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Travels with Sushi in the Land of the Mind contains some very profound ideas, wrapped up in a fairly simple but well written allegorical adventure story, liberally peppered with complex physics. This latter is hardly surprising, as the author is a quantum physicist and also a prominent Jewish businessman. His debut novel tells of two young siblings, Aaron and Stella, who are tasked with the mission of returning the Book to the people. The book in question contains the teachings of the Supreme Ruler and the people are the Mushi tribes, who live in the Land of the Mind. Over time the Mushi tribes have forgotten the teachings and have diluted and splintered their once coherent and strong focus on living a life of goodness. Because of this, the Black Queen has been able to grow her power and bring evil and chaos into the world. Through her Leaders: Intolerance, Fear, Pride, Indifference, Betrayal and Despair, she is taking over almost unchallenged. The children must enter each of the Leaders' countries on the way to Memory Mountain, where the Book is kept, and in each they face challenging and dangerous situations, some even appearing impossible, but faith in the Supreme Leader carries them through. However, as two of the characters, Albert and Arthur, recognise, it is not through faith alone that the world will be changed for the better. 'Science drives progress and improves the lives of everyone'. It is a fact, though, that science is agnostic and can be used for both good and ill, so science must be used alongside belief and 'only then will we be able to improve our world and destroy evil'. This message, that we must learn to play down the differences in the way we observe our faith and work together, using science, to combat the evil and chaos threatening our world, is very compelling and deserving of more than the 100 pages given to it. I should have liked to see the main characters drawn in greater depth and the challenges in the Black Queen's Leaders countries given more space to build the dramatic tension. I hope that children will enjoy the story and take on board at least some of its message.
Drena Irish, A LoveReading4Kids Ambassador
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Fantasy, science and physics with philosophy all bound together. I wish I had read this as a child.
This is children's book and a really interesting one too. Fantasy, science and physics with philosophy all bound together. I wish I had read this as a child- it makes Physics real and interesting too. Narnia, meets science, meets Lewis Carroll two children find themselves in the Land of the Mind where they were chosen by the ruler to save the land from the Dark Queen and find the Book of Understanding. The illustrations are beautiful and for me, the modernism of the book is sushi - in my day a cheese sandwich. A man who wants to kill because of religion - this is apt today and a story of good versus evil.... Read Full Review
A great story for young minds to read.
Aaron and Stella are swimming when their grandmother calls them. They ignore her calls until she says they are going for sushi. They are staying at their grandparent's house like they do every summer. Their evening trips to the ramshackle sushi restaurant is one of the highlights of their holiday. They love sushi and always have the same thing to eat. Until now... After dinner, they were very tired. They decide to risk trying Mr Ekaku's 2 pieces of gold-coloured sushi on the tray. This is the chef's latest speciality and would like them to try it, as they are very valued customers. As soon as they put the sushi on their tongue, a thousand different flavours burst from within like golden parcels. Warmth spreads over them like a thick woollen blanket. They start to relax. Then their fantasy starts.... Read Full Review