What do you think?
Rate this book
Without Opposite: A Philosophical Adventure
Mind-bending nondualism fiction that speaks the unspeakable.
The original sin is Freudian in this modern version of ancient creation legends. Shatarupa’s mythical hundred manifestations reflect her unrivaled beauty but also the pain of family secrets and unfulfilled dreams. Driven from paradise by an unspeakable act, she must face her demons—who happen to be philosophers. They vie for her feelings with pleasure, art, and sacrifice, inevitably leading to an existential showdown. When Shatarupa finally exposes the origin of humankind and the physical world, it turns the philosophers’ lives upside down. But can she mend her own life and find forgiveness in her heart?
Her tale weaves scandal with timeless myth: As Shatarupa blossoms into womanhood, ancient wisdom and forbidden desires collide, revealing the most profound and elemental of truths.
The original sin is Freudian in this modern version of ancient creation legends. Shatarupa’s mythical hundred manifestations reflect her unrivaled beauty but also the pain of family secrets and unfulfilled dreams. Driven from paradise by an unspeakable act, she must face her demons—who happen to be philosophers. They vie for her feelings with pleasure, art, and sacrifice, inevitably leading to an existential showdown. When Shatarupa finally exposes the origin of humankind and the physical world, it turns the philosophers’ lives upside down. But can she mend her own life and find forgiveness in her heart?
Her tale weaves scandal with timeless myth: As Shatarupa blossoms into womanhood, ancient wisdom and forbidden desires collide, revealing the most profound and elemental of truths.
117 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2022
8 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
Marcel Eschauzier
6 books12 followersMarcel’s Zentient series brings nonduality from lofty promise into lived practice. A playful “zengineer,” he builds bridges where Zen and reason finally stop bickering and hug it out. Join https://simplynondual.substack.com for his latest, and discover much more at https://simplynondual.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 8, 2022
It is true that nothing is what it seems in this psychological mystery that discusses some philosophical questions in a way that the average reader can understand better than in a 'normal' book of philosophy. The story leads the reader through the adventures of Shatarupa, who explores her wishes and desires while discussing philosophical subjects with her friends and lovers. The mystery's 'explanation' is really very surprising and leaves the reader thinking about several philosophical questions treated while the story unfolds. Intriguing and fascinating, it makes the reader want to learn more about the subjects it touches. I only wish it had elaborated more on them.
January 1, 2023
I’m sure that readers and lovers of esoterica will enjoy the somewhat psychedelic, is it a dream or is it real nature of Marcel Eschauzier’s Without Opposite.
I began reading Without Opposite, which from the outset discusses the nature of reality vs people’s experiences of reality, with one very clear fact in my mind (whether the author agrees that is possible is another matter): I have never before encountered a work of fiction that includes a Preface, an Introduction and a Prologue, before it moves on to a series of chapters which are numbered in reverse order.
Is this ground breaking, or something else? Why does a writer of fiction need to include two separate commentaries on the nature of being before he commences his story? Are the claims and philosophical discussions presented in them either logical or coherent? I will leave that to other reviewers to determine, but it seemed to me that at times in this section of Without Opposite Eschauzier indulges in a kind of non-peer-reviewed one-sided unsupported academic grandstanding.
The story itself seemed to me in the tradition of the 1990s bestseller The Celestine Prophecy, where fiction is used as a vehicle for delivering teaching about a philosophical viewpoint, and I know there are lots of readers for this genre. The story reads more as a sex-drugs-and-philosophy parable than psychologically compelling drama with a recognisable story arc or a satisfying conclusion, but it was engagingly written and accessible.
Overall 3 stars.
I began reading Without Opposite, which from the outset discusses the nature of reality vs people’s experiences of reality, with one very clear fact in my mind (whether the author agrees that is possible is another matter): I have never before encountered a work of fiction that includes a Preface, an Introduction and a Prologue, before it moves on to a series of chapters which are numbered in reverse order.
Is this ground breaking, or something else? Why does a writer of fiction need to include two separate commentaries on the nature of being before he commences his story? Are the claims and philosophical discussions presented in them either logical or coherent? I will leave that to other reviewers to determine, but it seemed to me that at times in this section of Without Opposite Eschauzier indulges in a kind of non-peer-reviewed one-sided unsupported academic grandstanding.
