A Voice for Independent Authors

“YOU CAN KILL A BOOK QUICKER BY YOUR SILENCE THAN BY A BAD REVIEW.”
― E.A. BUCCHIANERI

REVIEWING TODAY: WALKING WITH THE SERPENT BY DENNIS NOTTEN

In the literary tradition of Carlos Castaneda’s Don Juan books and Marlo Morgan’s Mutant Message, both authors later accused of taking undue literary license with the truth, Walking With the Serpent by Dennis Notten – a proclaimed non-fiction literary memoir of similar spiritual revelation acquired by means of previously-secret indigenous and “medicine” (ayahuasca) produced visions – should be approached by the curious reader with an early personal assessment of the author’s credibility. And, if actual events have been embroidered, or even fictionalized, does the message still supersede the story? When it comes to spiritual understandings, there is a well-honored historical tradition that says it does. If Mr. Notten’s relating of events is literally true, that he was uniquely chosen by an Amazonian indigenous tribe to spread transcendent truths into the wider world, it only adds amazement to an already engaging and revealing read.

Dennis Notten’s fascinating tale of visionary spirituality as revealed in Walking With the Serpent sounds thoroughly authentic. His intense and intimate relationship with the Yawanawá indigenous Amazonians, one that goes beyond a rare-in-itself adoption by the tribe and looks more to be the welcome-back for one intentionally dispersed soul – a prodigal son returneth – informs his literary telling with highly encouraging truths regarding humanity, natural medicines, and the amazingly complex cosmology retained by an ancient culture. The depths Notten explores to personally inhabit and experience that ancient cosmology is courageous. The willingness and extent to which the Yawanawá embrace this “outsider” is heart-breaking (in the best way.) And, simply as a book, this one reads with all the hypnotic tension and spiritual adventure of its illustrious predecessors, and thereby earns a rightful place among them.