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The Oarsman
In the story, a magical river begins singing, and a dying man suddenly aches to know if the paradise at its end is real enough to fill his heart.
He hires an oarsman to take him upstream, but a twisted encounter sends them back to revisit every role the man has played in his long life.
A merchant hoarding, an artist painting love, a warrior looking for peace in war, and a dreamer imagining himself a knight to fight a dragon — these, and more, were faces of the man.
As sinister agents relentlessly pursue, and as they row further back into the man’s past, the man begins to suspect that the oarsman is more than he seems.
The Oarsman, with its combination of adventure, fantasy, and spiritual inspiration will delight any reader, and also excite the currents of the river flowing through all our hearts.
He hires an oarsman to take him upstream, but a twisted encounter sends them back to revisit every role the man has played in his long life.
A merchant hoarding, an artist painting love, a warrior looking for peace in war, and a dreamer imagining himself a knight to fight a dragon — these, and more, were faces of the man.
As sinister agents relentlessly pursue, and as they row further back into the man’s past, the man begins to suspect that the oarsman is more than he seems.
The Oarsman, with its combination of adventure, fantasy, and spiritual inspiration will delight any reader, and also excite the currents of the river flowing through all our hearts.
- GenresFiction
208 pages, Paperback
Published November 18, 2016
6 people are currently reading
522 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 21, 2017
The Oarsman is an incredible book. From the beginning, as we start on the story of Man, the oarsman and The Judge, I understood that it was going to be one of those books that will inspire me and change the way I think.
This has to be understood that the author hasn't given any names to these characters. They are just 'Man', 'The Oarsman', 'The Judge', 'The Artist', 'The Merchant, 'The Warrior' and so on.. It is indeed because he wants to generalise them. That point impressed me from the beginning. Moving on to the story, the Oarsman is the tale of a Man who after losing his wife goes on a journey to some wondrous shores but when told that he is not worthy yet, he tries to revisit his past and change whatever necessary to make himself worthy. Throughout the book, he has only one goal and that is to see those promised shores. the Oarsman helps him in such journey while the judge provides the word of caution always reminding him of what he has to do to become worthy. I understood by reading this that both the judge and the oarsman are faces of a coin.
Now for the writing style, it highly impressed me because I literally had goosebumps reading some lines and others just won my heart straight out. Some such quotes are:
Till the Artist, I was fully engrossed in the story and surprised even myself because I do not usually read any spiritual fantasy and did not think it would suit my taste. But afterwards, as the Merchant came along, I could feel my attention dwindling. What followed is a little confusing because I don't know if it was my boredom or the book's change of pace that led to my loss of interest in the story.
It picked up my interest once again in the last few pages but by then I had already endured the tiresome part, so the pleasure was nothing in comparison.
This has to be understood that the author hasn't given any names to these characters. They are just 'Man', 'The Oarsman', 'The Judge', 'The Artist', 'The Merchant, 'The Warrior' and so on.. It is indeed because he wants to generalise them. That point impressed me from the beginning. Moving on to the story, the Oarsman is the tale of a Man who after losing his wife goes on a journey to some wondrous shores but when told that he is not worthy yet, he tries to revisit his past and change whatever necessary to make himself worthy. Throughout the book, he has only one goal and that is to see those promised shores. the Oarsman helps him in such journey while the judge provides the word of caution always reminding him of what he has to do to become worthy. I understood by reading this that both the judge and the oarsman are faces of a coin.
Now for the writing style, it highly impressed me because I literally had goosebumps reading some lines and others just won my heart straight out. Some such quotes are:
She asked her beloved what he wished for, and he said he only wished to sit there with her for as long as forever.
"Stars are funny like this my love," said the Woman with a warm laugh. "They like thrusting their timelessness into you without even asking."
"Have you not ached for something so completely that it hollows you out the longer you don't have it?"