The story itself seemed to me in the tradition of the 1990s bestseller The Celestine Prophecy, where fiction is used as a vehicle for delivering teaching about a philosophical viewpoint, and I know there are lots of readers for this genre. The story reads more as a sex-drugs-and-philosophy parable than psychologically compelling drama with a recognisable story arc or a satisfying conclusion, but it was engagingly written and accessible.
Overall 3 stars.
April 11, 2022
The wait is finally over but it was well worth it and I thoroughly enjoyed Marcel Eschauzier’s second book of the Unlock Tao series.
In Without Opposite, the author adds a twist of Excitement and Risqué to complement his Existential Rationalism’s philosophical ideas that unmistakably breathe throughout his latest book.
Be aware though! It is a difficult to put down, page turner book taking the reader on a ride through the hearts, minds and vivid passions of young philosophers, masterfully intertwining with the ultimate questions on life, knowledge and the nature of reality itself.
I certainly do not want to give away any spoilers, but be mindful that up to the very last page, nothing and no one are what they seem but what awaits you is an elegant and fascinating grand finale.
In Without Opposite, the author adds a twist of Excitement and Risqué to complement his Existential Rationalism’s philosophical ideas that unmistakably breathe throughout his latest book.
Be aware though! It is a difficult to put down, page turner book taking the reader on a ride through the hearts, minds and vivid passions of young philosophers, masterfully intertwining with the ultimate questions on life, knowledge and the nature of reality itself.
I certainly do not want to give away any spoilers, but be mindful that up to the very last page, nothing and no one are what they seem but what awaits you is an elegant and fascinating grand finale.
May 20, 2022
The author's stated intent is to discuss philosophy through fiction in this tale of a multiethnic Indian family. It's a short read, and it's very possible its blend of family drama, e*otica, and solipsistic journeys inside the mind will only appeal to a niche audience. The largest hurdle would be the dialogue, which truly reads as if it's been translated from a foreign language into English. Audiences might be forgiving of this in a foreign film, but it makes for strange reading as a novel. "Without Opposite" is certainly different, though. I doubt you'll read another story this year that has a portrait of Beyoncé inspiring a tearful appreciation of the monistic world.
May 10, 2022
The first thing any reader of this book needs to know is that although it is listed as non-fiction, it is fiction. It might explore topics related to philosophy and psychology, but it does so from a purely fictional perspective. Without Opposite, A Philosophical Adventure by Marcel Eschauzier is a series of arguments about the nature of things: art, sex, and drugs. These arguments are put in a fictional setting. I found this approach to fiction/philosophy very challenging and difficult to follow.
I give this work three stars for its excellent use of English, grammer, and punctuation.
I give this work three stars for its excellent use of English, grammer, and punctuation.
May 19, 2022
Without Opposite: A Philosophical Adventure sounds interesting in the beginning but soon degenerates into inconsequential vagueness, beyond the comprehension of an average reader. Hardly close to philosophy, this is the story of a woman who embarks on a lascivious journey to fulfill her desires for freedom. It takes you round and round in circles and suddenly drops you. Does it sound absurd? Well, this is the question that I’ve been asking myself while reading this so-called philosophical adventure!
You would feel cheated when Albert reveals the truth and if it has been done to impress, if it is a twist, it sounds ridiculous! I didn't find any philosophy in his adventures. I must confess that I had to scan some uncanny thoughts of the narrator to make sense of the story. He also uses profane language to convey what could have been said in a refined way.
This is a short story, which has been stretched without the desired impact. Sorry, I didn't like it.
You would feel cheated when Albert reveals the truth and if it has been done to impress, if it is a twist, it sounds ridiculous! I didn't find any philosophy in his adventures. I must confess that I had to scan some uncanny thoughts of the narrator to make sense of the story. He also uses profane language to convey what could have been said in a refined way.
This is a short story, which has been stretched without the desired impact. Sorry, I didn't like it.
November 3, 2022
Without Opposite weaves in and out of realities, and, to be honest, it was a bit beyond me. I think if you know or love philosophy, you might get a lot more out of the story than I did. But there are some great lines like "You discover your destiny by creating it." And some of the writing evokes rich imagery. I guess you'll need to check it out for yourself to see what you think. And it will make you think.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews