Inspired by the author's own pilgrimage of walking the legendary Camino de Santiago across Spain comes Rebirth, a novel of reconciliation and forgiveness.
After losing his estranged father, Amit wanders across Europe and embarks on the five-hundred and fifty mile Camino de Santiago to reconcile his inner conflict. It is on this path that he begins reflecting on relationships and forgiveness, to find answers we all seek. As Amit runs from his life, it soon becomes clear that it's impossible to run from himself. It is a universal pilgrimage, and a teaching-tale about love, forgiveness, and facing our fears.
Told in the traditions of Paulo Coelho and Mitch Albom, the story gets to the heart of some of life's most enlightening lessons about family, devotion, and ambition.
I've been fortunate enough to have some amazing experiences in my life so far. I've trekked to one of the highest base camps in the Himalayas, meditated with Tibetan monks in the Dalai Lama's monastery, earned my US Army Infantry patch, walked 550 miles across Spain, lived in Paris, been the only non-black, non-woman member of the Black Women's writers' group, written a novel, held the hands of dying patients, and worked with some of the best people in Silicon Valley.
But the most transformative experience has been the simple act of loving myself.
This was a nice account of the author's hike along the Camino de Santiago as he tries to come to terms with his father's death and the choices he has made. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys Paulo Coelho's books. It wasn't as illuminating as Coelho's books but offered the same sort of peaceful reflections on life that leave you feeling like you learned an important insight along the way.
The concept was interesting but I felt the story became second to the necessity of quotations and creating inspirational lines. There was little plot, the characters were very bland and I couldn't care for any of them. Honestly, not a great book for a readathon. ´
I picked up this book because the title caught my attention. What I didn't realize was it's about the Camino de Santiago, which my mom and I have talked about doing for years. I really appreciate that even thought it's a work of fiction, it can be read as a non-fiction. It's filled with lessons, deep thoughts and many lines that I wrote down for future reference. Kamal simplified his journey on the Camino de Santiago to focus on the conversations and moments, verse the actual walk itself. I felt close to the journey and related in so many ways. It really inspired me to look at my life differently, especially when he says "instead of asking 'why,' ask yourself 'now what?'" I've shared this with several of my friends and we've gotten into many thought-provoking conversations. This is a great read for anyone who has adventure in their soul, forgiveness they want to find or a question about self they are looking to answer.
I love this book. Although I love Kamal's other books, this one's my favorite. I was lucky enough to read an advanced copy. "Rebirth" is a teaching fable a about a universal story--love, forgiveness, finding oneself...
It takes place on the Camino de Santiago in Spain as the protagonist works through a personal tragedy and attempts to find meaning in his past, present, and future.
"Rebirth" is the kind of story, writing, and characterization that made me feel it was me, and feel deeply. At the end, I learned a little bit more about myself, as if I had walked a part of the Camino on this pilgrimage as well. Truly beautiful story.
I knew before I finished this book that I wanted to write a review for it, something I don't normally take the time to do on Goodreads. After giving myself some time to really absorb this book, I can say it is one of the best books I have read in a long while. There is so much wisdom and substance to this story without being overly sappy or in your face with self-help style advice. The main character is on a journey to rediscover himself after the loss of his abusive father, who he had very little to do with in his adulthood. His pathway to self discovery takes the form of a pilgrimage called the Camino de Santiago across Spain. He meets people along the way that help him to let go of the guilt he feels for cutting out his father while also forgiving his father for his abusive nature. This is such a heartwarming story, but more than that, it has lot to teach about human nature, forgiveness, and the importance of loving ones self as well as others.
It is probably because I reread it recently, but I couldn't help but draw some comparisons between this book and Elizabeth Gilbert's "Eat, Pray, Love". They both have a similar story to tell with a similar purpose in mind but I LIKED "Eat, Pray, Love", I LOVED "Rebirth".
It really feels bad to write such a bad review, but this book really deserves it. Attempting to carve out deep, profound insights about the meaning of life, the author ends up repeating shallow, pathetic clichés that even appear cringeworthy at times. One of the worst books about the Camino. Do not bother!
