HALL WAYS REVIEW: Audio Book Review: Einstein’s Compass is a HIGHLY imaginative mix of historical fact, biblical and mythological references, and spiritual mysticism that will keep readers’ brains whirling and fully engaged.
“He held his breath as the stink of foul, stale blood
and dark purpose filled the air.”
Figurative language coupled with rich, detailed descriptions make it easy to imagine the fantastic, but it also makes it easy to get bogged down in it. Though the narrator is spectacular, I think it would have been easier for me to absorb the more technical or spiritual elements of the book by reading with my eyes or better — enjoying the book through a combination of print and audio so I could re-read passages and see spellings of words and names.
I very much enjoy how Einstein’s Compass offers readers a full fantasy experience but also ties it into characters based in history – namely Albert Einstein, but also in religious history, like Moses and Ezekiel, for example, and how there is a whole team of otherworldly beings at work behind the scenes influencing the direction of the world. These actors exist in history, in parallel worlds, and even in limbo as they transition from death to after-life. The bottom line of the book implies that there is much divine and/or otherworldly guidance and intervention in the lives of some – like Albert Einstein – whose paths are meant for greatness.
“My only god is mathematics.”
The story provides a good window into the likely frustration that a young, brilliant Einstein had with classmates and adults who didn’t understand and/or felt intimidated by his intelligence. Also, it is interesting to view young Einstein in context of his being a Jew when already the anti-Semitism is building up and he and others are being singled-out and persecuted.
At special times in human evolution, a traveler is given the keys to soul transcendence: The practices that awaken the awareness of oneself as a soul and as more than that, knowing their oneness with God. This is not a theoretical understanding, but the actual experience of that living reality.
The story gets a little deep at times and includes challenging vocabulary, which could lose some readers. There are astral planes and light travelers (Jesus being the first of the latter), plus there is seduction and references to arousal in the story, so it’s probably more geared for mature, advanced young adult readers. I recommend the book for readers who can go in with open minds and seek new experiences and viewpoints likely different from anything they’ve read before. Einstein’s Compass would be an excellent book for reading clubs because it begs to be discussed.
ABOUT THE NARRATION: Narrator Curt Bonnem does an outstanding job performing the voices of a huge cast of characters, both male and female (and genderless), in a variety of accents, of those both good and evil. I especially liked his voicing of Jehovah — the ultimate good guy, and Raka – the ultimate bad guy. There were no technical issues with the recording, and I listened at regular speed and was never impatient with the pace.
Thank you to the author for providing me an audio book download in exchange for my honest opinion – the only kind I give.
The tour is being sponsored by Grace Blair. The gifting of this audio book did not affect my opinion of it.
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What a difference audio makes over the voice in my head. Nicely done, Grace.
Thank you for taking time to listen to the world of Einstein’s Compass a YA Time Traveler Adventure”. Curt Bonnem owned the story with his many character voices.