Till the Artist, I was fully engrossed in the story and surprised even myself because I do not usually read any spiritual fantasy and did not think it would suit my taste. But afterwards, as the Merchant came along, I could feel my attention dwindling. What followed is a little confusing because I don't know if it was my boredom or the book's change of pace that led to my loss of interest in the story.
It picked up my interest once again in the last few pages but by then I had already endured the tiresome part, so the pleasure was nothing in comparison.
December 3, 2016
The Oarsman, by Zubin Mathai, is a wonderfully inspiring read, undoubtedly one of the more beautifully penned literary works. Like the famous, Alchemist, which this book parallels in style, The Oarsman is eloquently written, with a river of imagery and metaphors. It is a book which transcends the world of pure humanity, by showing us that there is a collective force, empowered by love and our innermost spiritual essence, which is far more relevant and eternal, than all the world around us. To get a sense of the nature of the writing, here are a couple lines: "The clouds were puffy like sheep, the trees waved hellos, and the sky pulsed a heartbeat of blue." and "How beautiful...that innocence and love could paint a world more real than any brush against canvas." The story line follows the Old Man, the main character, as he searches out his life for reconciliation, a man who is seeking final peace, and who discovers, with the help of the Oarsman, an intriguing and adventure-filled world of his own past. Highly recommended. A book which reminds us of inner peace and beauty which transcends everything.
December 16, 2016
This is a Goodreads win review. This book is a combination of adventure, fantasy and spirit. A dying man hires an oarsman because he wants to go to paradise. But when he is on his journey a judge stops them at every turn so the man can see what he has done in his life.
July 9, 2019
The Oarsman tells the story of a man's life and his goal to reach paradise. The characters aren't given names, just titles. Each chapter focuses on some aspect of the man's past. Showing the different roles he has embodied and ultimately, that even though things weren't perfect, he lived a life worth living.
I found the story to be highly meta. It's a re-evaluation of life and worth on your death bed story. Without spoiling the big moments of the story, I found the most important part of The Oarsman to be that self-worth is for the individual to find, and not to be judged from the outside looking in. We all have a good and bad voice in our heads. Mathai takes that and uses it to create an interesting, episodic, self-quest.
I received this book as part of a Good Reads First Reads giveaway.
I found the story to be highly meta. It's a re-evaluation of life and worth on your death bed story. Without spoiling the big moments of the story, I found the most important part of The Oarsman to be that self-worth is for the individual to find, and not to be judged from the outside looking in. We all have a good and bad voice in our heads. Mathai takes that and uses it to create an interesting, episodic, self-quest.
I received this book as part of a Good Reads First Reads giveaway.
February 5, 2017
I won this book through GoodReads giveaway.
I was trying to compare this story to other novels, but actually you can't. Even though I would think of "The Little Prince", "Don Quixote", "The Alchemist", this is unique tale, that is nothing like other stories.
It's magical, spiritual, interesting and smart read.
It shows the journey of old man, who tries to get to promised land. He is old and tired and left alone. He just want to get to the other side of the river. But the Judge demands, he shows he is worthy crossing the river. And so one last journey for an old Man begins.
The author Zubin Mathai is an indie writer. His style of writing is beautiful and magical. He deserve recognition and applause. This is really amazing and wise novel!
I was trying to compare this story to other novels, but actually you can't. Even though I would think of "The Little Prince", "Don Quixote", "The Alchemist", this is unique tale, that is nothing like other stories.
It's magical, spiritual, interesting and smart read.
It shows the journey of old man, who tries to get to promised land. He is old and tired and left alone. He just want to get to the other side of the river. But the Judge demands, he shows he is worthy crossing the river. And so one last journey for an old Man begins.
The author Zubin Mathai is an indie writer. His style of writing is beautiful and magical. He deserve recognition and applause. This is really amazing and wise novel!
August 22, 2017
A beautiful and eloquently written tale of an old man wanting to attain paradise, but first he must revisit his life. His guide is The Oarsman and the tale has them travelling back and revisiting his life. It isn't like other tales and requires the reader to invest themself and take the time to appreciate it. At times it is a little confusing, but well worth the effort. If you want a simple, straight forward read then please don't choose this book. If you want more then it is an excellent read. I won this book in a goodreads giveaway.
