The Kin of Ata are Waiting for You (Paperback) - Common

by DorothyBryant

The Kin of Ata Are Waiting for You <> Paperback <> DorothyBryant <> RandomHouse

Genres: Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Utopia, Speculative Fiction, Classics, Spirituality

220 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

Reviews

[Olivia · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book opens with a man murdering a woman and then driving away, working out his alibi. As we go on, he attempts to rape another woman who has shown him particular kindness.

What can I say? I am really, really over graphic depictions of violence against women as a way for male characters to ultimately experience lessons and self growth.

I don't need to go along inside the head of a murdering rapist who hates women. Yes, yes, I'm sure he comes to some big revelation, but by the time i got to the rape scene I just threw the book across the room. Life is too short, and we deserve better.

[El · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally published in 1971 under the title The Comforter: A Mystical Fantasy, this is a novel that I think a lot of people would overlook as being some sort of New Age mumbo jumbo, the way people look at James Redfield or Carlos Castaneda. To each their own, I say. I will admit that what drew me to this book in the used bookstore was the title first and foremost - what an intriguing title, and how have I never heard of it before, and who is this Dorothy Bryant person anyway? And then secondly, bitch, that cover. Do you see that? That is some phallic shit going on, and far be it for me to turn down such a phallic-looking cover, especially a book I had never heard of before.

Turns out Dorothy Bryant is this mystical, feminist writer that I just somehow have never heard of. This is also her second book. Her first, I understand, was Ella Price's Journal, which I am fairly certain I have heard of at least.

This story bugged me for the same reason that Unveiling a Parallel: A Romance bugged me recently - here's a feminist text told from the perspective of a male. At least here, I believe, there was more point to that. The nameless character begins by being a real prick to his lady-friend and, in fact, actually kills her after treating her like some shit. He drives off, crashes, and wakes up surrounded by these humanoids in a seemingly different world. They help him heal, he learns their language, he makes just as many poor decisions in this new land as he did in his original lifestyle. Bad behavior is frowned upon in Ata, donagdeo, but it is not prevented. They allow people to essentially let people make their mistakes and then remind them the reason they feel like shit is because they did a shitty thing. Do good, nagdeo, and you feel better. And have useful dreams.

Dreams are important to the kin of Ata. The protagonist learns that the people of Ata live and breathe based on the dreams they have. Very Jungian in that sense, these people dream, wake up, tell their friends about said dreams, and, if possible, bring them to reality. If you dream about planting grains somewhere? Wake up and plant them fucking grains right where you dreamed. If you dream about having sex with someone? Wake up and sex that shit up.

I can see plenty of flaws with the way it's portrayed in the novel, but I do find dreams fascinating, Jung's theories also fascinating, and I will admit to letting my dreams sway my decisions sometimes more than I probably should. So I get it. I probably would do pretty well in Ata.

Of course the protagonist's life is changed by his experiences in Ata, but it does take a while. It takes folks a while to become woke, which Bryant seemed to understand, so she really dragged it out. I think this is where she was making a point - if she had written this from a female perspective, things probably would have moved a bit quicker, but men being sort of slow anyway... well. You get it.

The back cover says this book "has been called a love story, science fiction, Jungian myth and utopian allegory." Yep, I can see all of that. As far as a utopian perspective, since this is an interest of mine anyway, it suffers from some of the usual utopian lit mistakes such as preachiness, not a lot of action, etc., but I will say that Bryant managed to do this one slightly better than many others I have read. The protagonist really does experience as he learns, which is unusual. His knowledge is mostly acquired by the stories and conversations of others, but because too much talking is considered donagdeo to the kin of Ata, they only let him ask so many questions before they stop answering him. I do like that approach and I may adopt it myself.

I read that this is considered Alice Walker's favorite novel. I find that incredible, especially in that it does not seem to be a very popular book anymore, if it ever was. But Alice Walker still remains an author that people search out.

I do recommend this if you can get your hands on a copy. It may not be easy to find, but it's as relevant a read today as it was in 1971 when it was first published as a novella, and in 1976 when it was published as the book as it is here. It is, in a way, timeless, though of course there are comments made and thoughts by the nameless narrator that are cringe-worthy because one hopes that people aren't that shitty anymore. But of course, that's not true, people are shitty all over the place, just turn on the news.

Which is why, I think, I appreciate this book as much as I do. It's sort of trippy, but we could all benefit from adopting more of the ways of the kin of Ata.

[PJ Swanwick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the book I’ve been longing to find: A gem of a story that’s been waiting for rediscovery as new age fiction. Dorothy Bryant’s 1971 novel, originally promoted as science fiction, is described as “part love story, part science fiction, and at once Jungian myth and utopian allegory.” But by today’s standards, it’s a straightforward exploration of connecting to the highest and best parts of ourselves and living according to that guidance.

