Rainbow Circle, AUS$21.95, ISBN 064638104X
Spirituality, 2000

Poor The Celestial Crossroads – I’m afraid it has found the wrong audience in me. I’m not even sure if I should classify this book as fiction or nonfiction, because I’m sure there’s some deep, spiritual inner message somewhere in here that I’m supposed to get. I must be uncool or even obtuse, because I don’t get any subliminal messages of enlightenment. I’m – dare I say it? – confused.

The story is basically a first-person narration of Englishwoman Marianne who has just experienced a relationship breakup. While browsing through an antique store, she meets an enigmatic man named Dominic who passes her the Book of Saints. She discovers some cryptic riddles leading to the possible location of the Holy Grail, and with Dom by her side as guide, embarks on a trip of spiritual self-discovery.

Thing is, I am more bewildered than anything by the use of terms like World’s End and Path of Joy, or the way Dom keeps telling Marianne cryptic things like “This is your treasure trail!” Speaking of which, the kind of “treasure trail” I am familiar with is something that is best not found on a woman. These terms are never explained, so I can’t help feeling maybe I’m supposed to know these terms. Am I supposed to be in some sort of spiritual movement to understand this story? I really don’t understand a thing going on here, and I end up feeling like an insignificant speck of dust in face of the whole scheme of existence (gee, I’m sounding like Dom already) – lost and confused.

Maybe someone who’s into these sort of books would love The Celestial Crossroads. I must say it has a great atmospheric feel though – I love the vivid descriptions of English countrysides. Until then, farewell Dom and Marianne, I now embark on my own Path of Enlightenment, en route the TV and the more mundane pleasures of a chocolate chip ice cream tub.