What do you think?
Rate this book
Finding Emmaus: The Lodestarre - Book One
Other than the very young and the very old, the most vulnerable people in our society are the mentally ill - or those who are deemed to be. After all, with a documented history of mental illness, even in face of the most deplorable abuse, who's going to listen? And in our world, like it or not, if you have no voice, you have no power. Finding Emmaus is a dark, fictional but historically, factually and medically accurate story which is experienced through the lives of two people who discover in adulthood that they are not mentally ill, but are in reality extraordinarily gifted. And because of that, and because of the appalling things that happen to each of them during the time they believe themselves to be ill, they each embark on personal journeys - Frank in the 1600's and Katherine in present day - find a way to transcend time and death, actually meet each other, and then work together to save millions of others who've been ostracized from society and are being victimized because they, too, are considered to be mentally ill. And in the process, Frank and Katherine find themselves embroiled in a real-life, multi-billion-dollar conspiracy.
431 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2009
13 people want to read
About the author
Pamela S.K. Glasner
3 books3 followersPamela S. K. Glasner is an author, most recently having completed book one of a historically accurate, dark fantasy series based concurrently in the 17th and 21st centuries.
Pamela was born in New York City in 1953. Just prior to her eighteenth birthday, her family relocated to Connecticut, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in English and secondary education from Eastern Connecticut State University.
Until recently she was a Real Estate Developer, acquiring blighted and/or abandoned antique urban apartment buildings, restoring them to their original beauty and then providing safe and decent housing for men coming out of prisons and shelters.
In 2007 she was honored with the coveted "Historic Preservation Award" for her exceptional work on a 100+ year-old building which is on the National Registry of Historic Places. Shortly thereafter, Pamela made the decision to divest herself of her real estate holdings in order to pursue her first love - writing - on a full-time basis.
A former English teacher, Pamela is also a Registered Reader at both the Royal Society of London and the British Library, as well as a member of the Connecticut Historical Society and the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films. She has enjoyed teaching and addressing groups on a variety of topics, lecturing regularly on subjects relating to the real estate industry and, most recently, her new fantasy novel, “Finding Emmaus."
In addition to writing, Pamela loves losing herself in research, fine red wine, public speaking, and London, England . . . though not necessarily in that order.
Now residing in rural Connecticut, Pamela is at work on her second novel, book two of The Lodestarre series.
Pamela was born in New York City in 1953. Just prior to her eighteenth birthday, her family relocated to Connecticut, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in English and secondary education from Eastern Connecticut State University.
Until recently she was a Real Estate Developer, acquiring blighted and/or abandoned antique urban apartment buildings, restoring them to their original beauty and then providing safe and decent housing for men coming out of prisons and shelters.
In 2007 she was honored with the coveted "Historic Preservation Award" for her exceptional work on a 100+ year-old building which is on the National Registry of Historic Places. Shortly thereafter, Pamela made the decision to divest herself of her real estate holdings in order to pursue her first love - writing - on a full-time basis.
A former English teacher, Pamela is also a Registered Reader at both the Royal Society of London and the British Library, as well as a member of the Connecticut Historical Society and the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films. She has enjoyed teaching and addressing groups on a variety of topics, lecturing regularly on subjects relating to the real estate industry and, most recently, her new fantasy novel, “Finding Emmaus."
In addition to writing, Pamela loves losing herself in research, fine red wine, public speaking, and London, England . . . though not necessarily in that order.
Now residing in rural Connecticut, Pamela is at work on her second novel, book two of The Lodestarre series.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 1, 2011
"Finding Emmaus: The Lodestarre (Series Bk 1)
Here's a summary from the book jacket:
"The psychiatric community has confused Empathic personality traits with mental illness with tragic results, leading two Empaths -- Francis Nettleton and Katherine Spencer -- who live three hundred years apart, on personal journeys to learn the true nature of Empathy. Transcending time and death to right a centuries-old wrong, they inadvertently uncover a multibillion dollar conspiracy in which millions of Americans are being misdiagnosed and drugged for no other reason than the enormous income they generate."
