Vendetta in Arcadia, by John Panopoulos

   Starting out in a mundanely simple description of a mid-1800s rural Greek family vendetta, Panopoulos’ story gracefully but precipitously snares one’s attention until, putting bookmark into page becomes a reluctant act. Reading this first brief (178 page) volume, one of four, was like discovering not only a spell-binding work of historical fiction and ancient tradition-infused spirituality but, as well, an as yet undiscovered brilliant author: one who, sadly, passed away before he could see its publication.

            Its subtitle, about “…shattered lives, miracles and destiny” only hints at what is waiting for a reader who has experienced a sense — in her/his own right — of the existence of another dimensional aspect of this world and the lives we live in it. For those with such an inner sense of reality, this book serves as a reminder that every choice we make, affecting other human beings, reverberates into both known and unknown realms that are far beyond what we are typically aware as we live within our day-to-day patterns of thought and emotion. 

            Gems of wisdom range from how severe physical suffering may bring about monumental inner changes in the trajectory of one’s lifetime, to the age-old awareness on the quality of one’s mental, emotional and spiritual state, at moment of death, setting course for what comes hereafter.