Corey Stultz

‘A thought provoking and inspiring read. A story of true determination, camaraderie, and self sacrifice.’

Teachings of a Shaman, by Corey Stultz is a novel chronicling the life of Dwayne, a man with a good, honest heart that sadly became addicted to Heroine.

In an attempt to come clean, for both his fiancée, in-laws, and himself, Dwayne (at the request of a court judge) enters into a specialist rehabilitation programme, where he is to spend nine months without the influence of drugs.

I enjoyed this novel even more than I initially thought I would. Dwayne’s character was likeable, and relatable in a way that spoke to the deepest reaches of my core-self. His third person narrative sheds light on his unusual predicament from many angels and perspectives, painting him as both a felon, and a saint at separate points in the story.

I genuinely found myself feeling sorry for Dwayne, because he seems like a nice enough guy, his only flaw being his over-use of drugs toward the story’s start. Otherwise, he comes across as a generous and selfless individual that just wants to have a greater purpose in life.

When Dwayne’s rehabilitation sentence doesn’t go to plan, he is forced to draw on his inner-wisdom, surviving with amnesia in a harsh desert environment with only his basic human instincts. He soon befriends a Native-American Shaman, named Chief Rising Water. The chief quickly became my favourite character. I loved how literally he took forms of modern expression as I tend to view them literally myself.

Dwayne’s bond with the elderly Shaman is like that of a son to his father and over the course of several years, Dwayne becomes wiser and learns how ‘To find inner peace… you must look inside yourself… you must look at the things you can change, not at the things you can’t!’

The bond between Chief Rising Water and Dwayne (Running Bird, as the Chief refers to him) is a strong, eternal link that fills Dwayne with a happiness unlike any he had experienced prior to their meeting.

This inspirational novel is a shining testament to all that is good. So many wise and inspiring quotes fills its pages that I felt as though Chief Rising Water was mentoring me, and not Dwayne.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a positive and wisdom-fuelled read.
Rated: 5 Stars!… (más)