Story: The kin of Ata live only for the dream. Their work, their art, their love are designed in and by their dreams, and their only aim is to dream higher dreams. Into the world of Ata comes a desparate man, who is first subdued and then led on the spiritual journey that, sooner or later, all of us must make (back cover).

Spiritual/metaphysical content: Very high. Berkley Monthly called the novel “a beautiful, symbolic journey of the soul,” but there’s very little about it that’s symbolic when read as new age fiction. Here’s my description of the story: When a famous writer hits bottom, he wakes up in what appears to be a simple commune from the Sixties that practices all the fundamental truths of most religious, spiritual, and self-help philosophies: Life in the moment. Connect with your higher self/guide/God for guidance. You cannot judge good or bad, right or wrong, true or false; truth is relative. You cannot heal the mind without also addressing the body and spirit, and much more. In addition, the book is compatible with Christian beliefs (at least the more modern interpretations of the Bible). As the man learns more about the kin of Ata, he realizes what a complex, spiritually advanced group they are despite–or perhaps because of–their seeming simplicity. The people of Ata live in a way that is free of sin, guilt, exclusion, worry, and pain, and yet is joyful, productive, and satisfying both in body and spirit.

My take: This is a well-written, lyrical novel that exemplifies new age fiction at perhaps its finest. Although the book is quite short, the plot is strong and compelling, and we come to love the characters and yearn for their success. Although clearly utopian, the story proposes an integrated vision of a future that is both functional and inspirational.

I loved this book. Part of its allure is its depth; it can be read at multiple levels: as an intriguing trifle of sci-fi/fantasy, an introduction to broader spiritual principles, or an insightful analysis of some of modern society’s ills and how new age/metaphysical thought can not only ease the many sufferings of our world but also provide a model of sustainable growth and development. Please don’t get me wrong–at heart, this is a relatively simple book, but it contains profound insights for spiritual growth. And best of all, it’s an easy, entertaining read. Entertain and educate–the perfect combination for new age fiction.

The title confounds me a bit because it sheds very little light on what the book is actually about; the back cover description suffers from this shortcoming as well. I suspect that it was a marketing decision in 1971 to promote a book that so clearly had literary value but fell into no recognizable genre (again, a case for the genre for new age fiction). In today’s market, the title does the reader a disservice by not indicating the spiritual depth of the novel. As with Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, that may have been the price for getting published nearly forty years ago. Interestingly, the book was originally published in 1971 under the title The Comforter, which again seems unrelated to what the book is actually about. I am researching Dorothy Bryant’s other novels for similar themes; Confessions of Madame Psyche looks interesting. Can anyone recommend her other works?

For more reviews of spiritual/metaphysical novels, see Fiction For A New Age.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cover is hysterically phallic with representations of both male and female genitalia. That was my first impression before opening the book. This is not surprising considering that the book deals with dreams. Freud was one of the forerunners in dream psychology in which dreams often contained sexual overtones. The theories of Jung, a colleague of Freud, is listed as an influence on the back cover synopsis. The book and it's contents contain less sexual references than one would presume. I was initially turned off by the behavior and mindset of the book's arrogant protagonist and had difficulty reading the first few chapters. I continued reading and found wonderful character growth, development and transformation which can be compared to climbing Maslow's heirarchy of needs: basic needs (air, water, food, shelter, sleep, sex), safety and security, love and belongingness, self actualization (vitality, creativity, self-sufficiency, authenticity, playfulness, meaningfulness). The book describes a transformation, redemption and the ability of humankind to chose their path no matter how far off course they have veered in their search for the truth. Uplifting.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one, like Illusions by Richard Bach, which I’ve read several times over the years. Because I am different every time I read them, they never fail to point out yet another lesson and keep my attention riveted.

The main character in The Kin of Ata had led a seamy, notorious life. A set of circumstances occurred: He had a car accident, veered off a cliff and crashed. He should have been dead. Instead, he was found and taken to a place where dreams of the night held value, and ideals common to true spiritual traditions were actually lived.

The contrast between who he was and where he now found himself was bewildering and painful to him. He attempted to make himself right and others wrong. But something happened along the way. He experienced an awakening.

That’s all I will say. The beauty is in the unfolding of the story. The surprise that awaits will keep you glued until the utter end. This is a classic.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the first chapter of this book on a thursday, didnt pick it up again until the next monday in which I read the entire book. After I turned the last page and finally closed the book I was sad to put it down.

The Kin of Ata is ultimately a story of spiritual growth mixed with a love story, thrown in with touches of feminism and psychology and philosophy. It makes you think of human nature and also questions the accepted ways people on earth currently live.

Do yourself a favor and pick it up, it's a quick and pretty simple read but its packed with great content and a good intent.

