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John ("Jason") Martin holds a Ph.D. in French and comparative literature and has taught at Michigan Tech, the University of Tulsa, and West Virginia University.
Being involved in Amazonian shamanism for more than twenty years, Jason has in-depth knowledge of the two worlds in which his most recent work, Voluptua, is set. A seasoned traveler, he has lived in France, Greece, and Spain, and has traveled widely in India, Mexico, and Peru. He speaks fluent French, modern Greek, and passable Spanish. He worked in France as a Seine River boat pilot and was married by his shaman in the Temple of the Stars in Machu Picchu.
Jason has been a teacher of yoga and meditation for more than thirty years and is the co-founder of the Starseed Center for Yoga and Healing in Montclair, New Jersey. He maintains a healing practice in Montclair, New Jersey (www.jasonmartin.mirrorz.com). He was a founding member of the Twelve Miles West Theater, an equity company that produced several of his plays. He has also published The Atlantic Monthly and is the author of the 1983 work, "The Golden Age of French Cinema, 1929-1939" (Twayne's Filmmakers Series).
Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite
Voluptua: A Novel by Jason Martin is a story set against the backdrop of Amazonian shamanism. Ellen gives up her university career to explore the world of shamanism. She meets a Peruvian stranger, Hugo, who is also into shamanism. He changes the series of events in her life by providing an unexpected twist. Ellen goes to the Amazon in search of Voluptua, a forest spirit who has been calling her in her dreams. Ellen meeting Voluptua takes the story to another level. The Amazon jungle, spiritualism, and the forest spirit make the book enchanting.
I was always fascinated by shamanism and this book takes you through the interesting details of shamanism and the exotic Amazon jungle. The theme of the book is compelling and captivating. The author explores the Amazon and shamanism, and weaves them along with emotions and human interests, creating a beautiful story. The book, with its spiritual angle, is also very uplifting for readers who are keen to read about shamanism.
Voluptua is educational, too, because you learn many new things about the Amazon, shamanism, and also Peruvian shamanism. On the whole, it is a very entertaining story. The description of the Amazon rain forest is vivid and compelling and adds to the visual aspect of the book.
