Tathea

I found this book by chance in our local library. I found it to be very thought provoking and remarkable. Powerful in it's simplicity and consistancy. It is lengthy and there were times when I would have liked more depth of characters, however I found it's pages magical. I looked at my own life differently and on some occasions was moved to tears.I haven't read any of Anne Perry's other books, am not really a mystery fan or fantasy. I would barely consider this either...it is a journey, a story, one that needs telling. The simplicity of the truths written and the very believable situations and story moved me. I was most pleasantly surprised. It is deep, and sometimes I chose to put the book down till I could give more of my attention to it, though I read it in a week.I highly reccomend it to anyone who wants to know their own spirit better, or who questions or wonders about God and Love.

I was intrigued when I saw that Anne Perry had written a book billed as a fantasy. I'm not sure I would classify it as a fantasy, but it rather defies any other definition. It's a wonderful story of a spiritual journey, based very closely on the doctrinal beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It's a deep book- be warned. You have to be in a certain frame of mind to really enjoy it. It makes you think- there's no avoiding that. It'll make think hard. Writing this book must have been exhausting. Nearly every line in that book had to be thought out for its allegorical, spiritual, and philosophical symbolism. I think that Tathea ranks up there with the best of C.S. Lewis's allegories.

I, fifteen years old, was pleasantly surprised to find this book in our small local library. Once I started to read, it was very difficult to put it down. I was able to read it in less than a week, during finals. It is a beautiful fantasy that takes place on another world created after our earth. Anne Perry uses her exceptional writing skills to make the book come alive, to help us feel the hatred of Satan and the love of God. In answer to "Kevin, in South Africa," if you only read 50 pages you barely made a mark in it. The first 125 (out of 525) are a spiritual journey, almost a vision, that Tathea takes on. It is an allegory filled with symbolism of what will come later. The beginning makes much more sense if one imagines what is being alluded to each situation. After she is given a golden Book filled with the words of God, Tathea shares it with the world. The rest is much more easy to understand and accurately portrays human nature so that one feels as if they know the characters. At the end of the novel is the text of the Book. It filled me with such awe, such love as I read it, and helped me better understand God's plan. I applaude Anne Perry for taking the stand to write this, one of the most beautiful books I have ever read, exempting the scriptures. Many people think that the definately Christian, yet very different philosophy found in the book was created by Anne Perry. However, it actually reflects the doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, of which she is a member. I encourage, even plead with, everyone to read this awe-inspiring, spiritual novel. It will make you a better person; if everyone in the world read it and believed what it says the world would be at peace. I feel certain that our Heavenly Father smiles upon this book.

Tathea reminds me strongly of C.S. Lewis's religious allegory That Hideous Strength, in that it deals with good vs. evil. Tathea, the protagonist, loses her family, her position, her government, her country, her possessions, everything except her name. She is left to wonder who she is, why she began and retains existence, and, if she can find a purpose for her life, what her destiny will be. This book balances exciting adventure and religious philosophy that drives its central character. Ms. Perry kept religion both necessary to the character growth and yet not didactic. She also kept the religious philosophy logical, a facet that especially appealed to me. For me the overpowering aspect of this book is love: love of and from God, love for people, love of self, love of country, love of truth. I think the power of love will reach out to readers and make many love this book as I did.

This book is not actually a fantasy novel in my eyes but one of adventure with an added spiritual journey. It is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read. It takes you on a journey or quest to aid in making a person the best that they can be in all ways. If your a spiritual person (not necessarily religious) but believe in a higher power than yourself this book will touch your heart and soul. It is more than a book about good vs evil but a tool in how you can best lead your life and serve mankind. Anne Perry's insightfullness into human psychology is incredible and she relays to us the joy, sorrow, pain, suffering, love, hate etc. all our emotions, while giving us an insight as how better to handle them.