[Ms. Jared · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't love it. Apparently I'm a freak coz it's supposedly one of Alice Walker's favorite books and is a big hit on Goodreads but I was kind of "meh" about the whole thing.

I thought the writing was clunky and none of the characters drew me in or compelled me to keep reading. I really only finished it coz I kept thinking there was gonna be a big payoff at the end since so many people had recommended it and it has such great reviews. There wasn't.

I appreciated the nods to Buddhism and all of the religious, spiritual, and ethical themes, but I still found the writing plain, predicable and rather boring.

Also, the rape. White guy rapes black woman and we're somehow just supposed to brush it off as a learning experience or something? I couldn't get past it and was never able to connect with the narrator. And it's a Bechdel Test Fail.

[Bogi Takács]

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Actual review coming on Tor.com once I write it (IY"H), and I have things scheduled quite far ahead, so it will take a while. But in the meanwhile, I do NOT recommend this book. Definitely of historical gender-in-SFF interest, but just terrible all-round otherwise.
_____
Source of the book: Book swap

[Kenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

My short and simple review: Read this book!!!

[Luke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Utopian scenarios are very much hit and miss these days, as conventional/personal utopias often leave some aspect of respect for my identity and well being lacking, which, surprise! Is unacceptable. TKofAAWfY may have survived on my TBR list for quite some time, but overall, it was alternatively boring, predictable, trite, or overwhelmingly kitsch, and it is extremely hard to get any valuable insight from such a combination. Add in that it's some spoiled, probably white, boy redeeming himself on the back of a black woman, and you have a nasty piece of fairy tale that barely takes responsibility for anything it propagates and chooses instead to gloss over all of it as a simple matter of technology weeded out of the noble savage trope. Queerness, mental illness, disability, and all aspects of perceived gender, race, etc all necessitate respect for a society to become a truly civilized machine, and the text's attempt at such earned it one star above the bottom, but not in the uncritical, magically telepathic mess that's written here.

There's an exercise I've taught repeatedly in an SAT lesson that has to do with reading and answering questions about sample texts extracted from from works written in the late 18th century about how the US government should be. In it, the author invokes precedence after precedence after precedence about why it would be a horrible idea for the United States to be simply Massachusetts and Vermont and New York, pointing at examples ranging from the past Roman Empire to the contemporaneous (at the time) British Empire in response to arguments that commercial relations and/or republican democracy would lead to peace on earth and no need for ongoing critical dialectic. It's the most long winded and complicatedly syntaxed calling of bullshit I've seen in a long time, but my reactions to TKofAAWfY matches the long ago author's reaction to the idea of no federal government. Build as perfect a social machine as you like: without space, or even the language, for the individual to communicate with individual in critical terms, the machine is destined for disaster. On more specific notes, the normalization of pedophilia was a bit much, as well as the whole mystical body language overriding need for actual communication that neurotypicals so love to spout on about. It makes for a world that will never be truly accessible. As such, if I had to choose between the eugenics here and the eugenics there, at least here I can do something about it.

To sum it up, this book was a lot of wishful thinking fluff. It might be sci fi, but it's preachy and lackadaisical enough that one must evaluate the judgment along with the narrative to find any worth in it, and what worth there is falls apart when push comes to shove. If embodied in the form of a person, this book would be the sort who is "nice" to people, but refuses to apologize or evolve in response to evidence that whatever they consider "nice" isn't good enough. All in all, a bit of a slog, if thankfully short, and I'm glad I can finally take this off my shelves.

[Deb Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

To read this book is to lose yourself in a dream and wake up not quite sure how everything fit together but feeling better for having experienced the dream

[Shellie (Layers of Thought) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for a class that I attended at a Liberal Studies Program - Hutchins School at Sonoma State University in CA. It was quite awhile ago, so my memory of the book has faded. The class was regarding consciousness and reality where this was a perfect book for the subject matter of the course.

It's an easy and short read about an alternative reality/utopia where the members lived in an egalitarian society. They resided peacefully, worked together and for the most part got along. Here is where the story gets interesting... it was how the group socially handled a negative behavior by the main character which gives the book an interesting twist. I see it as the author's way of letting the reader see an unusual and peaceful way of dealing with human transgressions. I will say no more, but was their punishment of this transgression realistic? I don't thinks in our current state of social development it is. However, reading the book lead the class into some interesting thoughts and conversations on the nature of society, crimes, punishments, and reality.

I recommend this book for readers interested in feminist fantasy, those who question our social mores, and anyone interested in alternative societies and utopias.

[Heidi Nobantu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book ~ teaching wrapped up as a good page turner/mystery. I have heard about it over the years and it showed up as a recommendation at the perfect moment, the ending of a heart relationship. Reading it took me through the first weeks after parting and it was soothing and inspiring at the same time.

[Charles Daube · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this book completely blind with no idea what to expect. This is wonderfully rare type of novel, perfectly suited to my tastes and imagination.

