigine's oppression and want to know more in that vein, I was disappointed that the story became more and more didactic and mostly about the one character. In other words, the second part of the book didn't hold up like the first did. It was as if the author couldn't sustain a truly dramatic story of lost children. I wanted a juicier "tale," if you will.
Rating:
Summary: Mutant Message From Forever
Review: Marlo Morgan's second volume is captivating by its sheer, simple beauty right from the first page. I thought her first book was entertaining,educational and haunting. I enjoyed this one even more; it is quite different, though the lessons similar. I am happy to note that the "civilised" world is finally coming around to those ancient truths. I found the scene of the twin's birth absolutely breathtaking and glorious - what a way to begin a book! Throughout the book it seems clear that the two are destined to meet again and I almost dreaded the "cliche ending" I felt was bound to come. I was wrong. I could not have imagined a better and less expected ending. Brilliant! BRAVO! I plan to read this book again some day and have just obtained the first book so I may re-read it. Whether you read this as fiction (as some claim) or truth (as most believe) - it matters not. The spiritual messages are clear, true, universal, sound, loving and beautiful. Is that not what matters most?
Rating:
Summary: INSPIRING & INSIGHTFUL :0)
Review: Marlo, You've done a wonderful piece of work with this story. I honor your gifts. To all seeking spiritual enlightenment and wisdom, read this book. If you are seeking change, this book will enable you to change. Peace and bright blessings for all...MG Wells :0)
Rating:
Summary: Not as good but good!
Review: Not as good as her first book A Mutant Message Down Under. This book was ok but you know what they say. Nothing is as good as the original.
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