Review: From Ashes Into Light

From Ashes Into Light

by Gudrun Mouw

Why did you choose this book? The synopsis interested me

When did you read this book? December 2016

Who should read this book? Readers who enjoy mystical or spiritual stories

Source: Library Thing Early Reviewers

My Rating:  DNF

Here is a synopsis of From Ashes Into Light from Goodreads

From Ashes into Light is a transpersonal tale of epic tragedy, spirituality, family, and personal redemption. It is told through three distinct voices: the hauntingly tragic story of Ruth, a Jewish adolescent during Kristallnacht in Austria, Saqapaya, a stalwart Native American from coastal California during the time of the Spanish conquest, and Friede Mai.

My Review

I received a copy of this book through the Library Thing Early Reviewers last fall. I’m sorry to say that this one was just not for me. The synopsis sounded great, but even though I tried I just could not finish it. I got almost all the way through — chapter 36 of 44 chapters — when I realized that I was not going to come away from this with a good reading experience whether or struggled through and finished the book or whether I set it aside to move on to something else.  I chose to set it aside.

I'm not sure why this was such a negative experience for me. The synopsis was promising, but I never was able to relate to any of the characters, and I never really understood what was going on. I know it was supposed to be spiritual, but for me it was confusing. I felt that somehow I was supposed to feel a connection between the characters and the the author was trying to deliver a message that I never connected with.

I've seen good reviews from other readers, and the book rates 3.44 stars on Goodreads, so there is obviously an audience for this book — I’m just not part of that audience. Hopefully your experience with the book will be much better if you choose to read it.

I won a copy of this book through the Library Thing Early Reviewers program.