Now Is the Time to Open Your Heart

I wanted it to be better. I know and love all of Alice Walkers writings, and respect her talent and insights into the human condition. BUT this book was too syrupy sweet, condescending and preachy. I agree with the thesis--we should all protect the sacred that has been entrusted to us in our extraordinary earth home--but the 'over the top' cloyingness of the message as presented in this book makes the subject trite instead of terrific. Too bad.

This book had such great timing, like I couldn't believe. I picked it up at a used bookstore a few months ago, thinking, "Alice Walker is a good author, I bet I'd like this..." and nothing more. When I picked it up to begin reading I couldn't believe the timing. It was about exactly the kind of thin......more

As I read this book, I kept thinking, "Wait, Alice Walker is one of our great American writers, right? What am I missing?" To the extent that there's a plot, it's about a couple who take separate vacations: she to an Amazonian meditation retreat where everyone takes some kind of hallucinogen they ca......more

I listened to this book on Audio CD. Read by Alfre Woodard, it was a rare gem. The book reads like short stories but they are linked by the spiritual encounters and thoughts of Kate. I loved listening to it. It was a great book for February as it satisfied two February themes: love and Black History M......more

I tend to be good at picking up books that pertain to my life experience and desires of the moment. My absolute favorite book of Alice Walker is Temple of my familiar because the stories are elaborate and almost mythical. This novel is pretty straight forward its about a woman around her 50s who has......more

Truly a mini spiritual handbook. I thoroughly enjoyed this read. Lessons woven into and out of each story, and each character, is so mindfully done. I felt as though I was sitting on my grandmother's lap, taking in stories I won't understand until I am an adult myself. If you are looking for inspira......more