The Half Known Life: In Search of Paradise

Pico Iyer is a world traveler, and an expert on world religions and cultures. This book is well worth the read!!

Whenever I get a new book I read the opening materials and first chapter to determine where it fits into my ever growing “to read” piles. Every once in a very blue moon I come upon a book that, despite all the other books waiting their turn, I just keep on reading to the end. This was one of those.Like all the best journeys of discovery Iyer’s journey either never arrives at the expected destination or the destination found is not that expected. This book is every bit as personal as his previous “memoir with haunting father” and every bit as interesting as movies in Kathmandu or falling in love in/with Japan.Block out a day or two before you begin. You wion’t want to put this down—not even after it ends.

Very well-written and interesting travels in a number of “sacred” or spiritual places. The author delicately analyzes subtle undercurrents and behaviors in these various places. It is informative and i learned a lot. At times, it’s a little lengthy and could have been tightened or distilled, but with travel, sometimes the unedited immediacy is the richest in flavor.

Worthy of its awards. Author has accessible writing style and covers a lot of territory. Interesting observations based on his eclectic life experiences and willingness to open himself to new experiences.As for Amazon: I was merrily reading and came to page 92 and found pages missing in this copy. I reported and returned book on a Saturday and a new one was on my doorstep by early Sunday afternoon. Who gives 24 hour free service on a weekend??? Amazon does!

A book that you want to read again as you end. Full of savory delights in the telling and retelling of shared human experiences and ends with, “I would just let life come to me in all its happy confusion and find the holiness in that. I sat where I was, along the river, and watched the carnival play out.”

book came on time and as advertised. thanks!

I started this book and it wasn’t making sense, and finally realized that it is only 2 of the chapters repeated over and over. But it took me too long to notice and I can’t return it. Won’t buy books here again.

I have read several of Iyer's other books and purchased this one hoping for something spiritually uplifting. I was completely disappointed. Essays about Iran, North Korea, Northern Ireland, Kashmir, Sri Lanka. While some of these may be physically beautiful they all represent the epitome of man's brutality to man riven by hatred of one group for another. Nothing spiritually uplifting can come from this despite some references to the Dalai Lama and Thomas Merton. The nightly news is bad enough. I didn't need this too. I was so happy when I finished this book. Avoid.

The edition of the book that I received has a printing error, with some pages of another book included. It’s very confusing at first as he is writing about Australia and then the book switched to commentary about making the film sequel to the Karate Kid.I enjoy Pico Iyer’s descriptions and travel narratives.

…..good in parts. There are quite a few interesting moments, but I wonder who edited the ms. In my opinion, whoever it was did not do a good job, not least in terms of punctuation — although I read the Kindle version, so perhaps that’s not a fair comment.However, a good deal of tidying would have made for easier reading : jumping abruptly from here to there and back again is not a good idea. Stream-of-consciousness is one thing ; sloppy narrative is something else entirely.Pico Iyer seems to be widely revered, so on the off-chance that this book represents a sort of literary hiccup, I’m about to embark on an exploration of ‘The Art of Stillness.’ Fingers crossed.

This was and is a glorious book of travel, insights, wisdom and energy. I would happily read it again. Like a great documentary it unveils truths without giving direct opinions, leaving the reader space to consider and think about the dichotomies of place and people and beliefs.