I was introduced to this book by a German regular visitor to Tiruvanamalai . When he said this was the book which brought him to India, I was naturally curious to read the book and bought it.
That said, this is a very well written book( probably because the author was a journalist by profession) about the author’s search of spirituality in India . It has been almost 5 years since I last read this book but I still recommend to anyone who has an open mind to spirituality.
The author’s chance encounter with an exiled Maharaj in Europe sets him on a unplanned trip to India which almost gets cancelled after he lands . The author’s objective description of many non rational events as they happened to him is woven very well into the narrative . You get the feeling that the author is no more a believer or non believer than the average person on spirituality but is forced to acknowledge certain truths based on personal experience.
As mentioned in the other review on this site, the author also meets many charlatans who claim to be spiritual( He actually meets many charlatans first in his journey)
His meeting with the Paramacharya in Kanchi and the cryptic prophesy he makes are well narrated as are his personal experiences with Ramana Maharishi.
A very lucky author indeed to be able to meet such spiritual giants in person .