There's No Such Place As Far Away

by Richard Bach, H. Lee Shapiro (Illustrator)

When she was about to turn five, a little girl named Rae Hansen invited Richard Bach to her birthday party. Though deserts, storms, mountains, and a thousand miles separated them, Rae was confident that her friend would appear. There's No Such Place As Far Away chronicles the exhilarating spiritual journey that delivered Rae's anxiously awaited guest to her side on that special day--and tells of the powerful and enduring gift that would keep him forever close to her heart.



Written with the same elegant simplicity that made Jonathan Livingston Seagull a bestselling phenomenon, There's No Such Place As Far Away has touched the hearts of thousands of readers since its first publication in 1979. Richard Bach's inspiring, now-classic tale is a profound reminder that miles cannot truly separate us from friends...that those we love are always with us--every moment of the infinite celebration we call life.

Genres: Fiction, Philosophy, Spirituality, Classics, Fantasy, Short Stories, Childrens

48 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1979

About the author

Since Jonathan Livingston Seagull - which dominated the #1 spot on the New York Times Bestseller List for two consecutive years - Richard Bach has touched millions of people through his humor, wisdom and insight.

With over 60 million copies of his books sold, Richard Bach remains one of the world's most beloved authors. A former USAF fighter pilot, Air Force captain and latter-day barnstorming pilot, Bach continues to be an avid aviator-author, exploring and chronicling the joys and freedom of flying, reporting his findings to readers.

His most recent works include Travels with Puff, which recounts Bach's journey from Florida to Washington state in his small seaplane, Puff, and Illusions II: The Adventures of a Reluctant Student, which incorporates Bach's real-life plane crash.

In October 2014, the never-before-published Part Four to Jonathan Livingston Seagull was published.

Readers can find more about Richard and his work at www.richardbach.com

Reviews

[Federico DN · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a gift!

Five year old Rae Hansen invites Richard Bach to her birthday party. The immortal aviator will prove her with a book that, for those who care, even at great distance, There's No Such Place As Far Away.

An extremely short story with a powerful message on love and spirituality. It was good, but still nothing remotely close to his masterpiece Jonathan Livingston Seagull.

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PERSONAL NOTE :
[1979] [48p] [Fiction] [2.5] [Not Recommendable]
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★★★★☆ Jonathan Livingston Seagull
★★★☆☆ There's No Such Place As Far Away [2.5]
★★★☆☆ Out of My Mind: The Discovery of Saunders-Vixen [2.5]

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Que regalo!

Rae Hansen de cinco años invita Richard Bach a su fiesta de cumpleaños. El inmortal aviador le probará con un libro que, para aquellos que quieren, incluso a grandes distancias, No Existe Ningún Lugar Demasiado Lejos.

Un extremadamente corto cuento con un poderoso mensaje sobre el amor y la espititualidad. Estuvo bien, pero nada ni remotamente cerca a su obra maestra Juan Salvador Gaviota.

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NOTA PERSONAL :
[1979] [48p] [Ficción] [2.5] [Not Recommendable]
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[Zohreh salimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

"اما به خاطر داشته باش که
اگر حقیقت دانسته نشود و شناخته نشود،
باز هم همواره حقیقت است."

[Ron Pratt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Richard Bach as he’s invited to attend the birthday party of a little girl about to turn five. The book and the message within is his gift to her, and a gift to each of us.

This simple picture book is about time and place, love and friendship, distance and attachment. The words are simple, yet profound. This is classic Richard Bach philosophy disguised as a children’s story. It’s an excellent companion to Bach’s better known Jonathan Livingston Seagull but stands on its own in beauty and impact.

The wonderful new paintings by H. Lee Shapiro enhance the story and help make this a book to save, to share, and return to over the years.

I was intrigued to discover that the little girl in the story is real, although much older now. Imagine how it would be to have a favorite author write a book from their heart directly to you.

The important thing … is for you to know the truth.”

“But remember … that not being known doesn’t stop the truth from being true.”

[Jalə Hacıyeva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Difficult in its simplicity. So short, but so deep. Bach 💜

[Roya Shakeri · Rating 3 out of 5]

خيلي فكر كردم تا كلماتي را انتخاب كنم كه وقتي حرف مي زنم او بفهمد كه من چيزهاي زيادي آموخته ام.
از متن كتاب

[معصومه توکلی · Rating 2 out of 5]

