The Maze: An Extraordinary Quest for Enlightenment in a Barren Desert

by Lucy Rees

In 1992, Lucy Rees's journey on horseback across Arizona became a quest for spiritual enlightenment. A carving of a Cretan maze near Tintagel in Cornwall had always fascinated Lucy's companion Rick. In Arizona they were surprised to find from an illustration in a book, that this same carving could be found on a rock on one of three barren mesas in north-east Arizona where the last remaining Hopi native Americans had built their villages. The search for the maze announced itself as the purpose of their journey.

But beyond their shared love of wild places, and this finishing point, they had a third, less clear purpose, an agenda only gradually revealed to them as events unfolded. They entered upon this journey in a spirit of exploration knowing that somewhere there was a centre, but uncertain as to what it was or what mysteries it might uncover.

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Lorelie B · Rating 5 out of 5]

A journey of self discovery. Beautiful and heartbreaking. I don’t wish to leave spoilers, but I have been through what the central character has been through, and never seen it so faithfully and eloquently described on the page. Amazing writing can help you make sense of your own lived experience, and this did. An emotionally challenging read, but worth it.

[Donna Ziegler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not to quibble, but I think Rees is describing a labyrinth rather than a maze although maze is a better description of her journey. She write a sometimes humorous, honest account of her trip by horseback through the southwest which I found interesting.

[Billie Hinton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply lovely book. Rich description and thoughtful approach to the human relationship with horses. I highly recommend.