[Trine · Rating 1 out of 5]

It feels like the main character is written by a man (derogatory). Also fuck violence against women as means for a man to grow?! Never forgave him.

[Crystal Gempko · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is quite frankly, one of the best books that I have ever read. Absolutely remarkable.

[Lyuba · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Kin of Ata are Waiting for You is the book my Sci-Fi and Fantasy bookclub chose for the month of January. I'd never heard of the book or the writer and seeing as it was published in 1971 I was a bit apprehensive going in. Most of the western Sci-Fi books published in the 60s and 70s do not appeal to me for whatever reason. Not so with Dorothy Bryant's book. I absolutely loved it and definitely want to read more of her work.

It is hard to describe the plot of this book. It is much better to just read it. At only 220 pages it is compulsively readable, but also quite profound in its message. Our main character is a successful crime fiction writer who lives his life in utter dissipation until one day he kills the woman he sleeps with in a fit of anger. Determined to fool the police he flees the house in his car only to get into a horrible accident. And this is when the main story begins. Our nameless narrator wakes up in a strange place surrounded by strange people who speak the language he does not understand. So begins one of the most profound spiritual journeys I have ever read a fictional account of.

One of the main reasons I really like this book is because Bryant is not afraid to take her character on this journey of spiritual self-discovery. Modern authors tend to shun anything remotely religious in nature. Not so in this novel. Bryant's character goes through tremendous spiritual transformation and growth. The book also presents the reader with the view that all religions are basically only dim echos and feeble attempts at describing the universal Truth that is the foundation of all life and meaning. I highly recommend this book. 5 out of 5 stars. I am definitely interested in reading more of Bryant's work.

[Stuart · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book I would classify as just not my cup of tea.

The idea was interesting, a man whose life is spiraling downhill because of his uncontrolled demons, is transported to a mysterious island where the people lead a simple life. There he discovers the real life force hidden behind daily life. I can see how the book would appeal to some. My problem was that I disliked the main character and I found the islanders and their life style annoying. It is someone else's vision for the meaning of life, a philosophy if you will, that does not appeal to me. I guess the Kin of Ata aren't waiting for me.

[Michele forinash · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book probably in the 1980s while in graduate school. I didn't remember much of it but did know I loved it. I just re-read it 30 some years later. While there are clearly some issues that arise based on when it was written I still find it a book about an amazing spiritual journey, similar in some ways for me to The Alchemist. I'm a bit chilled to the bone about reading it now and some similarities in my own life-a broken leg and a long recovery and a sense of an alternate world. A very compelling book.

[Jack]

Refreshingly different. Easily one of those books that stays with you weeks, months or even years after you have read it.

I've read it several times, usually 2-3 years apart. Each time I understand more of how it has affected my world view.

I read 40-50 books per year. I'd put this book in my "Top Ten Best Books I Have Read In My Lifetime" list. (I'm 70 years old) It's in there with Walden, Dune, Siddartha, etc.

[Alayna Josz · Rating 5 out of 5]

really up there as one of my all time favorite books. it's extremely unusual it its dream like setting, so symbolic and really a worth while read for anyone with a heart. god that sounds corny but really this book is a great right of passage for any young reader, and if you haven't read it yet and youre an adult, then i think you should go to your library and request a copy. :) because... the Kin of Ata.. are waiting for you.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book and I immediately had to write about how good it was. It's one of those books that, once finished, aren't actually over. I can tell I'm going to be thinking about it fortl the next few days and trying to find the rhythm of Ata myself, doing as much donego as I can.

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 star rating from when I was a teen.

Revisited in 2023 and through different eyes it is still an excellent book. I was surprised that I didn't remember what a terrible person the protagonist was and almost didn't want to continue reading it. Glad I did.

[opensunflowers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a strange book. I feel as if knowing the ending would enhance the beginning, so I'm going to read it again. Definitely something that stuck with me about independence, morals, and how we relate to each other.

[Sarah Irani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlike any other book I’ve read

This is my second reading. I first read it 15 years ago. This book is far ahead of its time, incredibly visionary. The first chapter is a little weak, as it has to set up an improbable tale, but once you get to Ata, you will be spellbound.

[Jai Jai · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of those novels ahead of its time. I first read it in the last 1970's and it has stayed with me for decades. Reread it now, during our present multiple crisis' and believe it is an extremely relevant book. I want to find copies to hand out to friends.

[Aliya McCord · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely horrendous main character from the start, however you come to realize he is written as Dorothy intended him to be, to prove the point of Ata. Graphic depictions of violence made it hard to get through at times, however the book overall was well written and has a beautiful ending.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fabulous book--turned my thinking around--fantasy and about the human condition.

[Kelly Coogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY NEW FAVORITE BOOK.

[Carol Harlow]

Loved it.