دو ستاره ای که نصیبش شده یکی به خاطر نقّاشی هایش است
(با مداد سیاه، کمابش ظریف و با جزئیات، جوری که انگار حانیه آن ها را کشیده. سر زنگ دینی دوم دبیرستان یا ادبیات سوم راهنمایی روی ورقه ای که توی جامیز یا زیر کتاب های درسی پنهان شده یا در حاشیه ی همان کتاب ها+آیکون آه)
و دیگری به خاطر خاطره ی بار اوّلی که خواندمش:
یکی از آن کلاس های ادغامی 100 نفری پیش دانشگاهی بود و من و راحله هم چون همیشه از کلاس و ماجراهایش فارغ، داشتیم درباره ی کتاب هایی که خوانده بودیم گپ می زدیم. حرف ریچارد باخ شد (که یادم است آن موفع ها مُد شده بود) و «جوناتان» ش و من گفتم که چه طور خوانده امش و چه قدر دوستش دارم و ... راحله هم گفت که «اوهام» را خوانده و «گریز از سرزمین امن» را و این یکی را و ... و با لحن وسوسه کننده ای گفت که این خیلی کوتاه است و فلان و بهمان و خلاصه قرار شد فردایش بیاوردش. آورد و خواندم و خوش شد حالم. نه به خاطر خودش که حقّاً چیز تحفه ای نبود و بیش تر به این کتاب های خودیار می مانست تا به قصّه ای.
(بر خلاف جوناتان که به باور من قصّه دارد)
بلکه به خاطر این که آن گفت و گو و این حرکت بعدش دور تازه ای از کتاب خوانی را برای من رقم زد
دور تازه ای که شامل اسم های جاودانه ای مثل «لیدی ال»، «اگر شبی از شب های زمستان مسافری»، «زوربای یونانی» و مثل این ها می شود...
و الان که فکر می کنم می بینم علّتش این است که من در پیش دانشگاهی با وجود این که درس نمی خواندم نمی دانم با چه دلایل موجّه یا ناموجّهی کتاب غیردرسی هم نمی خواندم و کلّاً معلوم نیست در آن یک سال چه کار می کردم!
:)
و فکر کنم به خاطر همین خاطره ی خوب بود که آن روز در فروشگاه ققنوس تا دیدمش -رویِ روی کتاب هایی که مأمور پخش برایشان آورده بود- بی معطّلی برش داشتم...

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Voa, livre e feliz, para além de aniversários,
através da eternidade e encontrar-nos-emos
de vez em quando, sempre que quisermos
no meio da única festa que nunca poderá terminar. "

[Rimantė :) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trumpa alegorija su gana tipiškais Richard Bach kūrybai vaizdiniais, simboliais ir visa apjungiančia rašytojo filosofija. Knygutė plona, įveikiama per mažiau nei pusvalandį, iliustruota gražiomis akvarelėmis ir jei nebūtų tokia sudėtinga, tai būtų galima skaityti vaikams kaip pasaką. Man ji padėjo išsivaduoti iš skaitymo bloko ir vėl grįžti į skaitymo ritmą.

[Marjorie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ron Wegen's illustrations are exquisite.

I am not exactly certain how I feel about "feel good" books such as this. I do know at the end of this book and others like it, I feel almost icky. As in, "Oh, take your schlocky crap and shove it." I cannot help feeling that I should like or enjoy books such as this because they are happy and joyful and blech!*!*

I think I need to look into this further, but hopefully by not reading another book like this.

[Ali Morakabi · Rating 4 out of 5]

اين سومين كتابي است كه از ريچارد باخ ميخوانم و بنظرم اين كتاب چكيده و خلاصه تمام چيزي است كه نويسنده در كتابهايش گاه از زبان یک پرنده يا از زبان يك خلبان بيان ميكند . هنر ريچارد باخ اين است كه مفاهيم عرفاني را به ساده ترين بيان ممكن و در قالب داستاني ساده بيان مي كند .
علی مرکبی

[Alireza · Rating 5 out of 5]

عالی.
خوندش پنج دقیقه هم طول نکشید.
به این میگن کتاب
نویسنده های دیگه شانصد صفحه مینویسن تا بتونن اندیشه هاشون رو بیان کنن ولی ریچارد باخ توی چهار صفحه خلاصه و کامل هر چی لازم بود رو گفت

[Gio J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

[relectura 2022]
Maestro Bach, escritor favorito de este humilde e inestable lector. Recuerdo cuando en una feria del libro, a la que fui con el amigo que me prestó Juan Salvador Gaviota (mi iniciación en la bibliografía de Richard Bach), descubrí este libro y ojeándolo terminé de leerlo al poco rato, debí haberlo comprado... pero bueno, a los años encontré en una librería de usados esta preciosa edición en roneo que casi pareciera deshacerse en las manos. Este pequeño y delicado cuento es una muy bella muestra de la filosofía e imaginería del autor. 5*
⚠️↓—espóilers—↓⚠️
Subrayado:
"No tienes cumpleaños porque has vivido siempre; nunca naciste y nunca morirás. No eres la hija de aquéllos a quienes llamas madre y padre, sino su compañera de aventuras en un luminoso viaje para comprender las cosas que existen."

[Rosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

As books penned by Richard Bach go, it is concise and it is precisely for this reason that I adore this book. Of course, it is often better to say something in 25 words and say it beautifully than use five and only be functional. I am much an advocate of that. Still, Bach manages to get his point across in a rather poetic naive way, simply and still beautifully.

Books like Jonathan Livingstone Seagull and Illusions have their place in narrative. While Seagull has the turns of phrase that echo the flight acrobatics of the bird and Illusions gives off a soft hazy feel, There's No Such Place as Far Away takes us back to the simplicity of its message.

I loved it first time round. I still love it.

[Ayan Scratuglia · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books of Richard Bach.

When she was about to turn five, a little girl named Rae Hansen invited Richard Bach to her birthday party. Though deserts, storms, mountains, and a thousand miles separated them, Rae was confident that her friend would appear. There's No Such Place As Far Away chronicles the exhilarating spiritual journey that delivered Rae's anxiously awaited guest to her side on that special day...

A book you can read in less than an hour with great emotions and thoughts.

"Can miles truly separate us from friends? If we want to be with someone we love, aren't we already there?"

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful - it may have been four stars were it not for the accompanying illustrations, which in my edition are by Ron Wegan. The combination of the words with the illustrations, which are as valuable in adding punctuation, depth and breathing space as they are in their beauty, make this book something special for me.

It's a small book, and I found my copy for 49p in a charity shop; a hidden gem that I stumbled across just when I really needed to.

[Tatiana Comet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Più che il testo in sé, ciò che mi è piaciuto è stato quel che si cela dietro a esso.
Ricevuto in dono da un'amica speciale, mi ricorda un'altra persona speciale che ho perduto, ma che è pur sempre vicina e che, sono sicura, rivedrò al di là di questa vita.

[David Logan · Rating 2 out of 5]

My ottoman digging continues. This is an attempt to recapture the spirit of Jonathan Livingston Seagull, but Bach has run out of steam.

[Arwen56 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Si fa fatica persino a capire cosa cavolo sia. Inclino a supporre che si tratti di una presa per il "culo". Perdonatemi il termine triviale.

[Raman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a small book with enormous life lessons.Have read it twice but not sure still I got the complete essence of it or not.
This book makes you think about the life, its journey, about friends and relations. If you want to be with someone time and distance does not matter. Loved the quote
"that not being known does not stop the truth being true."
Feel free and be happy. Life is a celebration. Live each day, learn from everyone and enjoy the life to the fullest.

[*Jurgita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ar tikrai mylios gali
atskirti mus nuo draugų?
Jei norime būti su tais,
kuriuos mylime,
argi jau nesame su jais?

[Iman Narimani · Rating 3 out of 5]

عمیق و موجز

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be honest.... I'm not entirely sure I understood what I just read. However, besides the illustrations being lovely, Bach writes some lovely philosophical and sentimental prose. I cannot take that away from him. The perspective however is lost on me, I will re-read it when I'm more awake with strong coffee. But I kept trying to see who he was supposed to be, the narrator, is it something unseen, is it Bach, is it the sun or the moon, something simply we carry within? I'm not exactly sure. It is still very lovely but after Jonathan Livingston Seagull I think you expect something a bit more.

[piperitapitta · Rating 4 out of 5]

i libri di bach hanno accompagnato la mia adolescenza. alcuni come questo, il gabbiano jonathan livingston e illusioni li considero eterni. parlano di amore, di amicizia, di libert��, di viaggio, ma soprattutto di rispetto con una grande sensibilit��, adatta soprattutto a chi sta crescendo e ha bisogno di essere accompagnato nella propria formazione da valori veri. con gli altri forse ha cavalcato l'onda, segnato un'epoca e anticipato di molto la new age (per la quale provo un sano disgusto :-))).

[Pwntalive · Rating 2 out of 5]

got this book as a gift, from a very wierd classmate in 8th grade. i dident know at the time that its wierd to give gifts, and then books, at that age. but its a weird book, and those were weird times.

in the world of 70's feel better via meta-physics and new ago psychobabble this stands out, in that ive read it.

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really short, and has always meant a lot to me. I think it's a good book for anyone going off to college, or leaving you. It really does remind you that there is no place far away when you're friends. :)

[Bijan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has given me a very strange but pleasant feeling. I felt like the lines were familiar to me as if I've read them before. At the same time, I felt like flying in a strange land and observing the secrets.

It was such a unique experience, I can say.

[Cody · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great kids book. It's simple and inspiring, making it's point in such a way that you really can't argue that there's no such place as far away.

[Glenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this several years ago. I love to give this as a gift to someone who moves away. The illustrations in this book are awesome.

[Emkoshka · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's something in here about friendship and being, but its metaphysical meaning failed to penetrate my cynical armour. Nice illustrations though.

[Natascha Rasmussen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I believe some will find it uplifting, but I rather find it anoying, because it does not help you to understand the principles it speaks of...