Reviews

The October Gate

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Reviews For The October Gate

Tina Avon, Austin Texas for RebeccasReads (11/08)

I have just finished The October Gate, written by Ann L. Albright and I have so many emotions inside that I needed to get them down on paper. This is the type of book that feeds your soul, your mind and your body. Having a few tissues handy will not hurt either.

I was unsure what kind of book this would turn out to be when I read the description. This subject matter, in my opinion, is difficult to portray, and I was wondering if the author would be up to the task. She was. Put simply, this is the story of Lucy and Sarah and it is the story of love and hope. Sound a little common? No way. The October Gate takes the story of friendship, love and acceptance and gives it wings to gently embrace its readers, leaving us hopeful, serene and empowered.

I have written many book reviews and I am not usually so poetic in my reviews, but this book touched me so much that I find myself using words that I don't normally use in describing a storyline. I loved the friendship that developed between Lucy and Sarah and I thought it completely endearing to see this friendship continue well into another realm as Sarah passes on. Both women finding each other at a time of deep need, proving that it is true that the universe may not give you want you want all the time, but it will always give you what you need.

Illness is something that scares me immensely, so I was a little reluctant to continue this book when the opening paragraphs introduces us to Lucy who is seriously ill and is unsure whether she will (or wants to) survive. She meets Sarah, who becomes Lucy's guide during this very difficult period of reflection. Sarah slowly introduces Lucy to a world of possibilities, asking her to think `outside her comfort zone', to be willing to see and imagine a different way, a better way. I was particularly enthralled by the conversations between the two women when they are discussing Lucy's illness, during which Sarah tells Lucy that Lucy is responsible, in some ways, for her own illness, as this illness is the manifestation of Lucy's sorrow at her own unanswered potential. This theory has long been one that I have believed in, and it truly scares me!

It is obvious that Sarah was a beacon of light for Lucy. As I was reading this book, I kept thinking of the words `Higher Power'. I believe in the concept of a higher power - and that this higher power can be found anywhere. For Lucy, her Higher Power was, indeed, Sarah.

This book is a treasure - but get ready to pull out the tissues.

Paige Lovitt, Austin, Texas for Reader Views (7/08)

“The October Gate” is a beautifully written story about a woman’s spiritual journey to find wholeness. Lucy, the woman, is recovering from cancer. She and her husband have relocated to a new area. Having plenty of time on her hands to focus on her healing, Lucy makes friends with her neighbors. She discovers that some of them are pretty incredible. The person that intrigues her most is Sarah. Sarah obviously operates on a higher level than most of us. Lucy starts recording her stories. When Sarah passes away, Lucy is told that she has not seen the last of her. Sarah begins showing up in her dreams to offer her lessons.

These lessons come from messages given to Sarah by spiritual guides. There are nine messages with each getting their own chapter in this book. These lessons are meant for all of us to live and learn from. Lucy discovers how life is about being connected with the Oneness. She is taught the difference between living your life ruled by your ego and living your life ruled by love. She learns about her spirit guides and how the spiritual realm is organized so that it is possible for our spiritual growth to be assisted. She also is able to ask questions of which answers can only truly come from the spiritual realm. In this story Lucy is writing everything into a book so that mankind will be able to read it and learn from it.

The author, Ann L. Albright, indicates that her life is very similar to Lucy’s. She had to overcome a major illness and she also received messages from the spiritual realm which she put into Lucy’s story. She really does an incredible job of relaying the messages through Lucy’s experiences.

For myself, I gained so much incredible wisdom from reading these pages. If I were to write everything down that I learned and felt about what was said, I would be writing a whole other book. Without a doubt, “The October Gate” by Ann L. Albright came into my life with perfect timing. It answered a lot of questions and summed up a lot of thoughts that have recently been flowing through my own mind. I plan to go back and reread it, take notes and then do some journaling. I highly recommend this novel and look forward to finding out what other people gain from it.

Featherd Quill Book Reviews, Goshen, MA 12/08

A book that reflects on the values and purpose of life.

In The October Gate: Nine Messages of Love, Healing, and Reassurance for Our Planet, by Ann Albright, we are introduced to Lucy, a woman seeking answers to some of life's daunting questions. Lucy leaves her home of many years in the south to accompany her husband to his new job assignment in Brooklyn. At first, Lucy is uneasy in her unfamiliar confines, but upon meeting Sarah, an elderly neighbor, Lucy finds a true confidant. Sarah helps Lucy both expand her network of neighborhood friends, and ease her sorrow after a reoccurring bout with cancer. When Sarah unexpectedly dies, Lucy feels a void in her life, but has a sense that she will see Sarah again. These expectations are fulfilled when Sarah reappears as an apparition in Lucy's life. Sarah, along with a council of advisors, offers to share their accumulated knowledge about life, frailty, and the meaning of human existence. The relationship between the two women accounted for in these pages is heartfelt, thoughtful and realistic. This first section is a prelude to the more substantive passages of the book. As noted in the title, the other chapters of the book focus on how to repair one's life.

The first lesson looks at the importance of living in the present as Sarah encourages Lucy to "learn to dance" and bring joy into her life. Later chapters reinforce this premise, for example, suggesting that Lucy wear a cowboy hat, a gesture that will bring more than a few suspect glances in New York City, but will also serve to help Lucy take herself less seriously. There are also many mentions of Lucy's cancer and how one's attitude may contribute to the causes of illness. Sarah believes that if Lucy is able to live joyfully and with intent, it is possible to reverse the course of the disease. While I believe in the scientific explanation that holds that cancer is caused by carcinogens and deregulation of cell reproduction, I see Sarah's perspective as a spiritual metaphor. By prescribing that Lucy dance and laugh and not take life for granted, the author is affirming that each of us has the ability, even in illness, to cherish life, reconcile fate, and make amends.

Sarah challenges Lucy to question her convictions and open her heart to new passages. In each chapter Lucy asks Sarah a barrage of questions which are answered in a circuitous manner, leading to more questions. One lesson focuses on ridding ourselves of ego and affirming that a higher spiritual force exists, while other topics concentrate on integrity, truth, love, and power. Sometimes the language can be cumbersome, and some questions are answered more successfully than others, but overall the author's musings are clearly rendered. With each chapter, Lucy gains more clarity and insight as her malaise gradually turns to content, and even joy.

The October Gate reconsiders questions that mankind has contemplated throughout the ages. The overall message of the book is clearly one of hope and good will, "The most important feature of your human lives is what we shall call the awareness of your own goodness. You see, the moment you tap into one truth: I am eternally good, I'm made of good, I'm experiencing good, all I know of life is good; then you will find the peace you are looking for."

Quill says: A woman in remission after a bout of cancer reflects on the values and purpose of life.

Inspiration in Nine Gulps!
Nancy Pfau, Sharon Springs, NY

“The October Gate is a breath of fresh air in my search for answers to my place in the world and what I can do to solve problems. When the news media is filled with so many crises, this book gives reassurance that the spiritual renewal of the world is a possibility. I think Ann Albright's The OCTOBER GATE will be especially helpful to anyone suffering from a devastating disease, as she offers special insights into the healing properties within each one of us.”

From Lynne M., Florida

“I love the photo of the autumn leaves against a clear blue sky -- very meditative and suggestive of change and renewal -- a seasoning and ripening of the spirit.”