Book Review: Ghost Writers by David Shaw

 Ghost Writers coverTitle: Ghost Writers
Author: David Shaw
Genre: Self Help
Age Group: Adult
Rating: 4 stars
Purchase: Amazon
Review copy provided by Enchanted Book Promotions in exchange for an honest review.

In this life-affirming book, author David Shaw explores ten major themes that affect us all – and offers a unique way to engage with them. Whether it’s fear or forgiveness, credence or clarity, materialism or acceptance, Shaw gives us the benefit of ten spiritual authors who pen their intriguing and stimulating words through him as modern parables.

In doing so, they offer us a steadying rudder in the choppy, often violent, sea of life’s cruelties and uncertainties.

Presenting an engaging and fascinating blend of fiction and non-fiction, Ghost Writers presents in a non-stuffy style information, whose light-hearted humour belies its powerful emotional punch.

So sit back, relax and share David’s absorbing, gripping and spellbinding journey of a lifetime – and beyond.

I was a little surprised by Ghost Writers. I wasn’t sure to expect from the premise, and even from the introduction. It’s a self-help book, but the book combines fiction and non-fiction and proves to be quite unique in that concept. The author has received knowledge from the spirit world to write the book, and wants to pass that information on to the readers. By the time the introduction was finished, I was intrigued, but at the same time, a little confused. So I read on. The first chapter focuses on materialism. It has an interesting intro, and then the author (or one of the spiritual authors who came up with the chapter? I’m not sure if they’re only the source of the fiction stories, or of more) starts to investigate materialism, why all of us (or at least most of us) suffer from it, where it comes from, and more. The author offers valuable insight, and the chapter definitely made me rethink a few things.

Here and there, the author puts a few gems in the book like: However, once you dine at the table of Caligula, you may never again wish to cook in the kitchen of humility. I love that sentence. It’s a vivid description,  and oh so true.

Then the author ends the chapter with a short, fictional story about materialism, the story of Sasha and his dog. It’s a heart-warming story and fits in nicely with the theme.

The same set up is repeated in chapter two, forgiveness. We get an introduction, the author offers insight, and then we get a short, fictional story. By then, I figured out the set up of the book, and I started to like it. The short stories were my favorite because they managed to underline the author’s point. In forgiveness, the author mentions Nelson Mandela – who forgave his captors after years in prison. I’ve always found that so inspiring, and it was good to see the same sentiment repeated here. Gandhi and King are mentioned as well.

Chapter three focuses on fearlessness. This was my favorite chapter. I found so much of myself, and my own struggles, mentioned here. While the chapter is serious, there was also time for a few jokes here and there. Here’s an example: I know what you’re now probably thinking – knives and spears are dangerous and just like patterned wallpaper can seriously hurt someone if they are not used for their true appropriation. I actually laughed out loud at that one! The story added to this chapter was truly chilling though. This chapter was my favorite because it also focused on past lives, and our fear for past lives. I’ve always wanted to find out more about my past lives, but have been scared to take the step.

The book goes on like that, talking about self-belief, education, tolerance, acceptance, and more. All of the topics were interesting, and each time the author touches some valuable points and then illustrates them with a short story.

Overall, this was an enjoyable, thought-provoking read. The stories were good entertainment, the non-fiction part made me realize a few things I hadn’t thought about before. The writing style was excellent, down-to-earth and often humorous. If you’re looking for a different type of self help book, I would recommend trying this one.

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