"Finding Emmaus" is one of those books in which the author has a fabulous idea and great characters, but the book needs better editing. I enjoyed Ms Glasner's first book in the series, despite the fact that I thought it began to bog down in places. If one will understand this up-front, and will give allowance for the fact that it's a first book...I think it can be a worthwhile read, and certainly one that may produce a great series in the future! By her own confession, Ms Glasner, a high school English teacher, was surprised when she felt compelled to write this novel having had no experience with writing before.
In this first book, we hardly have time to get to know Katherine, though she is our first contact with the strange occurrence of "Empathy." It's through Katherine's psychiatrist that she's led from thinking of herself as insane and into researching information on Empaths. [Empaths are described as those who "can see, hear, feel, and communicate with spirits as if they are real people, based on the premise that spirits are pure energy, and that Empathy is, by definition, a reaction to pure energy."]
This sort of person or "condition" which is described to her by her psychiatrist, inevitably demands Katherine's taking a leap toward a journey of self-discovery...a discovery that might explain her seeming "madness" as something "other." She sets out with her doctor's guidance to search for Francis Nettleton who lived 300 years ago, and who called himself an Empath. If Nettleton's research proves true, much of what has been historically and currently diagnosed as insanity has actually been this phenomena.
With renewed hope, Katherine begins her quest by travelling to a sleepy, New England town in Connecticut, thought to be the home of this unproclaimed "Father of Empathy"...a man who actually lived and who is thought to have created a book of instructions or answers about Katherine's possible condition. Through a very rapid series of events, she becomes the owner of Emmaus, the home of Francis Nettleton, and she is ensconced in the local community.
Ms Glasner spends most of her book giving a background story of Francis Nettleton and his gathering information for the writing of the Lodestarre, his book of history, instructions, and answers for Empaths. She explains the Lodestarre to be more than a set of guiding principles, and "everything that Frank came to believe in throughout the course of his life." It is this journey of discovery that Frank makes and documents that we primarily learn of in "Finding Emmaus."
The author's writing style is clear and easy to read, not fussy, which I appreciate in such a novel. Ms Glasner tells her story as a sort of chronicle of this mysterious condition that early colonial settlers experienced, and which seemed to be hidden or at least kept guarded from others. I found this situation believable, particularly given what we now know about early settlers, their beliefs about witches, devil worshippers, and the inevitable Salem Witch Trials. We know from other historical records that those suspected of "madness" were kept in hidden parts of the house, or were found missing, or were sent to asylums/madhouses in the course of human history. So, I felt she portrayed this timeframe and the mindset of the people with accuracy.
What I found missing and what I had hoped for was a better sense of "showing" and not just "telling" the story. While we were given the meat of the stories about other Empaths, there were no real examples of interest to anchor them in our minds. This made Frank's journey hopeful for me, but not as enthralling as I'd hoped. The characters were well drawn in terms of period detail and personality, but they had little of interest to show to convince one of their strange and frightening skills. In a word, they were often dull, and their personal stories were somewhat shallow in the telling.
The collaboration of Katherine in the present and Frank of the past is an interesting concept. It's one that will certainly pool both of their resources for the good of Empaths they seek to free and absolve of the stigma of insanity in the 21st century.
In this sense, their unity will begin a battle with the physicans and drug companies that join forces, and gain money and influence by keeping such Empaths suppressed and imprisioned in mental hospitals...thus, giving hope to those prisoners of mind, spirit and body. Those seen in Katherine's time as the hopeless and insane; those viewed by big business as needing pharmaceuticals to keep them under control, subdued and socially acceptable, become the possible Empaths that are trapped and misdiagnosed for profit's sake. It's a good and worthy cause to bring enlightenment and to squelch the profits of a blighted medical/pharmaceutical corporation conspiracy.
But, I'm left questioning...is the the underling intent of the author's story?
Let's say that "Finding Emmaus: The Lodestarre Book 1" is about something more than the surface story and the secondary storylines. Let's say that this book is a story about the occult...the real occult. This is a story about: Those who, to quote our author, "can see, hear, feel, and communicate with spirits AS IF they are real people..." Let's say that this is actually a Lodestarre - Manual on How to Commune with These Spirits as mentioned above.
The author goes on to mention "the Shimmer," Frank's guide to his Empath gates. She talks about seeking occult gifts, about "familiars," and about heresy and that "everything is religion" including witchcraft. As an educated reader and student of comparative religions, I found "Finding Emmaus..." a thinly veiled attempt to present ancient, occult precepts, and communing with "spirits." Those of us who are familiar with the controversay of using Ouija Boards to contact "others who have died," will understand the incidious nature of this book's message.
I have no issue with authors who write books about the occult. I'm a staunch advocate of freedom of speech. I do wonder, however, in this case, why one would disguise it as a book about helping the insane who might only be misunderstood and empathetic (which meaning in the Oxford English Dictionary is: the ability to understand or share the feelings of someone else). At least, that's how I ultimately viewed the book. It seems only fair to be open with those who are choosing whether or not to read a certain book.
I believe Ms Glasner's course is varied and unclear in this initial book. There are so many directions she could take, and so many interesting turns! Perhaps those possiblities kept her focus a little off in the distance. Perhaps she needs to check with her spirit guide before she finishes Book 2... ;] I wish her well, and I wish her clarity.
Here's a summary from the book jacket:
"The psychiatric community has confused Empathic personality traits with mental illness with tragic results, leading two Empaths -- Francis Nettleton and Katherine Spencer -- who live three hundred years apart, on personal journeys to learn the true nature of Empathy. Transcending time and death to right a centuries-old wrong, they inadvertently uncover a multibillion dollar conspiracy in which millions of Americans are being misdiagnosed and drugged for no other reason than the enormous income they generate."
"Finding Emmaus" is one of those books in which the author has a fabulous idea and great characters, but the book needs better editing. I enjoyed Ms Glasner's first book in the series, despite the fact that I thought it began to bog down in places. If one will understand this up-front, and will give allowance for the fact that it's a first book...I think it can be a worthwhile read, and certainly one that may produce a great series in the future! By her own confession, Ms Glasner, a high school English teacher, was surprised when she felt compelled to write this novel having had no experience with writing before.
In this first book, we hardly have time to get to know Katherine, though she is our first contact with the strange occurrence of "Empathy." It's through Katherine's psychiatrist that she's led from thinking of herself as insane and into researching information on Empaths. [Empaths are described as those who "can see, hear, feel, and communicate with spirits as if they are real people, based on the premise that spirits are pure energy, and that Empathy is, by definition, a reaction to pure energy."]
This sort of person or "condition" which is described to her by her psychiatrist, inevitably demands Katherine's taking a leap toward a journey of self-discovery...a discovery that might explain her seeming "madness" as something "other." She sets out with her doctor's guidance to search for Francis Nettleton who lived 300 years ago, and who called himself an Empath. If Nettleton's research proves true, much of what has been historically and currently diagnosed as insanity has actually been this phenomena.
With renewed hope, Katherine begins her quest by travelling to a sleepy, New England town in Connecticut, thought to be the home of this unproclaimed "Father of Empathy"...a man who actually lived and who is thought to have created a book of instructions or answers about Katherine's possible condition. Through a very rapid series of events, she becomes the owner of Emmaus, the home of Francis Nettleton, and she is ensconced in the local community.
Ms Glasner spends most of her book giving a background story of Francis Nettleton and his gathering information for the writing of the Lodestarre, his book of history, instructions, and answers for Empaths. She explains the Lodestarre to be more than a set of guiding principles, and "everything that Frank came to believe in throughout the course of his life." It is this journey of discovery that Frank makes and documents that we primarily learn of in "Finding Emmaus."
The author's writing style is clear and easy to read, not fussy, which I appreciate in such a novel. Ms Glasner tells her story as a sort of chronicle of this mysterious condition that early colonial settlers experienced, and which seemed to be hidden or at least kept guarded from others. I found this situation believable, particularly given what we now know about early settlers, their beliefs about witches, devil worshippers, and the inevitable Salem Witch Trials. We know from other historical records that those suspected of "madness" were kept in hidden parts of the house, or were found missing, or were sent to asylums/madhouses in the course of human history. So, I felt she portrayed this timeframe and the mindset of the people with accuracy.
What I found missing and what I had hoped for was a better sense of "showing" and not just "telling" the story. While we were given the meat of the stories about other Empaths, there were no real examples of interest to anchor them in our minds. This made Frank's journey hopeful for me, but not as enthralling as I'd hoped. The characters were well drawn in terms of period detail and personality, but they had little of interest to show to convince one of their strange and frightening skills. In a word, they were often dull, and their personal stories were somewhat shallow in the telling.
The collaboration of Katherine in the present and Frank of the past is an interesting concept. It's one that will certainly pool both of their resources for the good of Empaths they seek to free and absolve of the stigma of insanity in the 21st century.
In this sense, their unity will begin a battle with the physicans and drug companies that join forces, and gain money and influence by keeping such Empaths suppressed and imprisioned in mental hospitals...thus, giving hope to those prisoners of mind, spirit and body. Those seen in Katherine's time as the hopeless and insane; those viewed by big business as needing pharmaceuticals to keep them under control, subdued and socially acceptable, become the possible Empaths that are trapped and misdiagnosed for profit's sake. It's a good and worthy cause to bring enlightenment and to squelch the profits of a blighted medical/pharmaceutical corporation conspiracy.
But, I'm left questioning...is the the underling intent of the author's story?
Let's say that "Finding Emmaus: The Lodestarre Book 1" is about something more than the surface story and the secondary storylines. Let's say that this book is a story about the occult...the real occult. This is a story about: Those who, to quote our author, "can see, hear, feel, and communicate with spirits AS IF they are real people..." Let's say that this is actually a Lodestarre - Manual on How to Commune with These Spirits as mentioned above.
The author goes on to mention "the Shimmer," Frank's guide to his Empath gates. She talks about seeking occult gifts, about "familiars," and about heresy and that "everything is religion" including witchcraft. As an educated reader and student of comparative religions, I found "Finding Emmaus..." a thinly veiled attempt to present ancient, occult precepts, and communing with "spirits." Those of us who are familiar with the controversay of using Ouija Boards to contact "others who have died," will understand the incidious nature of this book's message.
I have no issue with authors who write books about the occult. I'm a staunch advocate of freedom of speech. I do wonder, however, in this case, why one would disguise it as a book about helping the insane who might only be misunderstood and empathetic (which meaning in the Oxford English Dictionary is: the ability to understand or share the feelings of someone else). At least, that's how I ultimately viewed the book. It seems only fair to be open with those who are choosing whether or not to read a certain book.
I believe Ms Glasner's course is varied and unclear in this initial book. There are so many directions she could take, and so many interesting turns! Perhaps those possiblities kept her focus a little off in the distance. Perhaps she needs to check with her spirit guide before she finishes Book 2... ;] I wish her well, and I wish her clarity.
November 8, 2009
Finding Emmaus is a beginning. On a prosaic level, it’s the first volume in Pamela Glasner’s ‘Lodestarre’ series; but, more than this, the entire movement of the story is towards putting the pieces in place which (one assumes) will be played out in the rest of the series. The build-up is decent enough, but it leaves the book in an awkward position, as it feels to me that the most interesting stuff is yet to come.
The central conceit of Finding Emmaus is the existence of ‘Empathy’, a suite of psychic abilities (including, but not limited to, that of experiencing the feelings of others) which have been mistaken over the centuries for mental illness. Two narratives alternate: the first is the life-story of Francis Nettleton, an early settler of Conneticut. Tragedy stalks Frank’s life as he discovers his Empathic abilities; but he resolves as an adult to learn all he can about Empathy, and compile a ‘guidebook’ to the subject (which text he calls The Lodestarre). The second narrative is set in the present day, and follows Katherine Spencer; a parapsychologist friend suggests that her ‘bipolar disorder’ (which hasn’t responded to treatment) may actually be Empathy, and Katherine embarks on a journey in search of Frank Nettleton’s old house, Emmaus – and the lost manuscript of The Lodestarre.
