These are some of the comments readers have made about Coming Home to Story
CL (Australia)
I have read your book and really enjoyed it. I found it very personal and also practical. I was also very moved by the Jumping Mouse story – it is very profound and I hope to draw on it at some stage. Reading your book has ignited my interest in storytelling even more than it was and I certainly will be investigating ways I can develop my own skills in this area.
LRR
I have just finished reading ‘Coming Home to Story’ and wanted to write to say thank you for such an inspirational book. You bring the powers and possibilities of storytelling vividly to life!
LC
Your book is life-affirming. I’ve just reached the end today – it’s made tube journeys very tearful… 9 times was the total count of tears welling up in response to something you’d written coming at me unawares at different points in the literary journey as the tube train clattered along carrying people obliviously.
IJ (Denmark)
Geoff: thanks a zillion for your book which I read on the way back to Copenhagen. I loved it, and you have obviously found your vocation. Keep ‘em coming!
CJ
Your book is delighting me. I’ve not read anything [before] that weaves together the story of a deep personal journey with that of transforming a life and building new capacity while at the same time training me in new ways of seeing the world along with specific skills to try out. Inspiring me with new ideas – I have many stories inside me!
MP
I have had the much needed luxury of reading Coming Home to Story this weekend. Lying in bed, with the rain and the sheep outside I was utterly absorbed. It feels so right [as author of If You Sit very Still] to follow this excellent, pioneering book. It was really helpful to learn more about male vulnerability and the undoing of false myths around that and the writing of a truer story. I liked the balance between universal story and personal story and the timing of the introduction of the personal. The tension between ‘safe space’ and self confrontation was somehow echoed by the unravelling of the boundaries between ‘story teller’ and therapy.
It is great to have the stories to read and re-read too. The effect was liberating, exciting and moving. Much more to ponder upon…and cry with. Chris Seeley’s illustrations reach into the primitive depths of story… so powerful.
EM
Geoff Mead’s beautifully presented book delighted me. I didn’t expect to be gripped by a non-fiction book that I was reading to help me learn more about ideas of ‘narrative leadership’. But the weaving of personal memoir, with the theory of story telling, and some terrific tales – from various traditions, and ones created by [the author] himself – made the book compelling, instructive, and exciting.
VC
I have read your book – twice. I am very much impressed. It is extremely well written and well published, nice in the hand. I admire your honesty, strength of purpose and belief in what you do, which is creative. It left me much moved and I found myself speaking to you a lot in my head. The book is fabulous!
GS
I have just finished Coming Home to Story. A fabulously rich insight from a master craftsman. I sense a text that will be well thumbed and consistently revisited.
SC
I am writing to thank you for writing Coming Home to Story. I found the book by chance in a lunchtime walk, propped up against William Blake’s grave in Bunhill Fields cemetery. I picked the book up and the pages fell open at the chapter on the giant with no heart, whose story I started to read. I felt compelled to read the book, and half thought about taking this copy with me, but I knew that wouldn’t be right, so I put the book back by Blake’s grave and purchased a copy online a few weeks later.
I found the book powerful and enlightening. Your book spoke to me on a very personal level right to the end. The words you wrote from Cavafy’s poem at the opening of the epilogue are inscribed on the steps leading up to the castle in my home town and I have never forgotten them. Now I know who wrote them.
AW
I just wanted to let you know that I am finding your book utterly extraordinary. I’ve found myself weeping inexplicably at different moments in the reading – often relating to those times when you are evoking the ‘great beyond’. I’m finding deep inner questions being answered and your work on Story is taking me to new heights – I feel like the little Jumping Mouse!
FM
Your book, Coming Home to Story, is superb. It’s a gift. Congratulations, and thank you. It gripped me and didn’t take long to finish. I was so moved by your story of rescuing the log-that-was-your-father out of the river, and blown away by your and Daphne’s story in Crete. My goodness. As to the writing, it was eloquent and earthed and so well threaded – I didn’t want it to end and a number of times saw myself in your pages. What’s your next book going to be about, and when’s it due?
CJ
What a beautiful book. Thank you so much for writing it… I loved it all from beginning to end… your lovely rendition of so many heart warming stories. I particularly loved Tom’s story. I’m passing the book on – temporarily – to my step son who has temporarily lost his way as a young man. I have an idea that your text will speak to him; I certainly hope so.
PF
Just wanted to say that I read the book and I thought it was tremendous – a really powerful journey and very well told. It was your honesty and openness about the events in your own life which just reinforced the impact. It opened up a whole new stream of thought for me. I am sure this will only be the first of further books as you write so well.
AB
I read Coming Home to Story on Sunday – the whole thing! I thoroughly enjoyed it. Beforehand I’d suspected I’d most enjoy the traditional stories – and I did (it was a guilty pleasure, reading about talking animals, trolls and princesses) but I also greatly enjoyed the author’s narrative, particularly his experience as a “messenger” of Hermes and in finally dealing with the death of his father, both of which I found quite moving. Definitely a story worth telling (and hearing). And the book is pleasingly readable – in terms of both the content and the layout.
FR
This is an important book which illustrates perfectly that the quickest way between a man’s head and his heart is – story. Today, when there is such urgent need to change human hearts your reminder of the importance of story is timely. Stories are like miniature time bombs, easy to swallow down but once ingested they can ultimately explode received thinking and revive atrophied feeling. I am sure that your book is going to change many lives for the better with the brilliant little time bombs it contains, all enclosed within your own life changing story.
