World-building inspiration fuel, as pretty much every UFO-esque book I've picked up has turned out to be. Had to read this one because I usually seek out the ones that combine the idea of fae and religion and UFOs, and I thought this was the nuts-and-bolts aliens type of book.It's not. Actually, I always thought the majority of UFO-type books were all about physical beings from outer space. I don't think I've read one yet that is, though. Granted, I've purposefully gone for the ones that combine mythologies and really go broad with the interpretation of encounters. (Seriously, for the kind of series I'm writing, world-building inspiration fuel. But it's also...interesting.)Point being, I was ready to roll my eyes a lot at his interpretations. But he actually seems to focus most on the theory that it's all in his head. And I couldn't believe that it just seems like everything I've ever heard about this book completely ignored that and made him sound like a dude bellowing about aliens from outer space.His take on the possibility of it all being in his head was the most interesting theory he mused about, too. Because it's not a simple, "Aw, hey, I imagined it all" sort of "in his head." More of a Dumbledore's line to Harry Potter (if I may paraphrase because I'm not looking up the exact quote right now): "Of course it's all in your head, Harry, but why should that mean it isn't real?"I enjoyed reading him muse on it, and being a person who meditates, it really got my brain juices flowing. Musing on it myself.Now, I was glad to find out this book wasn't what I had thought it was, and it was an interesting read. But, there were many times where I was shaking my head at him. I mean, he's a fiction writer. So there were things he was amazed about that made me drop my jaw and go, "But you're a writer; isn't that normal?"The Number One thing that made me say that was when he was going on about this visualization of the cover-picture alien he kept seeing "in front of him," as if he could "reach out and touch it." He seemed rather amazed at how vivid and detailed it was. He went on, as if we should all be amazed, at how if he asked, the visualization would turn, zoom in, and move so that he could see every detail.And the whole time I was reading that, all I could think was, "But you're a writer; how can you be amazed that you can do this?"And then I got to thinking about tulpas, and collective consciousness, and just before my brain turned to steam I managed to make some notes for my series.
I have never read an Abduction/ UFO study book before. I picked this book up at a record shop on tour on the east coast this year. It's been out for a long time and I remember what a splash it made upon its initial release. I also used to listen to Strieber's radio show in Santa Cruz on AM while delivering pizza's around town on Saturday nights. Communion was so much more than i expected. For one, Strieber is coming to this book as a writing talent so the book reads very eloquently, like that of a great fiction writer. The book is a page turner but more importantly his thinking, philosophizing and meditations on his experience take you beyond the sensational and controversial aspect of the subject matter into deeper meditations and thoughts about our psyches as individuals, as a race, as beings of history and the universe. Without giving a spoiler I will say that the most beautiful and thoughtful thing about this book and his reaction to his experiences is this: while most UFO/ abduction/ ET studies look to the skies and obsess over government cover-ups for discovery and understanding, Strieber looks more often to the uncharted hallways of the human soul. This book is at times frightening, haunting, mysterious, insightful but always deeply thoughtful and illuminated with a great sense of exploration led by his bold and creative mind. My own mind is still haunted and illuminated by many of the scenes and ideas in this book.
What do You think about Communion: A True Story (1988)?
While I doubted this to be"the most ashtonishing true-life odyssey ever recorded - one man's riveting account of his extraordinary experiences with visitors from 'elsewhere'..." , I expected to enjoy the story better than I did. Mr. Strieber's 'encounters' where a bit out-there, even for this "open to ET's" mind of mine! I just couldn't seriously entertain the tale Strieber was telling; the 'aliens' he describes are straight out of a B-Horror film. It was, however, a New York Times #1 bestseller, and a sequel ("Transformation") has been published (and, I assume bought/sold) so maybe the next reader will enjoy it more.
—Maurean
Sometimes you read a book that changes your life. Was it a change for the better or worse I almost hear you cry?I don't knowI read this book many years ago at the tender age of 21. The thing that initially drew me to it was the cover art...the typical alien head...I devour the book in a couple of days and during the read I got what can only be described as a FlashbackSuddenly I remembered being with a pal at age 11ish standing on an Orkney hilltop in the night watching huge glowing red orbs passing silently over the town belowThis flipped me outI became paranoid as more memories of other events filtered into my consciousnessI ended up reading every UFO book I could track down in an attempt to read up on any reports of glowing red ballsIt took me ten years to sleep with the light outAre there aliens? I don't know...is there a coverup/ a pattern of ridicule or denial - YESI think you should read this book with a hefty pinch o salt and an equally open mind...maybe you will remember something too
—Jim Mcvean
This book gave me nightmares for years! I slept with the light on for months. I had to keep the book hidden under my bed because the picture on the cover scared me. The part about the white owls looking in his bedroom window and the white deer on the side of the road haunt me years later. I don't know what to make of this "true" account, but if aliens are really abducting people at night, there is no sense in worrying about it--you have no control. I am curious if he is still being abducted? Has he told the aliens about his books? Does he have any new insights as to what they want? Why don't they just say "we're here! Any volunteers?"
—Jocelyn
