Sign Up | Log In

Write a Review
Post a Quick Tip
Create a List
Ask a Question
Create a Poll
Create a Community

Movies •Books •Music •Food •Tv Shows •Technology •Politics •Video Games •Parenting •Fashion •Green Living •more >

Lunch » Tags » Books » Reviews » The Thirteenth Gift

The Thirteenth Gift

1 rating: 5.0

A book by Charlene Costanzo

While on assignment in Eastern Europe, Claire, a U.S. journalist, learns of a local legend. The deceptively simple story about "the thirteenth gift" has a profound effect on Claire, which soon transforms her marriage, her work, and the way … see full wiki

Tags: Books, Cafe Libri

Author: Charlene Costanzo

Publisher: Featherfew Ltd.

1 review about The Thirteenth Gift

Showing 1-1 of 1

Sort by:

A Novella of Hope Which Is Timeless

Apr 24, 2011

by JSMaresca
posted in Cafe Libri: Reviewing Books & More

Rating:

The Thirteenth Gift- A Novella of Hope for all Times
By Charlene Costanzo 2011 Featherfew Publishers

Reviewed By: Dr. Joseph S. Maresca

Credits: (Posted First On )
http://blogcritics.org/books/article/book-re...the-thirteenth-gift-a1/

What attracts us to look down and pick up objects like stones
on city streets, parks or beaches? Is this pure happenstance
or is there a deeper psychological meaning or feeling of release
from being one with nature? Who knows for sure?

The book begins with Claire- a reporter covering the plight of the
poor children from Mumbai, Baghdad, Bucharest and other places.
The story has her meeting up with Baba and visiting a small one room
cottage for soup. This could be a very typical meeting for a tourist
visiting an Eastern European country.

The two share stories and relax while being warmed
by the fire and good food alongside a live fireplace. A strength of the
presentation is that the author makes readers feel at home as though
each was experiencing the same sensations as Claire.

The book progresses to a tale of Royals and the 12 Gifts. Ultimately,
the Royals travel to many places to relate the details of these gifts
to all who would listen . Read the book to get the complete details
on the chapter depicting the Royals.

The point of the book is to utilize a stone- any stone- to signify the
presence of life in us all and throughout the world itself.
Did you ever strike two stones together and experience the feeling
of expectation in witnessing the sparks just prior to lighting a fire?
A similar sensation may be felt in experiencing the tintinnabulation
of the jingling and tinkling of the bells. The experiences depicted in
the book are real. Readers can identify with all of them during
various junctures of life.

The author, Claire is portrayed as an enthusiast of nature and
natural settings. She likes to drive through the rural countryside
and enjoy the open spaces.

Charlene Gorda Constanzo is an award-winning author , workshop facilitator,
graduate of Philosophy from St. Bonaventure with an M.A. in Spiritual
Psychology from the University of Santa Monica. The 12 Gifts of Healing
was written while Charlene was in treatment for advanced non-Hodgkins
lymphoma in 2001. Charlene has a website : CharleneCostanzo.com

Sometimes, great illness can produce great insight as was the case with
Charlene Constanzo. Such an experience stops us in our collective tracks
and forces us to appreciate the simplest and most elemental things in
life. Sometimes, the most valuable things in life are free.

The book contains a number of memorable quotations by famous persons. i.e.
"Wisdom begins in Wonder" said Socrates. Ostensibly, without contemplation
and reflection, we cannot achieve wonder. "Wonder is the source of all true
art and science. Without it we are as good as dead" said Albert Einstein.
"Remember., You must Remember. " was said by Cervantes.

The book is written in a pure belles letters style which is characteristic of
light literary presentations. There is an Eastern European character to the
book with a trace of gypsy themes in various parts of the presentation.

Overall, this would be a good book to read on a plane or a long car ride.
The audience is universal. The acquisition would be a perfect gift for
any occasion.