It’s a Sign by Max Karplev is the memoir of a young man on a voyage of self-discovery. The author is a Russian-born immigrant to the United States, where he lives and works, along with his wife, Sasha. A man who has experienced several psychotic episodes in the past, he is intensely aware of his own fragility and is actively seeking answers to life’s big questions. When his wife’s worsening alcoholism becomes a major issue, Max is forced to take the drastic step of returning to Russia and leaving his wife there with her family in the hope she will seek help for her problem. As Max decides he needs to attend the famous, annual Burning Man festival in the Nevada Desert, his journey of self-discovery truly begins. It is an arts festival that focuses on community, self-expression, and self-reliance, all things that Max feels he lacks. He becomes convinced that the Universe is sending him countless signs, synchronicities, and nudges in a certain direction, and Max decides to go “all-in” and follow the Universe’s directions, wherever that might take him.

It's a Sign is an intensely personal and frank examination of author Max Karplev’s journey to find his direction in life. I particularly appreciated how difficult it must be for a Russian émigré in the United States during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It is clear that Max loves his country deeply but is also horribly embarrassed and ashamed of Russia’s actions in Ukraine. This perhaps is best illustrated by his desire to meet a lovely Ukrainian girl to be his future partner; it seems almost as a penance for being Russian. As a reader of different philosophies of life and a true believer in the power of the Universe as manifested through the minds of individuals, I was fully engaged in Max’s personal journey of discovery. Although it might be suggested that some of the signs and synchronicities Max saw on his journey were him bending the circumstances to fit his desires, one could definitely feel the author’s passion and commitment to his journey. I greatly appreciated the link Max made between the music he listened to and the circumstances of his environment. As Max points out, nothing happens by chance; all is created by our predominant state of mind. I also appreciated his pointing to Neale Donald Walsch’s seminal series, “Conversations with God”, as a major source of his inspiration. For me, the inspirational work was Charles Haanel’s, “The Master Key System, but whatever way we happen to come to our enlightenment journey, the destination is well worth the trip. If Max’s memoir motivates one person to look deeper into his or her soul for the answers, then he has achieved his objective. This memoir adds to the wonderful collection of self-enlightenment literature in the marketplace, and I highly recommend it because it is such a personal and compelling account.

It’s a Sign by Max Karplev is a unique personal memoir that traces a powerful journey of faith, self-discovery, and spiritual awakening. Born in Siberia, Karplev merges his analytical engineering background with a storyteller’s instinct in a narrative that shifts between moments of chaos and growth. The story begins with a crisis: his wife’s battle with alcoholism and his own feelings of helplessness. When he turns to a higher power for guidance, his life changes dramatically, marked by synchronicities, bold decisions, and what he perceives as divine intervention. Karplev structures the book around key turning points that build momentum like a hero’s journey. Throughout the narrative, pop culture figures like Indiana Jones, Neo, and Batman are invoked as guiding archetypes. These fictional heroes mirror Karplev’s search for courage, truth, and purpose, making his spiritual odyssey epic and personal. His embracing of signs, coincidences, and spiritual symbols builds a thread that ties his engineering mind to his faith-filled heart.

Max Karplev writes with raw honesty and self-reflection. He doesn’t shy away from his flaws or the moments of chaos that shaped him, including a harrowing episode in a Moscow mental institution years earlier. He revisits this past with a clear-eyed understanding of how far he's come, using these memories not as confessions but as stepping stones toward a larger message: the power of belief to change a life’s trajectory. It’s a Sign invites readers to reflect on their own turning points and the quiet signals that shape a life’s path. Karplev’s journey is both singular and universal, illustrating how transformation can result from belief, vulnerability, and purpose.

Max Karplev’s It’s a Sign is an enthralling memoir that charts his extraordinary spiritual and personal transformation through a series of miraculous events, inner revelations, and profound synchronicities. The narrative begins with Karplev’s rock-bottom moment, marked by his wife’s severe alcoholism and his skepticism about higher powers. After a desperate cry for help, he encounters a cascade of inexplicable signs, miracles, connections, and insights that lead him to embrace faith, self-love, and purpose. Over the course of his journey, he travels across countries, experiences vivid episodes of psychosis and enlightenment, and ultimately discovers a higher force guiding him. The book culminates with Karplev’s commitment to living authentically, helping others, and following signs to find happiness and truth.

I enjoyed the introspective style of It’s a Sign, and some of Max Karplev’s revelatory moments felt familiar. I felt the author’s honesty and the metaphysical reflections, the vivid imagery, and the musical references pulled me in. This memoir shows how the author understood the signs that life gave him and followed them. The author’s unique angle lies in framing his life as a series of signs and miracles, which he interprets through the lens of his scientific background in physics, mathematics, and probability. He argues that these events are not mere coincidences but messages from a higher power or a divine matrix. The narrative challenges conventional notions of faith, blending skepticism with openness, and invites readers to see reality as a canvas woven with intentional signs. This is one of the most inspiring memoirs I have read in a while, and fans of Paulo Coelho will enjoy this book.

Toxic relationships can take their toll. In 2024, Max (Maxim) Karplev was forced to take a hard look at life when his alcoholic and depressive wife hit rock bottom, following years of drama. He explores his journey in It's a Sign. Max was no stranger to emotional turmoil, having been admitted to psychiatric hospitals on three occasions after exhibiting erratic behavior. Despite being an unbeliever, he called on God for guidance, and the Universe responded. A sudden flow of synchronicity entered his life. He received help from a variety of sources, becoming increasingly attuned to the subtle messages in conversations, meetings, words, numbers, and music, which provided insight and guidance. He viewed things differently, embracing gratitude. The small miracles continued. Synchronicities reached a new and intense level, and insights flowed. Looking for answers and inspiration, he attended Burning Man, an annual, week-long desert event that culminates in a bonfire. Adopting the name “Lost and Found”, he achieved a sense of freedom, discovering artistic and personal expression in new ways. His search for a new relationship resulted in new associations, but these only served to teach him lessons. He was introduced to the Neale Donald Walsh book “Conversations With God”, which he highly recommends to readers.

Max Karplev was born in Siberia in 1986 and now lives in America. He is a filmmaker, engineer, radio technician, and storyteller. It's a Sign is a skillful blending of science, art, and spiritual growth. It explores his troubled marriage and the shadow that his Russian origins cast. In contrast, America represents a style of freedom that he embraces. Burning Man was life-changing, and the account of his experiences forms a major part of the narrative. The book title is taken from a poster that he saw there. The author learned to identify synchronicities and act upon them. In the process, he gained a deeper understanding of himself and his life tasks. He discovered that the answers lie within, and that his soul’s purpose was to write this book. More than a memoir, the author delivers a summary of the universal lessons he learned in the final chapter. He points out that awakening opens the door to new realities. The message is to reclaim yourself and your life, and find your own light and purpose. This frank, punchy, and entertaining work will inspire readers to start the process.