Reach to the Wounded Healer Reviews:

Read the review from Writers Digest (PDF Format)

Review By Kevin Shah
Author, Professional Reviewer,
Barnes&Noble, Bakersfield, CA
Poet-in-Residence

Loss, fascination, and curiosity spark Paul de la Moret?s pilgrimage. Reach to the Wounded Healer asks how one finds his life's purpose while living in a modern world. The result is an inspirational and contemporary fable that cannot be easily categorized. Ernest de l'Autin has written a book for those who want to explore truths relevant to their lives while at the same time refusing to be bored. While spiritual self-help books teach how and autobiographies explain, Reach is a brand of literature that transforms. Although de l'Autin takes great pains to create verisimilitude through faithfulness to detail and regional dialects, the novel's poetic power never diminishes. This vivid novel is filled with action and high stakes. And, de l'Autin uses the edge of the sword in order to create realistic and memorable people rather than static characters. Moreover, because Reach skillfully entertains life purpose questions, it compliments Paul Coelho's The Alchemist, the worldwide classic of personal fulfillment.

Paul de la Moret leads a life that is both enchanting and tragic. After he suffers the loss of loves ones, a mysterious lady visits him in dreams and visions and tells him, 'I choose you.' In searching for answers to the visitations the statue of the lady, Paul journeys from his native Louisiana to the Ukraine . His captivating transformation from pilgrim to healer blends humor with poetry and inspiration. Through his own woundedness, Paul carries the message of comfort and healing to those who suffer around him. In this way, Paul learns his life?s purpose.

Reach is also a charming story about the value of friendship. The interactions between Paul and his childhood friend John show how valuable comic relief and love are, especially to a young man trying to find himself. Their friendship strengthens and encourages Paul to continue his pilgrimage. John helps Paul to quote his inspiring poem of old written by St. John of the Cross. Once Paul is strengthened, Paul and John together survive and thrive through the high adventure and suspense of their worldwide trek.

Reach is a comforting novel because of how realistic it depicts the support Paul receives from his loved ones and the lady. Reach becomes a poem, a devotion, and a prayer.

Despite Reach's entertaining quality, loss makes Paul's soul ripe for the lady's spiritual help. But love and forgiveness become the most powerful healers. A Ukrainian woman Olga tells Paul, 'Wery heavy heart. Lady know people like you.' This key statement summarizes Paul's situation and is a reminder that God is near those who suffer. Yet, as Paul learns, sometimes it is harder to be human than it is to be 'spiritual.' His pilgrimage is automatic; he must forgive his enemies, the source of many of his losses.

Paul sums up his story at the end, saying, '[ St. John of the Cross] has shown me that we must reach to others through our woundedness. In this, we find the courage to reach in love rather than hate, to rejoice in hope rather than despair, to live in grace rather than guilt.'

While Paul is guided by the lady, she is no mere plot device. Paul is, at times, a doubting Thomas, an impulsively mouthy Apostle Peter, and a rebellious Jonah who must learn to follow the lady?s guidance. Therefore, readers can relate to him. And Reach does not preach to readers, but offers Paul the spiritual guidance he needs when the story most requires a renewal of his strength. Reach can also be enjoyed by people of all faiths or those who are looking for faith.

Reach shows readers the power of dreams. Because Paul's dreams are prophetic, the level of detail that de l'Autin provides is important. Divine foreknowledge must be accurate by definition, or no one could believe its message. De l'Autin also uses setting to link the natural and the divine through Paul's dream. This gives the events and places the spiritual tone that is central to Paul's pilgrimage.

Quotes by Brian Moreland
Author, Shadows in the Mist

Reach to the Wounded Healer is…

“…Absolutely brilliant! The most original story I’ve read in a long time. Ernest de L’Autin’s first novel brings to life two new personal heroes, Paul and John. From rebellious youths to grown men on a quest to heal the soul, their adventures kept me laughing, crying, and solving the spiritual mystery right alongside them.”

“… more than a modern-day classic. The Reach speaks directly to the human heart and touches that part of our spirit that yearns to be touched. I felt enlightened as I swiftly turned the pages.”

“… a wild spiritual journey from the heart of the Louisiana bayou to the Ukraine mountains. Two friends seek sanctuary from the darkness of tragedy and discover beyond our darkest nights lies a healing light force as bright as dawn. Simply stunning!”

“… a tapestry of memorable characters, breathtaking landscapes, and heartfelt moments that tickled me to laughter, brought me to tears, and, discovering the exciting conclusion, left me floating on a cloud of awe. Ernest de L’Autin’s sure-to-be classic has a permanent home in my library.”

“… a stylishly written masterpiece …”

“… a masterfully written first novel … an immensely enjoyable read.”

“Mystery, Adventure, Self-Discovery … all woven into one brilliant novel.”

“… a powerful novel. The kind of book that reading circles will cheer about.”

“POWERFUL AND STUNNING … The kind of novel that friends tell their friends they must read.”

“SIMPLY STUNNING … a wonderful first novel. Ernest de L’Autin is certain to rise up the ranks as a bestselling author.”

“Breathtaking prose and rich characterizations … Ernest de L’Autin masterfully weaves a spiritual mystery that keeps you wondering while taking your emotions on a roller coaster thrill ride.”

“Stylish writing and characters who make you feel warm and cozy. Ernest de L’Autin paints a vivid portrait of Paul de La Moret, whose gifts are both haunting and miraculous. Paul and the myriad of colorful people around him seem so real at times that you feel as if you’re right there with them.”

Review by Shane Simon
Author
The Prophecy

For those looking for inspiration, Reach to the Wounded Healer is the source to find it. Ernest de l?Autin is a gifted author with a remarkable knack for weaving a seamless tale of self determination, spiritual strength, and true friendship. The pages of de l?Autin?s narrative fly by as the reader becomes immersed in the personal quest of Paul de l? Moret. De l?Autin?s gift is not one to be overlooked. He is an author whose work inspires others to discover what strengths lay dormant within themselves.

Review by Cecilia Ellis
Barnes and Noble (Beaumont)
Sales Associate and Staff Reviewer

Review Comments on "Reach": An absolutely superb reading experience in which, like the perfect storm, varieties of eloquence converge in a single work, producing both a literary and a spiritual masterpiece permeated by classical insight that inspires, challenges and captivates the audience long after the final page is turned.

Review by Michelle DeWitt
Chief Editor
DeWitt&Associates

Masterfully told, so that you are propelled forward with Paul as he struggles along on his quest, shrouded in a mystery that whispers of greatness.

Review by DC Stanfa
Author
The Heart Of Table Dancing: Escapades Of An Irreverent Woman

Reach To The Wounded Healer will take you to places you are reluctant to go--from the broken places in your heart, to the far reaches of your mind, in search of meaning. Finally, at the apex of the journey, your soul will be embraced by the arms of a faith that surpasses all understanding.

Review by Dale Farris
Professional Reviewer
Library Journal

Author Ernest Autin is a refreshing new voice in today's literature, providing a vibrant, lively style of writing that will captivate readers.

A brisk, smartly paced read that is hard to put down.

The Acadian culture is astutely interwoven in this story of one man's spiritual journey that nicely symbolizes the quest for understanding we all are on.

The story moves at a quick pace, and is filled with authentic Acadian perspective and culture.

The massive baby boomer generation that is now rapidly nearing retirement is asking questions vastly different from the WWII age, questions of significant meaning that transcend keeping up with new television programs and regular dining with friends at the local cafeteria (at 5:00 p.m.). One key identifying factor of this massive population cohort is its focus on finding meaning in life that cannot be found in dogma. The spiritual journey in this book serves as a nice metaphor for the journey boomers are on.

A crisply written, lively story that is filled with memorable, unique characters struggling with overwhelming questions of life importance and trying to find a meaningful spiritual component in their lives.

Readers will easily identify with the many colorful, beautifully created characters that drive this impelling story.

Readers will quickly welcome this new, bright writer into their lives - and will want

Ivy House Readers Evaluation
Review by Benjamin Kay
Acquisition Editor

Reach to the Wounded Healer has several distinguishing characteristics that make it a good, solid work of fiction. Firstly, and foremost, it has an engaging and compelling plot, which uses foreshadowing and echoing to lure and propel the reader. Secondly, Ernest de l’Autin, the author, displays a pleasant and vibrant writing style, which does not bog down the reader. Thirdly, relationships between the primary characters are colorfully depicted and the secondary characters, though vivid, do not detract from the primary. And, finally, this work is deeper than it seems, and possesses the tools to project its message with a resonance and clarity usually lacking in this approach. Ernest de l’Autin does a great job of luring in his readers with a gentle mixture of emotion, good prose, dialogue, and foreshadowing.

The plot of Reach to the Wounded Healer is relatively simplistic in form and meaning but it is presented in a complicated way. In fact, some of the twists, turns, and revealing passages caused me to look back over parts I had read before, for the sake of clarity. However, the work does not let you slip. Interestingly enough, I don’t think I skipped ahead or forgot what I had just read as I went through it. (That is a huge compliment). The plot is enhanced by de l’Autin’s descriptive talents, which layer the cleverly arranged story, giving it its own feeling and mood. Reach to the Wounded Healer is well-arranged and compelling in story. The use of foreshadowing and, to a certain extent, later clarification in the form of dialogue, is a good balance of telling what is happening and filling in the questions.

The writing style is quick and easy. De l’Autin writes much as we speak, and in his moments of dialogue, he even accents with the appropriate dialects. The main accents treated in this manner are the southern Louisiana drawl, the African-American vernacular, and the Russian intonation. However, even his descriptive passages are light end easily read through this style. Many of de l’Autin’s best moments are found within the description and the emotion. I really enjoyed the periods home on the plantation and in Russia and its surrounding states. Having been to Russia myself, I connected with Autin’s treatment of this beautiful, fascinating, yet strangely bleak land.

The primary characters, John and Paul, are great. They really have energy and they buzz. The connection and care shared by the two is heartwarming and rewarding to read of. If two characters were ever the epitome of true friendship, these are the two. De l’Autin gives us glimpses of the pair’s humanity and their workings.

All in all the work is crisp and well-paced. The plot is tight, and while not a spiritual person, I am one who enjoys the benefit of moving prose, which paces its virtues with thought provoking matter.

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