Kirkus Reviews calls it "a hypnotic collection of crystalline thoughts on the nature of living."

It is a personal story with philosophical reflections on death and consciousness.

Other readers have described it as:

- a contemplation of life's final chapters

- a challenge to readers to confront reality without illusion

- not an easy book, but one that stays with you

- both philosophical and deeply personal

- a series of penetrating reflections that guide the reader.

In 329 short passages, William W. Chan questions our ability to understand reality and suggests that all magical thinking about spirit, immortality, and God pales against harsh existence. As you get older, thoughts of death stir your mind. Your thoughts meander over happiness, sadness, and emptiness. How do we prepare for sickness and old age when being distracted by the shiny things in life no longer suffices? Through reflections on the human condition, he invites his readers to explore the fabric of reality. "Do we have to understand our reality," he asks, "or is it more meaningful to learn to navigate it?"

Front cover image: Tang Dynasty earth spirit guardian