Letters Across Time

Using an engaging narrative about a family of ducks, interwoven with other stories and commentary, Stephen Chong succeeds in imparting a great deal of life wisdom. The background includes an iconic Book of Mysteries, which provides a source of spiritual inspiration and was written by Alfred, the great grandfather of the central character, Monique. The ducks go through many ups and downs, but the Book is always there as guidance. The intent is to enable readers to realise their fullest potential and the chapter headings have suggestive titles such as 'every act in life is an act of self-definition, whatever you wish to create for yourself, create for another, and what would love do next?' The format means that the narrative is interspersed with parables - many involving advice from the old to the young - before the reader returns to the pond and the ducks. At the end, the younger Alfred loses his parents in an earthquake but manages to find the Book in the rubble and reads the perennial message of awakening addressed to every generation. Significantly, the last part of the book is blank with the message that is now our story to continue. As the book's subtitle suggests, it is indeed a journey of enlightenment.