Reviews / Comments / What Others Say
On this page, I have collected reviews and feedback from readers, ordered in reverse chronological order.
April 19, 2014 - One of my readers--and now friends--is very enthusiastic about my book. He recently finished his first reading and I asked him a couple of questions. One of them was: "What would you say are the highlights of my book?" Here is his unedited answer.
As for the highlights, well, that's quite a difficult question! I think you are the highlight of the book, but at the same time the book serves to shine a light and set aflame the mind of the reader, kind of like passing a torch.
Your passion comes through in every sentence, and I think this is what really sets the work apart, for there are so many anecdotes from your youth, experiences with religion, mathematical background, views of history, philosophy, logic, values, etc., that you not only come to life as if a personal friend, coach and teacher, but your knowledge and personality incubate the human-being-to-be in the reader.
It's actually very hard to describe this book because it is an experience and an adventure, not just an exercise in reading. It is a book that grabs hold of you and alters your thinking, provoking profound questions of the utmost importance.
And to anyone with a Judeo-Christian background or some knowledge of the Bible, possessing an open mind, it is something of a cosmic force that meets the psyche with a pretty wrecking ball--only to set the stage for the beginning of true Life beyond all thought and language if the reader does the Work. Your book offers an end to confusion and suffering while providing a passport to freedom in the highest sense.
Another question was: "What would you say were less enjoyable aspects of my book, if any?" Again, here is his answer.
Less enjoyable aspects? In all honesty I don't have any complaints or criticisms. A few grammatical errors perhaps, but that's only superficial. I want to understand and incorporate this [knowledge]. [ . . . ] Now you and your book have introduced the sublimity of the autiyut [i.e., Hebrew Alphabet] into my mind and heart, and I simply cannot do anything but pursue this damsel that I long for beyond anything I've ever imagined.
June 2012 - My first review was from BlueInk Review, a company specialized in reviewing self-published authors. It appeared about two months after I published my book. I revised the book, not because of the review, but because of some left-overs and since November 2012 the second edition is available, completely according to my satisfaction. You can read the full review here: The End Of Religion, The Beginning of Self.
For the $$$$ price of this review I expected something more profound. Rather than criticize the reviewer for XXX [censored, ed.], I would like to express gratitude and praise for the effort of drawing readers and scholars of different backgrounds to my book. Here follows a summary.
For the $$$$ price of this review I expected something more profound. Rather than criticize the reviewer for XXX [censored, ed.], I would like to express gratitude and praise for the effort of drawing readers and scholars of different backgrounds to my book. Here follows a summary.
In The End of Religion, The Beginning of Self, author Bruno Curfs seeks to explore the profound and enigmatic nature of the Hebrew alphabet in an effort to unlock sacred wisdom.
Mixing Talmudic and Midrashic teachings with Christian theology and Qabalah, Curfs examines each of the 22 Hebrew letters–- from Aleph to Tav-–and explains each letter's meaning, its corresponding number, and its use in scripture.
Curfs' book is interesting, ambitious (sans back matter it clocks in at over 670 pages) and dense. It has a free spirit of inquiry that is overall endearing; his poetic voice and insights are appealing.
A bold idea of a book.
Also available in hardcover.
-- BlueInk Review
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