The Awakening

by Richard M. Eyre

He calls himself Paul Woodcock, but that's not his real name. His friends don't know who he is. Even he doesn't know who he is. He has lost his memory, and with it his identity. This Man's search for identity is the theme of this unusual novel. The quest takes him across the United States and to Europe and the Caribbean. The searcher learns that there are deeper identities to be uncovered than just his name, and his quest expands and deepens as these possibilities emerge. Filled with intrigue, suspense and thought-provoking questions, The Awakening is a first-class story.

Genres: Fiction, Lds

190 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1981

Reviews

[Celese · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was truly a journey for me. I learned from it. The author had a unique way of writing and a very unique way of seeing things. I loved it.

One word of note to:
There were parts in there that would begin to discuss things that I believe. I thought that since I already understood the concepts I didn't need to read that section. Every single time I went back to read it, though, and every single time I saw things differently and reached a new level of understanding. Don't skip anything just because you think you already understand it.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so happy I picked up this book. The author did a wonderful job of interweaving a man with amnesia seeking to know his physical identity with the thought of we as individuals seeking our spiritual identity. Very quick & thought provoking read.

[Luann · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I think of this story as an allegory, I like it a lot. We don't remember our life before this one, and reading about Paul rediscovering who he is without the memory of his previous life to help him is very interesting. It brings up questions I like to think about.

When I think of this story just in terms of the story, it all starts to fall apart for me with the "diamond caper" in England. That part felt very improbable and quite cheesy to me. I had a hard time with much of the story after that, but started to come around again towards the end.

So while this wasn't a top favorite, I did enjoy thinking of this story on a deeper level. It's the shallow level I had a harder time with. I definitely don't regret reading it and would recommend it to others who want to think about things like who they are, why they are here, and what brings joy.

[Lorena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as a teenager and loved it! It influenced my life in a powerful way!

[Camerondubray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am enjoying this book, I found it on my shelf and have not been able to put it down.