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The concept of past-life regression is prevalent in this story. Was it handled in a realistic way or did it verge into fantasy? When the man's eyes started moving in the painting, I have to admit I started rolling my eyes. I also thought Alex was too quick to take Angela's experiences as fact.

Past life regression itself is not real. So other things associated with that, either seeing as real or not, is up to the reader's mind to work out

Well, the past-life interludes were not exactly realistic to me. In many instances, I had the impression Alex treated everything too carelessly and light-heartedly. Besides, he does not seem to have any problem in Angela kissing him during her trance episodes. Did you notice that the action takes place between August 3 and September 15? Let's say they were lovers in other lives and their instant connection is explainable as such. However, there are too many things happening too fast over a very short period of time. I would have liked the past-life episodes to be much more detailed for the story to gain credibility.

I think the use of past-life regression is up to the reader's interpretation in deciding whether it is real or fantasy. Some people may believe that it is real and can be accomplished while others may scoff at the idea.

bookowlie wrote: ↑01 Jun 2018, 09:32 The concept of past-life regression is prevalent in this story. Was it handled in a realistic way or did it verge into fantasy? When the man's eyes started moving in the painting, I have to admit I started rolling my eyes. I also thought Alex was too quick to take Angela's experiences as fact.

I think it definitely treads the line of fantasy. It's done in a way that is pretty generic, in my opinion, but I'm a fantasy nut.

I happen to believe that past life regression can be possible if the soul is eternal; however, I'm not talking about magic. The eyes moving takes it from a possibility to an improbability.

Reincarnation and past-life regression go hand in hand. I am Catholic, but I am open to those ideas because of our concept of purgatory as a place for cleansing in preparation for entering heaven. Going through many lives might be the purgatory that we believe in.

It is the quick solution that is bothersome. I also agree that the story could have spanned a longer time frame for the sake of realism. Falling hopelessly in love may happen overnight for some people, but I don't know if that's the norm.

It depends who you ask about past life regression as to what they will say about reality or not. There are many who claim that it is possible and they practice it.

Mely918 wrote: ↑05 Jun 2018, 17:10 I think the use of past-life regression is up to the reader's interpretation in deciding whether it is real or fantasy. Some people may believe that it is real and can be accomplished while others may scoff at the idea.

I agree. It's like those books where you wonder if a character is truly crazy or are they actually know something the rest of the characters don't. It's all up to the reader.

I think the past life regression was included specifically to give the author the liberty to get into some of the fantasy elements. It was a little hokey at times, but I appreciated the creative efforts.

I think past life regression is a topic which is not usually explored in writing, so I would give the author props for including this unique concept into the book. Maybe it was not too well written and came across differently to some readers, but again, the effort to include something out of the ordinary is appreciated.

KristyKhem wrote: ↑06 Jun 2018, 11:50 I think past life regression is a topic which is not usually explored in writing, so I would give the author props for including this unique concept into the book. Maybe it was not too well written and came across differently to some readers, but again, the effort to include something out of the ordinary is appreciated.

I agree that the past-life regression angle was a unique topic to include in this book, especially as a plot device to help solve the mystery. I think it fit well within the overall plot, even though it was a bit overdone.

Kendra M Parker wrote: ↑05 Jun 2018, 18:12

bookowlie wrote: ↑01 Jun 2018, 09:32 The concept of past-life regression is prevalent in this story. Was it handled in a realistic way or did it verge into fantasy? When the man's eyes started moving in the painting, I have to admit I started rolling my eyes. I also thought Alex was too quick to take Angela's experiences as fact.

I think it definitely treads the line of fantasy. It's done in a way that is pretty generic, in my opinion, but I'm a fantasy nut.

Generic! I can't think of a better way to describe it. What if Angela had been Gerard in her past life? Now that could have turned up the interesting factor in this book.

Oftentimes past life regressions are none poorly because they don't explain to the reader, or viewer in the case of a movie, how it works. For example, how many past lives are you able to see/ remember?

JR Mercier wrote: ↑06 Jun 2018, 05:01

Mely918 wrote: ↑05 Jun 2018, 17:10 I think the use of past-life regression is up to the reader's interpretation in deciding whether it is real or fantasy. Some people may believe that it is real and can be accomplished while others may scoff at the idea.

I agree. It's like those books where you wonder if a character is truly crazy or are they actually know something the rest of the characters don't. It's all up to the reader.

Ambiguity like that in books can make them very interesting to read if done right. It's usually books that are left open for interpretation that draw the most discussion.