The biggest problem with the novel, I find, is a lack of true involvement at the deeper level of the prose. For example, there’s a scene depicting a powerful sermon – but the preacher’s charisma stays on the page. We hear a lot about what Empathy is, what it involves… but I can’t say that the prose evoked for me a sense of what it feels like. There are other examples, but I think these suffice to illustrate my point: generally speaking, the words don’t do enough to create the affect of what they describe. There are some places where Glasner’s prose does work well – an early passage where Katherine hears an intruder in her house builds tension nicely, for example; and the book’s closing sentences stir the emotions – but they are too much the exception rather than the rule.
Another issue with Finding Emmaus is an awkwardness of structure. The alternation of Frank’s and Katherine’s stories sets up a nice rhythm for the novel; but, after Katherine finds the Lodestarre manuscript, the book changes gear – relationships change, and the issue of mistreatment of those deemed mentally ill (which has been bubbling under throughout) comes strongly to the fore. But all this is done rather too quickly, in a way that seems artificial and draws too much attention to itself, lessening the impact of this section.
The title of the novel doesn’t just refer to Frank’s house; to Katherine, Emmaus represents ‘shelter from the storm’ – a place where she can feel safe as an Empath and perhaps, by book’s end, a bastion against the coming storm… But to continue down that path would be to move beyond the present volume. And there’s the rub because, going back to what I said earlier, the present volume feels too much like the prelude to the main event – which is fine for the next book in the series, but less so for this one. Yes, Finding Emmaus is a beginning; but I wish it were a better whole.
The central conceit of Finding Emmaus is the existence of ‘Empathy’, a suite of psychic abilities (including, but not limited to, that of experiencing the feelings of others) which have been mistaken over the centuries for mental illness. Two narratives alternate: the first is the life-story of Francis Nettleton, an early settler of Conneticut. Tragedy stalks Frank’s life as he discovers his Empathic abilities; but he resolves as an adult to learn all he can about Empathy, and compile a ‘guidebook’ to the subject (which text he calls The Lodestarre). The second narrative is set in the present day, and follows Katherine Spencer; a parapsychologist friend suggests that her ‘bipolar disorder’ (which hasn’t responded to treatment) may actually be Empathy, and Katherine embarks on a journey in search of Frank Nettleton’s old house, Emmaus – and the lost manuscript of The Lodestarre.
The biggest problem with the novel, I find, is a lack of true involvement at the deeper level of the prose. For example, there’s a scene depicting a powerful sermon – but the preacher’s charisma stays on the page. We hear a lot about what Empathy is, what it involves… but I can’t say that the prose evoked for me a sense of what it feels like. There are other examples, but I think these suffice to illustrate my point: generally speaking, the words don’t do enough to create the affect of what they describe. There are some places where Glasner’s prose does work well – an early passage where Katherine hears an intruder in her house builds tension nicely, for example; and the book’s closing sentences stir the emotions – but they are too much the exception rather than the rule.
Another issue with Finding Emmaus is an awkwardness of structure. The alternation of Frank’s and Katherine’s stories sets up a nice rhythm for the novel; but, after Katherine finds the Lodestarre manuscript, the book changes gear – relationships change, and the issue of mistreatment of those deemed mentally ill (which has been bubbling under throughout) comes strongly to the fore. But all this is done rather too quickly, in a way that seems artificial and draws too much attention to itself, lessening the impact of this section.
The title of the novel doesn’t just refer to Frank’s house; to Katherine, Emmaus represents ‘shelter from the storm’ – a place where she can feel safe as an Empath and perhaps, by book’s end, a bastion against the coming storm… But to continue down that path would be to move beyond the present volume. And there’s the rub because, going back to what I said earlier, the present volume feels too much like the prelude to the main event – which is fine for the next book in the series, but less so for this one. Yes, Finding Emmaus is a beginning; but I wish it were a better whole.
January 1, 2016
“Finding Emmaus” by Pamela S. K. Glasner is one of the most fascinating novels I have read this year. The story takes place in a world where anyone who is too different is thought to have a mental illness and is often persecuted by those who don’t understand. The author takes 2 characters thought to be “ill” and separates them by 300 years then weaves their stories together to show that even though the medical treatments may have changed the acceptance of those who are different by society as a whole, has not.
