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Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite
What is life? That's an ancient question that has plagued intellectuals, theorists, New Agers, spiritualists, and more for generations. In one of Paul Kim's stories, life is a leaf. Each leaf on a tree serves a specific function, political and non-political. All the leaves work together to create a sustainable life. But, as pointed out in some of the author's other stories, life is also about choices. One chooses whether to eat too much fish, to be greedy and take more than one needs or deserves; one chooses whether to sit on a rock or throw it into the pond, without thought as to the consequences of one's actions. Choices, however, do have consequences and the lesson learned in these stories is that one must think carefully, consider all the variables, before making a choice. In other words, one must choose wisely and responsibly.
The author, Paul Kim, has given us a selection of parables on life and life's choices in Lost Culture. These parables have developed in the author's mind for some time after a life altering accident made him value the true meaning of life and the importance of taking care of life, each other, and all that dwells in our living space. The first story in this book, The Journey, sets the tone for the parables as a young boy follows a mentor on a lengthy quest. Leaving behind his mother, his community, and all that is familiar to him, Jethro follows this woman, Padma, and learns many important lessons, including humility. As Padma tells Jethro, "You must open your mind and heart to find an answer." This book is a simple journey through parables and lessons that teach us, the reader, how to really live our lives and how to appreciate the fullness of life. For really, the true answer to "What is life?" is the seemingly simple one; that life is a gift, one to be cherished.
