Review of Magic Bridge
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Ifeanyi Ajah
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Review of Magic Bridge
[Following is a volunteer review of "Magic Bridge" by Tom Wheeler.]
Magic Bridge is a remarkable story about Aiden Summers, an ordinary nineteen-year-old whose troubled soul stumbles upon Tom Wheeler in Wayland Square. Aiden leaves to embark on a pilgrimage of his own, fuelled by yearning for meaning and the truth, all taking place at Adam's Bridge—an ancient chain of sandbars and rocks submerged in seawater that links India with Sri Lanka. Mythology and spirituality make much of the bridge that is said to be a mile or so long, which unlocks one's own identity when crossed. Aiden faces many challenges in his quest for the truth.
On his path, he meets a variety of captivating people, among them a street-smart homeless man, an austere psychiatrist, an amiable taxi driver, a mystic mentor, and the young mother and son with whom will decide their shared destiny. As Aiden struggles to blend into the tapestry of chaos that is India, fighting against a mind utterly repelled by these new morals displayed before him and an old justice system not akin to his own, cracks start appearing in his carefully crafted exterior. The book was exceptionally well edited and error-free.
One thing that stood out to me among many in this book is how effortlessly Tom Wheeler integrates spiritual and philosophical principles from various traditions. Aiden's inevitable encounters with characters such as Aastha, the counselor who cannot shake off his past mistakes, and Sam Sam, the taxi driver whose worldview is deeply embedded in Hinduism, reveal a tapestry of observations on good vs. evil, karma theory, determinism, and free will and how faith can protect us till it breaks one. Wheeler, not afraid of the tough questions that religion can often raise, emphasizes his points through real conversations with a realism rarely encountered. Although Aiden immediately writes off faith as antiquated and unimportant before his experiences thrust him to confront his own preconceived notions, encouraging him for the first time in life to be receptive to the evidence surrounding Christianity.
The book is a spiritual tapestry, of course, but philosophy seems overburdening in some areas, which causes a dislike for me. Aiden also has a few long theological debates that he gets into with some of his encounters, and while they're certainly as interesting in material, they tend to slow things down. Particularly during the later portion of this book, where Aiden's journey across is mixed in with a slew of moralization statements. Also, the repeated appearances of recurring characters such as Mantiram, who effortlessly transitions from informer to spiritual adviser and then into what feels like an ethereal body (an intriguing notion about unseen forces at work on this bridge that is appreciated but has us grasping for more specificity), leave you wondering if these beings only really exist in a heightened state... or not.
I rated this book 5 out of 5 stars because the heart and soul of this book is Aiden's inner journey as he travels not just in space but also emotionally. Eventually, however, he finds reason to press forward because his skepticism makes a 180 and rejoices in the freedom that comes with God's grace and forgiveness. This is a stirring polemic that challenges popular preconceptions about the relationship of race, culture, and politics in America today; an inspirational message to remind those who serve as a beacon of hope for all those experiencing difficult times that there is always a light chance for redemption no matter where your troubled past may lead you. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a deeply philosophical and spiritual journey.
******
Magic Bridge
View: on Bookshelves
Magic Bridge is a remarkable story about Aiden Summers, an ordinary nineteen-year-old whose troubled soul stumbles upon Tom Wheeler in Wayland Square. Aiden leaves to embark on a pilgrimage of his own, fuelled by yearning for meaning and the truth, all taking place at Adam's Bridge—an ancient chain of sandbars and rocks submerged in seawater that links India with Sri Lanka. Mythology and spirituality make much of the bridge that is said to be a mile or so long, which unlocks one's own identity when crossed. Aiden faces many challenges in his quest for the truth.
On his path, he meets a variety of captivating people, among them a street-smart homeless man, an austere psychiatrist, an amiable taxi driver, a mystic mentor, and the young mother and son with whom will decide their shared destiny. As Aiden struggles to blend into the tapestry of chaos that is India, fighting against a mind utterly repelled by these new morals displayed before him and an old justice system not akin to his own, cracks start appearing in his carefully crafted exterior. The book was exceptionally well edited and error-free.
One thing that stood out to me among many in this book is how effortlessly Tom Wheeler integrates spiritual and philosophical principles from various traditions. Aiden's inevitable encounters with characters such as Aastha, the counselor who cannot shake off his past mistakes, and Sam Sam, the taxi driver whose worldview is deeply embedded in Hinduism, reveal a tapestry of observations on good vs. evil, karma theory, determinism, and free will and how faith can protect us till it breaks one. Wheeler, not afraid of the tough questions that religion can often raise, emphasizes his points through real conversations with a realism rarely encountered. Although Aiden immediately writes off faith as antiquated and unimportant before his experiences thrust him to confront his own preconceived notions, encouraging him for the first time in life to be receptive to the evidence surrounding Christianity.
The book is a spiritual tapestry, of course, but philosophy seems overburdening in some areas, which causes a dislike for me. Aiden also has a few long theological debates that he gets into with some of his encounters, and while they're certainly as interesting in material, they tend to slow things down. Particularly during the later portion of this book, where Aiden's journey across is mixed in with a slew of moralization statements. Also, the repeated appearances of recurring characters such as Mantiram, who effortlessly transitions from informer to spiritual adviser and then into what feels like an ethereal body (an intriguing notion about unseen forces at work on this bridge that is appreciated but has us grasping for more specificity), leave you wondering if these beings only really exist in a heightened state... or not.
I rated this book 5 out of 5 stars because the heart and soul of this book is Aiden's inner journey as he travels not just in space but also emotionally. Eventually, however, he finds reason to press forward because his skepticism makes a 180 and rejoices in the freedom that comes with God's grace and forgiveness. This is a stirring polemic that challenges popular preconceptions about the relationship of race, culture, and politics in America today; an inspirational message to remind those who serve as a beacon of hope for all those experiencing difficult times that there is always a light chance for redemption no matter where your troubled past may lead you. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a deeply philosophical and spiritual journey.
******
Magic Bridge
View: on Bookshelves
Latest Review: Impact by Mark D. Owen