RN
I found this book an unexpected delight in so many ways. Movingly written, full of life-changing perceptions and ideas, at the same time the printed book itself is a beautiful artefact: with typography, paper and charcoal illustrations that make it a joy to hold. (How refreshing in this age of digital delivery.) But most of all the author’s words transport you to a different place: beware! You will not be the same when you finish reading. I keep thinking of more people I’d like to send a copy, at the same time realising it could be a grenade!
PT
Finished the book – fabulous, really enjoyed it. I’m on the re-read already. You clarified and enlightened lots of my thinking – so thank you.
HH
Having [a] true-to-life story was important to me because it showed that stories don’t have to be a “fairy story” format. What it did for me was introduce me to stories and their value to individuals and organisations. I would certainly recommend your book to people who want to know something about the role of stories can have, including the joy of listening to stories!
A lovely creation – well done.
DG (Australia)
I just finished reading your book. It’s just lovely. You’ve certainly been busy since I saw you last. I love the way you’ve written it – the personal approach, the way you’ve interwoven the themes and stories and your own story. I couldn’t put it down!…which is unusual for me as a reader. I was touched many times, and cried sometimes. It’s a wonderful achievement.
ML (Orkney)
I picked up your book last night to read the first few pages before I was planning to fall asleep, but despite needing the mother of all sleeps, I couldn’t put it down until page 80! Sometimes, the right books (and people) just come along at the right time. I look forward to early nights now, to read more of the book.
SM
I finished the book last night and think it is absolutely superb. It speaks to me on a number of levels, personally and professionally, and I wish it had been available to me about 5 years ago! I found it very informative, provocative, and beautifully written and produced – an amazing story on a number of levels.
ST
I loved your book! One of those classic books that you can’t put down but don’t want to end. And all the stories in it are so appropriate and very much my taste too, and all of it beautifully told/shown/written. I have recommended your book to several friends and given them Vala as a place to order from.
PP (Germany)
On the flight back to Germany on Saturday I started reading Coming Home to Story and finished it last night…and was deeply moved by your story and how you tell it! On Wednesday I’d had a conversation with C in which we talked about creating your own story and how important it may be to own our individual stories. Somehow I feel that I’m at the beginning of that process…and your story has put a lot of water on that rock!
GD
Thank you so much Geoff – I am so enjoying your book… my current bedside reading. It is a touching and inspiring book and I am gaining such a lot from reading it. I love the work that you do and hope at some point soon to join an Emerson training and begin my own storytelling journey.
CT
I finished reading it last night. Absolutely wonderful! It usually takes me weeks, sometimes months to finish a book. I gobbled this up in three goes. Thank you. I was moved to tears many times, starting with the dedication. I am now going through writing down phrases, words of wisdom and references I want to remember and follow up. This is an inspirational book and I really mean that. I am looking forward to seeing what is manifested through me from my reading Coming Home to Story.
HA
I just wanted to tell you that I finished the book and can honestly say there wasn’t a word out of place. I could go on, but I’m sure many people much more articulate than me, will have already said it all. So, I’ll just say I love it!! Well done and in Greek we say Ke sa anotera which wishes you, to go even higher with your next book!
RB
What a wonderful book! I am relishing it. And the purpose you have, which shines through. I don’t think I can get a review in this issue of the printed version of Spearhead (magazine of Mankind Project UK) but I shall certainly get a review in next time. Thanks for sharing this with me. It’s wonderful.
CF
Loving your book…crying through some of the chapters. I love how you tell your story finding inspiration in others. I like the idea of turning personal stories into fairy tales ‘using mythic stories to cast a healing light on our everyday stories…’ I tried it myself the other day and felt how the metaphor can bring new awareness to a situation. The storytelling course I did a few years ago didn’t include this personal dimension which makes all the difference.
PN
I couldn’t put it down! I read it first time in a sitting!! And have already come back for more!!!
KK (New York)
How lovely to receive a copy of your book, which I spent some time reading last weekend and really enjoyed. I really liked the “telling about stories,” and their purpose/meaning, and the storytelling itself intertwined throughout the course of the book. That plus the brilliant production (illustrations, type, size, cover design by your brilliant and talented partner) makes it truly a great achievement.
JW
I was delighted with the book, the solidity, the feel of it, a proper book. I read it immediately in one sitting in front of a good fire with a couple of malt whiskies. It was so much more personal than I had anticipated, a personal journey as opposed to just ‘Why stories are good for us’ – a brave book to write. The intimacy is striking. I wept in the chapter about Geoff’s son which resonated with my experience with J and the gifts he has brought.
I was so inspired by the idea of telling one’s story as a Fairy Tale. I will attempt a ‘Once upon a time ‘ perspective on my life and hopefully see the archetypes emerging. There is so much to be grateful for in the book. What an evening!
AR
I have just put down your book and I wanted to tell you immediately that I really enjoyed it. Such a lovely, touching and honest journey. Thank you for writing it.
JR
I am half way through and loving it !! have been late to work the last two mornings as I can’t put it down as I am enticed further into new dimensions of discovering and describing who we are and what we are a part of.
GG (San Francisco)
I’m enjoying it very much indeed. The first story about the lovers and the split soul sent shivers throughout my body. Not just little tingles, but high voltage shivers. Can’t even remember when I’ve felt something like that. Congratulations, it’s just wonderful.
NO
This is a book about the transformational magic that storytelling offers us: how stories can kindle our imaginations, heal our communities, shift our perceptions, and put us more directly in touch with the pain and passion of what it means to be a human becoming. It is a book of wisdom lightly and lovingly penned. It is a gift. I hope it finds you.
PR
This is a book of self discovery without evangelising, or self congratulation which you often find in ‘personal development’ books. In fact, surprisingly I found myself looking up courses in storytelling (who would have thought such things existed!) and am planning to go on one, I was so taken with the ideas in this book.
Coming Home to Story 