Painted Alphabet CL

As a rule I love the mythic notion of the alphabet being employed as a creation code. PA book follows this creative similitude; and the talented author takes the format of a traditional Balinese tale and reworks it into a beautifully crafted modern story. Unusually she manages to incorporate practically every aspect of human existence within and without, to include the mighty Gods, marriage, daily life, food, spirituality, festivals, good and evil, magic, birth, life, death and marriage (although not in that particular order). On reading the first page I was cast under a great spell of mystical enchantment and kept on until I had finished, exhausted but completely inspired by the symbolism, vivacity and passion of all the characters, but also by the deep and elegant portrayal of the land, the villages and forests. I was left thirsty for more and my thoughts challenged me to embark on my own spiritual path of discovery. This book should be essential reading for anyone remotely interested in traditional myths, legends and history. Nothing ever dies, everything is reborn as beautiful as before yet with a greater sense of wisdom and awe.

I reviewed this book years ago for the NEW YORK TIMES--a rave review--and I'm delighted to see it available in paperback. It's one of the most delightful, enchanting books I've read in a very long time, with brilliant characterization and descriptions of Bali. I still remember it vividly and fondly. I hope it stays in print forever. Read it!

I actually picked this book up because of the beautiful cover and unique title. I don't usually pick an anonymous author, but I'm glad I did. The story was an easy read, once you get past the hard pronounciations of names and cultural words. This is a necessity to the story so is easily overlooked as I tried to pronounce these foreign terms. There are so many facets to the story that all tie together in the end in an amazingly simple way. It makes one want to visit Bali, but not the Bali of today as much as the one told about. I would recommend this book to any reader of love stories, fantastical reads, suspense or drama.

...and a beautiful culture it is, too -- Bali. Diana Darling has taken an ancient Balinese folktale, re-set it in modern times (allowing outside 'advanced' cultures to conflict with the peaceful nature of her exotic setting), and given the reader a treasure. The author is very knowledgeable and sensitive to the Balinese culture and language -- and her work is an immensely compelling fable, with much for the reader to harvest, both as 'mere' entertainment and as a valuable immersion into a rich world that is so different from our own that it could easily be on another planet. The lessons are gentle and not too hard to grasp -- the love with which the Balinese people treat their environment and each other is wonderful to behold. Her characters are well-developed and entirely believable -- and the story itself, while uniquely applied to Bali, is really a universal one: good versus evil and questions about life values -- things which all of us need to consider from time to time, no matter how 'enlightened' we think we are.This is an absolutely beautiful book -- I can recommend it highly.

Diana Darling's Painted Alphabet from Periplus provides an unusual story based on a Balinese epic poem. Romance, philosophy, and women's issues blend within the context of Balinese culture in this gentle tale.