Started off well, towards the middle it became a bit dull and then towards the end felt too rushed. This took me a while to finish as I grew bored of it and it's lack of character development, perhaps if it was a bit longer and more thought out.
I don't like memoirs. This book was not a memoir but it was written as if it could be. The story just did not pull the reader through until the end. In fact, by the middle I started questioning why I kept on. I think the only reason I did was because it's not a very long book. I kept hoping something would happen. It didn't. I felt as if I slogged along all 550 miles. I didn't like the main character nor did I like any of the people he met on his trek. All in all, a marginal book.
To be honest, this book was a disappointment. It felt like the author was constantly striving to create deep, meaningful scenes, but he rarely achieved this goal.
It was a quick read and perhaps that's one reason why I found it to difficult to truly sympathize with the main character. For many of the characters, their sole purpose in the text was to make the main character reconsider his life and question the meaning of everything. All in all, it felt too heavy handed.
The author also just drops you right into the thick of things, which doesn't allow the reader to understand the main character. I think this book had the potential to be really good, since it's main idea is interesting. Unfortunately, the idea wasn't executed well. The characters and the storyline needed to be more fleshed out.
"Renascer" de Kamal Ravikant, mais um livro lido de uma assentada. "O que gostas num livro?" perguntava-me um amigo. Que esteja bem escrito, que tenha uma história que me prenda, que me faça evadir, .... mas quando leio um livro de um fôlego só é quando eu realmente gostei. Este livro é uma história "simples" de um homem que faz os Caminhos de Santiago. Cada capítulo é uma dia de peregrinação, Cada capítulo é uma peregrinação ao interior dos nossos medos, das nossas frustrações, ilusões, culpas, desejos... É um encontrar e reencontrar outras gentes, com outras histórias diferentes, parecidas... é uma aprendizagem de vida. "Como encontra a paz?" Pergunta Amit céptico "Digo que sim" diz o Monge sorrindo "Digo que sim a tudo o que acontece.." Difícil? Se calhar não é!
A story sprinkled with good life advice. Not a rich story when it comes to language and character descriptions. I don't mind simplicity, but the story was a little bit too staged, seemed forced, and did not unfold naturally enough for me.
This book is such a must read. I actually read the book in one day. A tale where you can put yourself in the shoes of another and see we all take a journey.....its our choices that matter!!
With such a premise, it seems impossible to pass up such a read: Amit, a young Indian man, takes the ashes of his estranged father to the Ganges, fulfilling a deathbed promise. At loose ends, he stumbles into a plan to walk Camino de Santiago, an ancient 550-mile pilgrimage across Spain.
The people Amit meets, the stories he hears, the lessons he learns are meant to give the reader pause, to contemplate life, and to resolve issues that bury any chance for happiness. At least, this is my impression. I have managed many of the hurdles already and did not possess a burning need for these particular lessons but still found the story heartwarming and realistic.
One desire that arose, for me, was that I might take such a journey, physically. Reading Kamal Ravikant's story makes me feel that I have come close enough for satisfaction.
“Okay,” I say out loud. “If I loved myself, what would I do?” The monk from Dharamsala flashes by. His smile. “Say yes.” “Hey,” I say, then laugh slightly. “To what, this?” “Say yes.” “If I loved myself…?” “Say yes.”
For some reason I was convinced this book was a memoir, not a work of fiction. So I felt misled when I sat down to read it. I like reading about the Camino de Santiago. Part of me would like to walk it, but I know, deep down, that is never going to happen. The story that Ravikant tells is a perfectly acceptable tale. He has all the appropriate stories about the Camino. He shows his readers that the walk is hard, but the rewards are great. That, I believe, is why people write about this hike of faith. I am not sorry that I read this book, but I hope the next book I read about the Camino de Santiago is non-fiction and that I feel a bit more connected to the author.
Fantastic novel. Ravikant shines best when the narrator intimately takes to and exposes himself emotionally to a wonderful cast of characters that he meets on the Camino. It's a quick read, page turner. However, I found myself returning to sections of the novel to reread conversations and little moments of self realization that the narrator has with himself.
Excellent novel for anyone who is looking to go on a journey, either external or within themselves, and to come out a new person.
This was an easy read with some lovely reminders about life, love and spirit sprinkled throughout. I felt like I was walking along with the main character on his journey. It definitely renewed my desire to reconnect with nature and undertake a big trek some day.
Wow. I absolutely loved this story. I'm sure to read this one over and over again. The importance of what is said cannot be denied. Life changing and so on point. Love, love ,loved this book!
Really enjoyed listening to this...listened while walking so felt I was travelling with the author on the Camino and getting to know the characters. Feel a bit bereft now I've finished!
My first audible, hopefully there will be more. Generally I lack the patience but this one was different.
As I plan to spend a few weeks on the Camino de Santiago next year I have started reading various books of the pilgrims. Kamal's book is based in fact on his wandering period after the death of his estranged father. By accident, he hears about the Camino and decides he needs to walk the 800 KM path.
I enjoyed the book but because his characters are fictional (though they may be based on fellow travelers) I couldn't really feel these were real people and real adventures.
The current book I am listening to is What the Psychic Told the Pilgrim: A Midlife Misadventure on Spain's Camino. While the author is about as negative as they come at least I know these are real experiences. If you have done any extended hiking you know these are not always going to be walks in the park.
I really enjoyed the story here, even if it was a bit unbelievable. That said, this book is less about plot feasibility, & more about the message. And the message is truly inspirational. Highly recommended & an easy read.
Renascer é sobre renascer a nossa essência. Sobre nós próprios mas também sobre as relações com os outros. Um caminho de Santiago que nos faz ir de encontro ao caminho de nós mesmos. Sobre perseverança, resiliência, sobre acreditar e ter esperança. Sobre sermos nós e para nós primeiro , antes de o sermos para o outro
Most of this book's significance, for me, came down to its timing and the synchronicity of going this deep into the pilgrimmage route the leads to Santiago de Compostela (the Camino de Santiago or Way of St James) at this particular time in my broader explorations. In fact, around the time of reading it, I came across this route seemingly everywhere I turned...three films about it presented on Amazon and I discovered an extenstion of it crossed with where I was travelling to (the Tyrol and particulalrly Innsbruck, with its pilgrim statue flanking the entrance to the city and saints in pilgrims' dress at the gate to St. James Cathedral - more on this here https://www.tyrol.com/things-to-do/sp...). Also at the time of reading, a friend happened to visit me from Germany who lives in the central European crossing point (Leipzig) of one of the extended routes (which is very ancient). So, it synced with some other thoughts I was having about some of our most ancient tracks, routes and pathways and why they existed (yes, long before Christianity made claim to them) and why they are located where they are in our planetary cobweb. What has made so many people's footfall tread a particular route, across vast distances and expanses of time (though the excuses may change) and what do these endurances remind us about our humanity and very relationship with this planet?
The material of the book itself was gently thought provoking, plodding and paced, much as you would expect a pilgrimmage to be; no great lightning displays, just long steady affirmations of thoughts I routinely have (or have had; for instance about the relationships we have with our parents). I perhaps missed the factor of a female narrative (sorry but this was a distinct thought I had at the end) and it prompted me to seek a "spiritual" read penned by a female as its follow-up. Nonetheless, it has piqued my curiosity about Ravikant and I will look at some of his other material in due time.
This book is an easy and heartfelt read that follows Amit, a man struggling with grief and guilt after his father’s death. To find some peace, he decides to walk the Camino de Santiago in Spain, and the whole story is about his journey of healing, forgiveness, and discovering what really matters in life.
What I liked most about the book was how Amit's character felt relatable. His pain and his need for answers really pulled me in, and I think a lot of people could see themselves in his shoes. But while Amit’s personal journey was interesting, the other characters he meets along the way felt a bit flat. They seemed more like tools to help Amit grow rather than fully developed characters in their own right. Some of them just popped in, gave him advice, and disappeared without much depth.
The setting of the Camino de Santiago was really well described. You could almost feel like you were there with Amit, walking the path, seeing the landscape, and feeling the weight of the journey. But in terms of the actual events, it sometimes felt like things didn’t fully connect. There were parts of Amit’s journey that felt important but then didn’t go anywhere, which made the story drag in places. I was expecting more moments where Amit faced his past in a deeper way, especially with his family, but it didn’t happen as strongly as I’d hoped.
Symbolism is a big part of the book, with every person and place along Amit’s walk standing for something bigger. But sometimes it was a bit too obvious. There’s a lot of talk about following your heart and letting go of pain, but it’s not always presented in a fresh or surprising way.
What’s good about Rebirth is that it’s a simple and feel-good story. It’s perfect if you’re looking for something light and inspirational. But for me, it didn’t go as deep as I thought it would. I wanted more closure and more layers to the lessons Amit was learning. Still, it’s worth a read if you enjoy stories about personal growth, even if some parts could’ve been explored more.
Rebirth is a poignant, gentle tale of transformation.
I'm a bit biased since I've walked (200 miles of) the Camino de Santiago, but I really enjoyed the way we learned about Amit and Amit learned about himself -- and about love -- over the course of the physical, 500-mile journey.
Amit goes from being closed-off and shell-shocked from the emotions that poured out after his Dad passed away, to being vulnerable, loving, forgiving, and free. It was a bit cheesy, but I loved the way Ravikant repeated certain messages and themes -- primarily based on advice given to Amit by the wide array of friends he made along the way.
Amit started off being frustratingly close-lipped, and I was frustrated at times. But the stories came tumbling out in due time. If it made you who you are... then it is good.
Some other highlights:
The gift of age... You understand your own hypocrisy. This makes it easier to forgive others. But you have to forgive yourself as well. That is not always so easy.
The cancer gave me a gift in the form of a question. 'If I loved myself, what would I do?' ... Notice the question has an 'if.' It never assumes that I do... So I could ask no matter if I was in pain or laughing or crying. Just 'if.'
To think your hurt is special is nonsense. You have pain, I have pain. The world has stories of pain. ... It is not your would that makes you special. It is the light that shines through that does.
I went into nursing because I thought I wanted to help people. .. But I realized. I realized that I did it because all I ever really wanted was to be loved.
Preparation toward el Camino de Santiago has started… reading books, listening testimonies and watching related movie… Time is set for early summer 2020, and it will be my graduation gift to HL; of course she has a choice to accept my gift or reject.. it is up to her. Yet the more I contemplate it probably would be the best gift for not only her, but for us ….. Praying and planning….anticipating…. “The secret to flight: don’t flap your wings so hard. It only exhaust you. Close your eyes and lean into the currents say “Yes”. Let the wind raise you higher and higher. That’s what eagles do. Oh this is secret to life as well. “ Here are some nuggets that I gathered from the journey of Kamal Ravikant...
- My life has come down to what I can carry in my backpack… Only what is necessary - Knowing is nothing unless you take on doing it - Earlier pilgrims: they had so little while we have so much… still it is their footsteps we follows - Remove what is not you… become the true you - Everything I had refused to face now lashed at me. But I fought those demons with strength I never had before. Some I left behind in the rain, Others at the bottom of the hill.. A few returned to pester me but I left them in the mud. The stone and the mountains. I was FREE - Each pilgrim no matter how little time you spend together leaves an imprint
This is Paulo Coelho's The Pilgrimage for a new generation. That's not a bad thing--like Coehlo's book, Rebirth seeks to bring layers of wisdom and perspective to a reader's life. That both books do so against the backdrop of the Camino Frances, the most famous and popular section of the ancient Camino de Santiago pilgrimage trails, is an added benefit.
But while Coehlo wrapped his wisdom in unexpected and mystical encounters, Rebirth sacrifices its story and plot in order to get to the self-help lessons, and I confess it lost me there. Rebirth is a parable, or what the publisher calls a fable, of a young man's journey on foot, walking across a country. He meets people who will offer love and wisdom as he works through a season of loss. The conversations they have are often heavy-handed and repetitive, and more than once I said out loud "okay, I get the point. Say yes."
Plenty of people will love this book and its strong messages about embracing situations. I just am not one of them.