It is the mid-1600’s and Frank Nettleton has just learned from his grandmother that his “dark days” are due to the fact that he is an empath. Unfortunately it will be many years before he really starts to understand what that means and, when he does, he decides to gather as much information as possible to create a guide for future empaths so they don’t have to go through the years of struggle that he and many others like him, had to endure. The final goal is to get his great work, called The Lodestarre, published but the time is not right and he dies without seeing his dream come to fruition.
Katherine Spencer has just found out that all those years of being diagnosed as “bipolar” may have been a mistake. The countless prescriptions and their debilitating side effects were all for nothing because she is, in fact, an empath. In her research to find out more about empathy she discovers a reference to a book that may have been written 300 years earlier and is excited by the prospect of a manual that could help her understand what is going on and how to live with it. Problem is no one knows if the book really exists as no one has ever been able to find it.
When Katherine sets out on a journey to find this missing book her life, and Frank’s, come together. The result of this intertwining of lives will rock the mental health world and strike fear into the pharmaceutical industry which stands to lose a lot of money if this theory of empathy is taken seriously.
I really found this to be an exciting book that was driven by characters I cared about from the moment they were introduced. I was particularly riveted by Frank’s story, which does take up a lot of the book, and couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen to him. Honestly, this book had me from the opening paragraph and didn’t let go even after the book ended. I’m glad there are more books planned with these characters as I can’t wait to see where their lives go next.
It is the mid-1600’s and Frank Nettleton has just learned from his grandmother that his “dark days” are due to the fact that he is an empath. Unfortunately it will be many years before he really starts to understand what that means and, when he does, he decides to gather as much information as possible to create a guide for future empaths so they don’t have to go through the years of struggle that he and many others like him, had to endure. The final goal is to get his great work, called The Lodestarre, published but the time is not right and he dies without seeing his dream come to fruition.
Katherine Spencer has just found out that all those years of being diagnosed as “bipolar” may have been a mistake. The countless prescriptions and their debilitating side effects were all for nothing because she is, in fact, an empath. In her research to find out more about empathy she discovers a reference to a book that may have been written 300 years earlier and is excited by the prospect of a manual that could help her understand what is going on and how to live with it. Problem is no one knows if the book really exists as no one has ever been able to find it.
When Katherine sets out on a journey to find this missing book her life, and Frank’s, come together. The result of this intertwining of lives will rock the mental health world and strike fear into the pharmaceutical industry which stands to lose a lot of money if this theory of empathy is taken seriously.
I really found this to be an exciting book that was driven by characters I cared about from the moment they were introduced. I was particularly riveted by Frank’s story, which does take up a lot of the book, and couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen to him. Honestly, this book had me from the opening paragraph and didn’t let go even after the book ended. I’m glad there are more books planned with these characters as I can’t wait to see where their lives go next.
February 2, 2011
I was on the fence about this book until about 2/3 of the way through it. I was super intriqued by the concept behind it, but the first 2/3 of the book had very slow pacing, and I feel a large chunk of the text could have been edited out without negatively effecting the story. Also, the copy I have was so badly copyedited (extra words in sentences, missing articles) that it was distracting.
However, once the story finally gets going, it's quite enjoyable. The last third of the book almost feels like it had a different editor. There's less fluff, fewer copyediting mistakes, and better pacing.
Overall, very interesting concept, and I'm intrigued enough by the cliffhangers to find out what happens in the next installment.
However, once the story finally gets going, it's quite enjoyable. The last third of the book almost feels like it had a different editor. There's less fluff, fewer copyediting mistakes, and better pacing.
Overall, very interesting concept, and I'm intrigued enough by the cliffhangers to find out what happens in the next installment.
April 16, 2010
FINDING EMMAUS' New York City Debut!!
This book is an important work by a good person that deserves support. I follow from afar; for anyone who can go to this major event, you can represent my support with a show of extra enthusiasm. Thanks a lot, Capt. Richard B.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?v...
This book is an important work by a good person that deserves support. I follow from afar; for anyone who can go to this major event, you can represent my support with a show of extra enthusiasm. Thanks a lot, Capt. Richard B.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?v...
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews