Introducing myself

[Adrienne Patton]

Rosina -

Thank you for your words on the Shirley MacLaine
"issue".  It was just what I was thinking and you said
it it such a lovely way.

Regardless of one's belief systems, there is much good
to be found in her book.  It was the only book of hers
that I've read, and I found her to be a warm,
intriguing and sincere person.

I came to hear about the Camino for the first time
through the TV interview I overheard after her book
came out.  I immediately bought the book - it was my
first Camino research.

She brought me to know the Camino, and has done the
same for many Americans.  I will always be grateful to
her for that.

The Camino calls us in many different ways.  What a
beautiful thing!

The same thing has happened in Brazil with Coelho's
book - it brought many many Brazilians to the Camino.
The Alchemist is now at the top of my reading list.
(Thanks, Denise!)

Love and Peace,
Adrienne


--- Rosina Lila <BlaroliaAOL.COM> wrote:
> Hello Lois, Laura, Adrienne et. al
> Your various references to Shirley McLaine's book
> have caught my eye.
> I returned from Spain last week (not from the
> Camino,  but from Seville's
> Holy Week), and while there I was asked so many
> questions related t Shirley's
> book that I felt compelled to go out and get a copy
> and reread it.  The book
> is selling briskly, at least in Andalucia, and has
> sparked a  lively
> curiosity.
> Again, as I did the first time I read it, I bypassed
> the conversations with
> "John", and the remembrances of Carlomagno, and the
> ubiquitous metaphysical
> references; nevertheless I found things to admire in
> the book that escaped me
> before:  the succint and simple way in which Shirley
> describes the striking
> challenge of the Camino: total surrender to one's
> self, without the supports
> and conveniences of modern times; the yearning for
> some olden ages when the
> spirit was unencumbered by the accruements of modern
> life, and was,
> therefore, freer, and, eventually,  the simple way
> in which Shirley herself
> surrenders to faith metaphorically, despite her
> disinclination to do so, by
> the simple purchase of a small cross (which she
> believed had been hers some
> lifetimes ago), and the comfort and security she
> found, when needed,  just
> by clutching the small cross in her hand.
> On reading the book, sort of, for the second time, I
> could see why it is
> enjoying a, rather belated, success in Spain, of all
> places.
> While in Seville I got quite a few new and
> interesting books on the Camino. I
> will write about them later.
> Meanwhile, I wish to extend a personal welcome to
> those of you new in this
> list.
> Sincerely,
> Rosina


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