December 25, 2016
The judge and an angel of death upset a Man and the Oarsman’s quest to get to paradise. Forced to revisit his past, the Man whitewashes his sins in the quest for greater good. It is a tale of self-doubts that wanders as the man and oarsmen wander. It was good premise that seemed drawn out for such a short story.
February 18, 2017
This has to be one of the most beautiful stories that I have ever read.
The old man had hired the Oarsman to take him on a journey up stream to see if the fabled shores at the river's end were real. His wife of many, many, years had died and she had been his only reason to live. He was tired and wanted to reach the rivers end with the Oarsman, but Judge would not let them pass though not until the old man went back down the river, to revisit different periods in his life and find reasons for the unworthiness that the Judge could see in his face. In order to pass this place to the journey's end he must return back there changed, by proving his worth.
We all have markers in time where decisions are made and the course of our lives direction changes. These are the old mans. There is something that is so innocent and pure about this story, and it makes you feel humble to look into this mans life. The roles he plays in life, not just the ones he wants to but the ones he has to play. Each one has such a deep meaning behind it. The Oarsman and the old man journey back down the river turning back time and at each place they stop the Judge is also there to hinder them. At each stop the Oarsman and the old man make, the old man meets himself at a different stage in his life and when they leave the Oarsman promises he will return to pick them up. There are eight stops on the man's journey back to the day he was born. Where astrologers are gathering to sell the new parents predictions for the new baby's life. Each seeing something different for the child. It is here that an old woman gives the truest prediction of all and I wept. And as I write this I cry now. I was so, so, touched.
This is such a spiritual journey not only for the old man that you read about but for yourself too. It didn't start off like that it began as me reading a story but his journey and reflection on the meaning of his life became mine too. There isn't anything that I could possible compare this book to. I love the way Zubin Mathia writes, the imagery that he creates is just magical in it's self, the colours he describes in the most unusual way and as you read it is like you can hear the boat cut through the water. A truly wonderful journey
The old man had hired the Oarsman to take him on a journey up stream to see if the fabled shores at the river's end were real. His wife of many, many, years had died and she had been his only reason to live. He was tired and wanted to reach the rivers end with the Oarsman, but Judge would not let them pass though not until the old man went back down the river, to revisit different periods in his life and find reasons for the unworthiness that the Judge could see in his face. In order to pass this place to the journey's end he must return back there changed, by proving his worth.
We all have markers in time where decisions are made and the course of our lives direction changes. These are the old mans. There is something that is so innocent and pure about this story, and it makes you feel humble to look into this mans life. The roles he plays in life, not just the ones he wants to but the ones he has to play. Each one has such a deep meaning behind it. The Oarsman and the old man journey back down the river turning back time and at each place they stop the Judge is also there to hinder them. At each stop the Oarsman and the old man make, the old man meets himself at a different stage in his life and when they leave the Oarsman promises he will return to pick them up. There are eight stops on the man's journey back to the day he was born. Where astrologers are gathering to sell the new parents predictions for the new baby's life. Each seeing something different for the child. It is here that an old woman gives the truest prediction of all and I wept. And as I write this I cry now. I was so, so, touched.
This is such a spiritual journey not only for the old man that you read about but for yourself too. It didn't start off like that it began as me reading a story but his journey and reflection on the meaning of his life became mine too. There isn't anything that I could possible compare this book to. I love the way Zubin Mathia writes, the imagery that he creates is just magical in it's self, the colours he describes in the most unusual way and as you read it is like you can hear the boat cut through the water. A truly wonderful journey
February 4, 2017
The Oarsman is simultaneously a fantasy/adventure novel and a literary work of art with gems of spiritual wisdom sprinkled throughout.
The story takes us on a journey in the time of knights and dragons with an 80-year old Man who recently lost his beloved wife and now wants to reach the “promised shores” he has heard sung of all his life. An Oarsman is taking him down river toward his goal until they meet a Judge standing on an island, who won’t let him pass.
He is sent back to review his life: “If you come back more worthy, learned from your mistakes, you will be free to pass.”
What follows is a beautifully written account of a Man witnessing all the roles he has played in his life, from an Artist to a Merchant to a Dreamer, a Warrior, an Apprentice, a Boy and an Infant. The vile critical voice of the Judge appears in various forms from a dragon to a whirlpool in the river to sabotage the Man, in opposition to the help offered by the Oarsman to this Man so in need of rescue.
The Man must find from where his dissatisfaction with life and critical inner voice came. What he learns along the way, with the help of the ever-wise Oarsman, is to focus on life’s bright spots instead of ruminating over his unworthiness. Can he return to the purity of the newborn and see the love that makes him worthy?
Anyone who has ever experienced self-judgment or doubt about the meaning of one’s life will find this magical fantasy a revelation in how we bring about our own misery, and how we can instead see the value of our life’s experiences.
Using beautiful imagery in which all of nature is alive and involved with the Man’s journey, author Zubin Mathai has transformed an age-old theme, of reviewing our life at its end, into an inspiring adventure teaching that we are all worthy at our core.
The story takes us on a journey in the time of knights and dragons with an 80-year old Man who recently lost his beloved wife and now wants to reach the “promised shores” he has heard sung of all his life. An Oarsman is taking him down river toward his goal until they meet a Judge standing on an island, who won’t let him pass.
He is sent back to review his life: “If you come back more worthy, learned from your mistakes, you will be free to pass.”
What follows is a beautifully written account of a Man witnessing all the roles he has played in his life, from an Artist to a Merchant to a Dreamer, a Warrior, an Apprentice, a Boy and an Infant. The vile critical voice of the Judge appears in various forms from a dragon to a whirlpool in the river to sabotage the Man, in opposition to the help offered by the Oarsman to this Man so in need of rescue.
The Man must find from where his dissatisfaction with life and critical inner voice came. What he learns along the way, with the help of the ever-wise Oarsman, is to focus on life’s bright spots instead of ruminating over his unworthiness. Can he return to the purity of the newborn and see the love that makes him worthy?
Anyone who has ever experienced self-judgment or doubt about the meaning of one’s life will find this magical fantasy a revelation in how we bring about our own misery, and how we can instead see the value of our life’s experiences.
Using beautiful imagery in which all of nature is alive and involved with the Man’s journey, author Zubin Mathai has transformed an age-old theme, of reviewing our life at its end, into an inspiring adventure teaching that we are all worthy at our core.
December 28, 2016
The Oarsman by Zubin Mathai is one of the most fascinating reads I have read. It begins with a man set on a journey. A journey to finding that peace he so desperately yearns for...yet resides within him the whole time. Peaceful, engaging, and inspiring. Readers will enjoy this tale. A fantasy that allows readers to explore the character's deep soul. As the story unfolds the man has a lot to learn before his journey is complete. Man struggles. Life is complex and difficult. But if we truly allow ourselves time to discover, we can find what we search for inside ourselves. I loved the deep meanings found on the pages. Rich, entertaining, and beautifully told. The book almost makes life look like a maze. We all must find our way to the end (opening). Overall, I highly recommend The Oarsman to all.
February 8, 2017
An interesting look back on his life and the many people he was before facing his death. I read it slowly in the evenings, giving me time to think about each part as I fell asleep at night.
February 8, 2017
The oarsman is a very unique story. It can be hard to follow sometimes, but overall its an interesting read :)
March 10, 2017
This book arrived magically into my life. Each chapter allows me to examine my own life and see and understand , with a new vision each experience led to another for my growth, wisdom..Even the most difficult are gifts...Thank you so much...This book is a gem, It really is...
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December 8, 2016Can't wait to recieve and read this book. So excited. I will edit this review when I recieve the book.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews