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Finding Anna: An Unusual Journey To Self-Discovery
A young man seeking to unravel his past travels throughout the world in search of Anna. The story begins in a hotel in Germany and curiously, the travels lead to one destination: to the very heart of the traveler. Finding Anna is an interesting and inspiring story that takes place in more than 25 countries
At thirty years old, Vineeth found that his life required examination if he was going to make it extraordinary. He realized that certain moments and the people in his life played pivotal roles in the making of the person that he had become. As he searched for a way to explore these connections, Finding Anna opened the door for him to a new world of constant searching for meaning, in a journey filled with reflection and excitement.
Finding Anna is a story of a simple man with a simple goal: to experience life and appreciate the little things. In this book, he shares the stops on his journey where he links his past to the present in a quest for his identity.
Readers will relate because there is an Anna in everyone’s life, and everyone has a story they want to share. Every story in a life is a journey because they are not the same person at the end of it as they were when it started.
At thirty years old, Vineeth found that his life required examination if he was going to make it extraordinary. He realized that certain moments and the people in his life played pivotal roles in the making of the person that he had become. As he searched for a way to explore these connections, Finding Anna opened the door for him to a new world of constant searching for meaning, in a journey filled with reflection and excitement.
Finding Anna is a story of a simple man with a simple goal: to experience life and appreciate the little things. In this book, he shares the stops on his journey where he links his past to the present in a quest for his identity.
Readers will relate because there is an Anna in everyone’s life, and everyone has a story they want to share. Every story in a life is a journey because they are not the same person at the end of it as they were when it started.
343 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 2, 2020
56 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 28, 2021
This memoir has an original and intriguing concept. Vineeth travels though Europe and in each place finds a woman named Anna to understand life in that country. He photographs each of them. There are a few photos in the book but none of these women. There’s also a photo described at the end of the book of a man feeding pigeons, but even this one isn’t shared. Photos of these people would’ve added to the narrative. Vineeth enjoys his journeys and meeting each Anna. He alternates travel chapters with growing up in India. Though interesting, there are no profound insights here, and the writing is sometimes oddly worded with minor errors and repetition. Vineeth has a positive optimistic attitude, which is uplifting. If you enjoy travel memoirs, you may enjoy this.
June 17, 2020
Concept vs. Implementation
As a fledgling (and as yet unpublished) writer, I admire Mr. Vijayghosh's originality in the concept of his debut work.
The book was, if I understood correctly, originally meant to be a sort of photographic travelogue. The author made contact with perhaps a couple of dozen women named Anna in various cities throughout Western and Eastern Europe, met them in person and photographed them - hence 'Finding Anna'.
Mr. Vijayghosh alternates autobiographical chapters on his growing up in southwestern India and leaving to study for his master's degree in engineering in Germany. The alternate chapters relate his 'finding' the various 'Annas'. All of his meetings with the Annas were platonic (except, perhaps, save one), according to the text.
An interesting concept - but its implementation was somewhat less so. Much if the writing was staid, full of adjectives, hyperbole and subjective philosophical conjectures. All of the 'Annas' were sparkling, kind, vibrant, etc., etc., etc.
There were attempts to connect the autobiographical chapters with the Anna ones thematically. For instance, the wonder if seeing a Singer sewing machine appear in the childhood home in India, while in the next chapter an Anna takes the author tons cafe where the tables are old seeing machine tables. Not enthralling.
The most interesting and honestly cast chapters were the autobiographical ones.
I admire Mr. Vijayghosh's initiative in pursuing his life goals, as well as the 'Anna Project' and the publication of his debut book.
The performance, unfortunately, fell short of the idea.
The most interesting chspters
As a fledgling (and as yet unpublished) writer, I admire Mr. Vijayghosh's originality in the concept of his debut work.
The book was, if I understood correctly, originally meant to be a sort of photographic travelogue. The author made contact with perhaps a couple of dozen women named Anna in various cities throughout Western and Eastern Europe, met them in person and photographed them - hence 'Finding Anna'.
Mr. Vijayghosh alternates autobiographical chapters on his growing up in southwestern India and leaving to study for his master's degree in engineering in Germany. The alternate chapters relate his 'finding' the various 'Annas'. All of his meetings with the Annas were platonic (except, perhaps, save one), according to the text.
An interesting concept - but its implementation was somewhat less so. Much if the writing was staid, full of adjectives, hyperbole and subjective philosophical conjectures. All of the 'Annas' were sparkling, kind, vibrant, etc., etc., etc.
There were attempts to connect the autobiographical chapters with the Anna ones thematically. For instance, the wonder if seeing a Singer sewing machine appear in the childhood home in India, while in the next chapter an Anna takes the author tons cafe where the tables are old seeing machine tables. Not enthralling.
The most interesting and honestly cast chapters were the autobiographical ones.
I admire Mr. Vijayghosh's initiative in pursuing his life goals, as well as the 'Anna Project' and the publication of his debut book.
The performance, unfortunately, fell short of the idea.
The most interesting chspters
August 30, 2020
Inspirational and captivating! A must read!
Finding Anna: An Unusual Journey To Self-Discovery is definitely inspirational because of the many lessons imparted by the author through his stories -- which came about as he tried to find himself by reliving his past while staying connected with his present and getting out there in the world, breaking free from his chains and living his dreams.
It is a captivating story, told in a very unique and articulate way, of a young man’s becoming as he examined his life in fine detail, as he made “little stops” each day to appreciate the simple little things, as he “took the time to study the possibilities” that every single day brings -- with the goal of “making each day a memorable one.”
By telling us his life story, the author reminded us of the special people we have in our lives who influenced us and who we should be thankful for. He also reminded us of all the events and things we have in our lives that we should be appreciative about. Moreover, he reminded us to be mindful of all the experiences we have in our everyday lives, that every day is a story on its own (so we should make it count) and that these days make up our lives!
This story is inspirational and captivating! A must read!
James Jordan, PhD, PhD and Deovina Jordan, PhD, MD
Finding Anna: An Unusual Journey To Self-Discovery is definitely inspirational because of the many lessons imparted by the author through his stories -- which came about as he tried to find himself by reliving his past while staying connected with his present and getting out there in the world, breaking free from his chains and living his dreams.
It is a captivating story, told in a very unique and articulate way, of a young man’s becoming as he examined his life in fine detail, as he made “little stops” each day to appreciate the simple little things, as he “took the time to study the possibilities” that every single day brings -- with the goal of “making each day a memorable one.”
By telling us his life story, the author reminded us of the special people we have in our lives who influenced us and who we should be thankful for. He also reminded us of all the events and things we have in our lives that we should be appreciative about. Moreover, he reminded us to be mindful of all the experiences we have in our everyday lives, that every day is a story on its own (so we should make it count) and that these days make up our lives!
This story is inspirational and captivating! A must read!
James Jordan, PhD, PhD and Deovina Jordan, PhD, MD
April 15, 2021
I thought that this was going to be a book about self-exploration, self-improvement, reflections on life, a travellogue. But it turned out to be superficial.
The author meets a woman named "Anna" and then starts a search for other Annas around the world. I thought that he's talking metaphorically like figuring out a way to meet positive people. Instead, it turns out he literally meant "Anna" AKA women who share the same name. A stupid quest IMO.
So in every alternate chapter he has a superficial meeting with an Anna where no deep discussions happen, nothing new is learnt, no reflections. Just meeting a woman and having coffee with her or whatever else. This is a waste of my time.
The other chapters are about him recalling things from his childhood. But what is he recalling, what does he learn from the reflection, why is that particular thing that he's recalling nostalgic to him or what does it mean to him? These things are frequently not answered and instead he just mentions these things and then back to meeting another woman named Anna.
Overall, it felt too superficial to continue any further.
The author meets a woman named "Anna" and then starts a search for other Annas around the world. I thought that he's talking metaphorically like figuring out a way to meet positive people. Instead, it turns out he literally meant "Anna" AKA women who share the same name. A stupid quest IMO.
So in every alternate chapter he has a superficial meeting with an Anna where no deep discussions happen, nothing new is learnt, no reflections. Just meeting a woman and having coffee with her or whatever else. This is a waste of my time.
The other chapters are about him recalling things from his childhood. But what is he recalling, what does he learn from the reflection, why is that particular thing that he's recalling nostalgic to him or what does it mean to him? These things are frequently not answered and instead he just mentions these things and then back to meeting another woman named Anna.
Overall, it felt too superficial to continue any further.
May 26, 2023
Elk boek is een venster op de wereld en een deur tot je verbeelding... en ook al heeft iedereen een boek in zich, lang niet iedereen vertelt dat verhaal.
Ik vond het op mijn gevorderde leeftijd van 68 jaar boeiend en aangenaam te lezen hoe Vineeth Vijayghosh zijn verhaal op jonge leeftijd vertelt, hoe hij plekken ervaart en beschrijft waar ik zelf geweest ben, lang geleden... Toulouse, Barcelona, Kopenhagen, Shenzhen, Neuschwanstein, ... hoe hij zijn contacten met mensen op die locaties beleeft, hoe hij zijn eigen jeugd en opgroeien linkt aan wie hij nu is.
Ook al is dit geen "grote literatuur", het is een aangenaam leesbaar en mooi verhaal over menselijke relaties waar heel veel uit op te steken valt.
“Every true story is a book in progress, each page defining a moment, leading to a chapter that eventually preserves a memory. If one falls in love with the act, then there is no end to the urge to keep the pages turning.”
Ik vond het op mijn gevorderde leeftijd van 68 jaar boeiend en aangenaam te lezen hoe Vineeth Vijayghosh zijn verhaal op jonge leeftijd vertelt, hoe hij plekken ervaart en beschrijft waar ik zelf geweest ben, lang geleden... Toulouse, Barcelona, Kopenhagen, Shenzhen, Neuschwanstein, ... hoe hij zijn contacten met mensen op die locaties beleeft, hoe hij zijn eigen jeugd en opgroeien linkt aan wie hij nu is.
Ook al is dit geen "grote literatuur", het is een aangenaam leesbaar en mooi verhaal over menselijke relaties waar heel veel uit op te steken valt.
“Every true story is a book in progress, each page defining a moment, leading to a chapter that eventually preserves a memory. If one falls in love with the act, then there is no end to the urge to keep the pages turning.”
August 23, 2020
I love how the author, Vineeth Vijayghosh, relates amazing moments in travel and life itself, to an experience with #Anna. #Anna being someone whom he did not know, but she was amazing in her insight and positivity and brought life to everything, just from an initial conversation. Now everything great is #Anna and there's always an #Anna, no matter where he goes. This book will have you looking at your life's experiences, smiling, and connecting them to something meaningful to you. Thank you for such an amazing book. It reminds me to cherish every moment and always entertain my happy place.
March 23, 2021
This won me over
Initially I was attracted to the book by the notation it was about travel and observations about humanity. I love thoughtful books. But for the first dozen pages I was discouraged by all the telling of known information. I know that! But as I came to know the author and his writing style I rode along as smooth as silk. The story was excellent as was the telling.
Initially I was attracted to the book by the notation it was about travel and observations about humanity. I love thoughtful books. But for the first dozen pages I was discouraged by all the telling of known information. I know that! But as I came to know the author and his writing style I rode along as smooth as silk. The story was excellent as was the telling.
October 28, 2020
I was amazed at learning about the author through his passion to take pictures of people named Anna. He has lived an amazing life and visited many places. Instead of making a photo book he shares stories if his encounters with the different Anna's he meets, interspersed with tales of his life. A good read and a fascinating story.
December 7, 2023
A Different Kind of Journey
Vineeth was raised in India but moved to Germany to obtain his Masters Degree. This is part his history and part his meeting with Anna's from several country's and what he learned about them and himself along the way. Part travel journal and part self discovery and reflection.
Vineeth was raised in India but moved to Germany to obtain his Masters Degree. This is part his history and part his meeting with Anna's from several country's and what he learned about them and himself along the way. Part travel journal and part self discovery and reflection.
June 4, 2020
Amazing book
Loved every aspect of the book, the beautiful narration, author’s detailed oriented descriptions.. the way he switches from past to present. Amazing book for anyone who loves travel and people.
Loved every aspect of the book, the beautiful narration, author’s detailed oriented descriptions.. the way he switches from past to present. Amazing book for anyone who loves travel and people.
June 30, 2023
Fantastic experience
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews