Book Review: Spirited Life and Afterlife Stories by Mike Friedman
Where Will You Venture After Life on Earth?
You Might Need An Emissary...
Do You Have Questions About Life and Afterlife?
If you study philosophy, you have likely confronted the global religions and their alternatives to an afterlife. If you read science fiction or watch it in movies or on television, you no doubt have encountered many more alternatives to the next life, whether it is nonexistent, mental, physical, or other-dimensional.
All of this can raise more questions than answers can be provided by philosophy and religion.
If you have questions about what happens after the years we are granted on this planet - and even if you are sure where you will or will not go next - author Mike Friedman offers two sets of stories offering alternative answers that warm the heart and bolster the mind to come up with even more answers.
I am incapable of conceiving infinity, and yet I do not accept finity. I want this adventure that is the context of my life to go on without end.
— Simone de Beauvoir, La VieillesseAnswers in the Footsteps of a White Horse
Mr. Friedman knows what he is writing, certainly, and has won the annual Best Fiction Writer Award for a number of years. He is esteemed and supported by many faithful readers and one hopes that you will join them.
The Carriage Driver, with a sequel to appear in the future, is a unique collection of stories about the lives and backgrounds of individuals and how they are escorted into their next chapters. I think that you will be moved by at least some of these stories. In fact, many people continue to read the book several times.
Meet a white horse in this book and be captivated. Let yourself be intrigued by each alternative journey.
A Logical Choice for Considering the Afterlife
Michael Friedman is a logical choice of author to poke around in readers' minds in order to extrude creative thoughts about life and afterlife.
However, a site called Mediander.com, gave him the profile of a philosophy professor accidentally. What fun! Still, Mike makes philosophy of afterlife alternatives fun and easy to understand - something that many professors cannot achieve.
. From out of all this and more, Michael has created a set of stories about the physical and metaphysical that appeal to those outside university walls and to those who may never have thought about philosophy or what happens to humans after this life.
I am glad that he did this. Several of his stories are among my favorites of all stories from Ancient Days to Modern Times.
Who is the Mysterious Nuelle?
Who is the Carriage Driver?
While one's earthly remains travel by coffin or urn of ashes to an end point, the long-time carriage driver in a top hat with his equine emissary Nuelle elegantly transports the real people departing this life. They all travel to different locales.
At the end of some of the driver's stories, you may wish that you could go along with the characters, their futures seem so compelling..
The departing souls enjoy a comfortable carriage ride, sometimes touring their hometown a final time before shimmering out of this dimension.
It is a much better ride than one would have with the boatman on the river Styx or on the Klingon Black Ship.
Sometimes, Nuelle is the only one who really knows what's going on in a particular case. This horse is always ready for the journey. So who is the real driver - the man, the horse, or both?
Promises in Boston
Michael says in his own description of his book "This work presents the instances where a person’s life has led to a carriage ride to the Promised Land."
The book leads the reader to serene and/or stimulating thoughts in the current day as well. As a pastor once said, "Last Days!? These are our ONLY days, so we need to make the most of them."
But still, there is After.
The stories in this book encompass Boston, Massachusetts with place names that might be familiar to you. Other places may not be familiar at all - like the comfortable interior of the carriage drawn by Nuelle, who likes about half an apple for a snack every day.
The driver in the top hat is well dressed and kind, sometimes following Nuelle's lead as they gather souls for delivery to that Promised Land. Each individual has their own concept of it and some of these ideas are astonishing.
What might be called Heaven by many of us is located just past a way-station in the Beyond, called The Castle.
Castle Options - Some Familiar, Some Not
In the other-wordly castle, the Traveler may meet friends and family, but even if (s)he meets no one else, (s)he enjoys the ministrations of a cordial staff. The Castle is pleasant and welcoming, a place to be nourished before going on.
Interestingly, such a place is found in certain religious teachings -- One pastor has described a glade under trees where angels bring food before one enters Heaven, for instance..
Travelers may rest a short while in the castle way-station and then journey on, or in some cases, they may even return to Earth for a special assignment mission. All the while, the carriage driver has his carriage, top hat, and horse at the ready.
The Old High Silk Hat
Top hats can lead one to many places - like the Chocolate Factory, a Mad Tea Party, or the Promised Land. I imagine the carriage driver in the book to be someone like Fred Astaire or Patrick Stewart.
They Can't Take That Away
The way you wear your hat, The way you sip your tea, The mem'ry of all that No, no! They can't take that away from me!
— Fred Astaire inFavorite Chapters
Each story is better than the last, but my favorites are likely the most unusual of the group:
- The Aviarist - The gem-like colors of the world's birds bring to mind the rainbow, the light spectrum, flowers, and a jeweler's showcase. You may think of all those things as you read this engaging story. Do you know anyone who has collected colorful birds throughout a lifetime? What does one do with them ultimately? This story describes a beautiful option
- The Pianist - Have you ever seen a piano in the company of angels? Is there music in Heaven? -- Many sources already say there is beautiful music there.
Other stories in this book focus on a trumpeter, children, couples, and individuals who come back to Earth rather than continue to the other side. And who takes people to "The Other Place" (no Heaven)? There seems to be a whole stable of them!
Spirit In the Sky (Norman Greenbaum): Released in 1969
Consider Your Years Before the Carriage Ride
Will you be happy in your senior years?
Setting: It is around the the middle of the 21st century and you are in your 70s, 80s or 90s - are you happy? You could be!
As long as I am breathing, in my eyes, I am just beginning.
— Criss Jami, KillosophySo what if I'm ninety-three? So what if I'm ancient and cranky and my body's a wreck? If they're willing to accept me and my guilty conscience, why the hell shouldn't I run away with the circus? ... I'm not running away - I'm coming home!
— Sara Gruen, "Water For Elephants" book and filmAs Lively As In Youth
Mystery Tonight!
Mysteries occur one after another in the lives of Quinn, Betty and his adult daughter. Some of these thrillers involve murder and others involve the backstories of classic pieces of art like those stolen during WWII raids by the Third Reich. We also hear about the lives of Quinn and Betty before the timeline of the book. The stories occur locally in Clearview Terrace, but take the characters to Europe more than once. The book has a pleasant variety.
The stories pack a lot of interest and action into the lives of an older couple. I hope the stories and the characters encourage older people to remain active as long as possible..
A Man Needs A Trusty Auto
Quinn's major hobby is restoring and maintaining his 1946 wood-paneled Chrysler Town and Country (a "Woody") and an occasional trip to a book shop operated by Blake Knightly. The characters remind me of the inhabitants of the town of Pickaxe, Michigan in "The Cat Who" mysteries.
Another Helping Of Life
If you want to read about additional characters and their life events, you can try a copy of Mike's Emerald Wells Cafe and Pear Blossom Lane. The stories take place in and around a cafe diner in Emerald Wells, Texas and Mike says about this book: "It’s a western. It’s a poetry book. It’s a romance. It’s a food book. It’s the lost biography of the USA. In my heart, I am from Emerald Wells."
With over 400 pages of great characters and stories, this book is rated 100% at five stars out of five on Amazon.com.
You'll likely find something fascinating and engaging in any of these Michael Friedman books. No matter which ones you choose, they will give you entertainment and something to consider while you are figuring out where you will go after you leave Earth.
Beyond the door there's peace I'm sure
And I know there'll be no more tears in heaven
— Eric ClaptonEric Clapton's Tears In Heaven
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
© 2016 Patty Inglish MS
Comments
Such nice review and well put together Hub. Loved it, thanks.
Patty
The first one reminded me of Bunyan's 'Pilgrims progress'. It sounds like a series of 'enchanting tales'
Might have to go on my 'to read' list.
Lawrence
I'm looking forward to it, Mike! (And I see my numb fingers omitted the 'h' from your name in my previous comment. So sorry.)
Hi. Shyron. Thanks for your support of The Carriage Driver Series. Also, the Quinn and Betty stories were fun to write. Since they had a thread running through them it was actually fairly easy week after week to answer the question, ‘What comes next?”
Patty, that is funny, I should have carried a pen with me on all the book hunting and signed all the Star Trek books.
Hi mar. Thank you for classifying my titles as favorites. That is appreciated.
Hello Peg. The ‘gang’ at Emerald Wells Café had a good time. Those were the days. Poetry and pastry is how I explain it.
Hi MsDora. There are several episodes still posted on Hubpages for you to sample if you wish.
Hello Theresa. Thank you for your kind comments. You are appreciated.
Hello Nellieanna. Thank you. The Carriage Driver is a peek behind the curtain. I certainly hope you enjoy my excursions into the imagination.
Hello Patty. Thanks again for all your hard work putting together an overview of my work here on Hubpages. I am so glad you enjoyed the stories.
I'm all the more convinced that I must read Micael's book and that answers and clarifications I seek are to be found there! I'll have it in hand tomorrow.
Thank you, Patty, for your scholarly review!
Hi Patty,
You've done such a superb job here in your wonderful review of The Carriage Driver. I cherish my copy. Mike has a gift no doubt in his creative writing and more. He is also an all-around good guy who is humble about his writing. There is nothing else around like The Carriage Driver.
I bet Mike had a great imagination as a child too.
Peace and blessings
This review on Mike's book endorses another one I read just a few minutes ago. Sure would like to read it. Thanks!
Patty, what a great job you've done here highlighting Mike's books and stories. They've captivated me along with his other works of fiction. It's like a mini-vacation reading about the folks at Emerald Wells Cafe and the afterlife is presented in The Carriage Driver as a joyous journey of hope, as is promised. Quinn and Betty's adventures take us on a different sort of journey where we have mystery and intrigue. Nicely done. Sharing this great review.
Comprehensive and heartfelt review of books that are classified as "favorites" on my shelves - excellent job, Patty - most well-deserved, dear Mike.
Hi Patty - I was surprised when I found out I wrote all the Star Trek books. Heck, I might be wealthy if I had. haha
Patty, this is a wonder description of Mike's Carriage Driver.
I enjoy his series and I have enjoyed your making them Driver and Nuelle come to life.
I also enjoy the Moosebroker mysteries, my favorite where Betty and Quinn switch a painting for a phony and pass it off for the real McCoy.
Blessings Patty
Hello Patty. The reference to Medialander and Stanford are a different Mike Friedman. I do so appreciate your efforts here. Even without those two references, you have highlighted the Carriage Driver and Nuelle so very well.
Indeed no mumbo jumbo. Those that have lived a good life and are deserving, go on to their reward. That is what we have been taught.
A toast to our rewards.
Hello Patty. Thank you for this. You have done such a nice job with this. Your description of the message is so focused. The character of the Carriage Driver and Nuelle seem to come to life with your telling of the story. You have also highlighted two of my favorite episodes The Avarist and The Pianist. Each of those were a pleasure to write.
I appreciate the mention of The Quinn Moosebroker Mysteries and also Emerald Wells Café. Emerald Wells Café brought joy as I published here on Hubpages. Your depiction of Quinn and Betty is very good, the message is clear, go out and enjoy your time here and together.
The internet has mislead you regarding my bio. You made me sound so scholarly, I hate to say anything.
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