Without Opposite

A Philosophical Adventure (Unlock Tao)

Fiction - Inspirational
112 Pages
Reviewed on 09/26/2022
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Author Biography

Marcel Eschauzier, a Dutch native, is married and lives in Belgium. He used to travel a lot, working as a business consultant and living in different cultures. After a revealing experience in 2016, he shelved his suitcases to set out on the journey within and write about existential questions. His inner engineer shines through in his style, breathing clarity into matters traditionally veiled in mysticism. When not writing, he occasionally tries to pilot a kickbike pulled by the family husky.
Marcel holds a Master of Science degree in Industrial Engineering and Management Science from the Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands.

    Book Review

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Without Opposite: A Philosophical Adventure (Unlock Tao) is a work of fiction in the coming-of-age subgenre. It is aimed at young adult readers and was penned by Marcel Eschauzier. The book follows the journey of the beautiful Shatarupa as she leaves her native India for Germany after her difficult relationship with her family prompted her to try to find some understanding of herself and her place in the universe. As she and her companions experience different aspects of life, they push toward a new view of the world and idea of the self, but only if they can maintain control of themselves.

The problem with discussing philosophy academically is that it feels like something dry and irrelevant to the average person rather than the dynamic lived experience that philosophical ideas truly are. What better way for Marcel Eschauzier to break open the shell of philosophy than to embed the discussion into an exciting narrative that is as cerebral as it is rousing? It’s a testament to the skill of the author that he has so effectively fused the high-concept ideas of one of the essential sciences into such an exciting tale of a young woman on a journey of self-discovery. Without Opposite is a perfect springboard for readers who have the spark of interest in philosophical ideas and are keen to fan that spark into a flame, with exciting and realistic characters exploring big ideas in a way that makes sense for real people. This book is not to be missed and I recommend it to all.

Stephanie Chapman

Adam Virinski narrates the story of his twin sister’s life while he has been in prison. Without Opposite, by Marcel Eschauzier, begins with Sata upset at having bodyguards when her brother can do as he wants. She told her father she felt like a prisoner, and they debated her feelings. The end of their discussion has her father validating Sata’s view, only to have his wife arrive. When her mother, Sharanda, confronts Sata about buying the “morning after” pill, Sata faces the severe punishment of no longer being permitted to go outside the house. Through her letters, Sata reveals her life, getting away from the oppression of her family, and going to school in Germany. Through her relationships, Sata proclaims why she exists in the world.

Marcel Eschauzier creates a philosophical story that made me think outside normal boundaries. I felt Sata’s rebellion toward her parents led to some extreme risks. The admirable qualities she possessed were loyalty to Adam and learning about social acceptance. The timeline of the story was easy to follow, and the vivid detail of the physical attributes of every character allowed me to envision them in real life. I could relate to Adam’s anger toward his parents and watched his bond with Sata grow throughout the book. The end of the book threw me off-kilter because there were no predictable hints at the conclusion. They discussed philosophy about life in depth, especially about why every person exists. Readers who like philosophy and character development stories will find Without Opposite a satisfying book.

Miche Arendse

Shatarupa explores the philosophical concepts of human nature and existence in Without Opposite: A Philosophical Adventure (Unlock Tao) by Marcel Eschauzier. It is through the lens of hardship, secrets, and desire that we explore the realms of existential philosophy. Shatarupa is considered a beauty amongst beauties who is forced to flee her homeland in India for Germany. There she meets suitors who vie for her affections; however, they are not prepared for what is to come.

Without Opposite by Marcel Eschauzier is a unique and thought-provoking novel that touches on philosophical concepts through storytelling. I found myself intrigued when I came across this book and was delighted with what I found when I started reading. The story itself was interesting with a diverse cast of characters who had original backstories. Each character brought a layer of depth to the tale which made it hard to stop reading. I will admit that for some it might be hard to grasp all of the concepts that the author has tried to incorporate, but even without understanding the deeper philosophical notions, you can still enjoy this book to the fullest. The writing style was competent and easy to follow and I feel the story did what it was meant to do which is to touch on real-world philosophical concepts using a fictional setting. I enjoyed this novel and found it to be quite an interesting read, as it leaves one with some food for thought. I would recommend this to those who enjoy a book that offers wisdom along with a good story.

Emma Megan

Without Opposite: A Philosophical Adventure (Unlock Tao) by Marcel Eschauzier is an exceptional contemporary psychological mystery. It follows Sata (Shatarupa) and her brother, Adam, as they are being treated differently by their parents. Sata can't have the privacy and the freedom she craves because of her parents. They believe that the dangers are not the same for a girl as they are for a boy. Thus, Sata receives too much attention, whereas Adam none. Adam is even advised to live a little more, experiment, and take some risks. Yet, he still feels invisible. When he realizes that no one wants to know who he really is and that the freedom his sister craves is out of reach because of their mother, he does something of consequence to his and his sister's benefit.

Without Opposite by Marcel Eschauzier is a brilliant and absorbing work that captures Indian wisdom and condemns the beliefs of those who claim that we should feel guilty for existing. Marcel Eschauzier delivers an intriguing story of adventure, mystery, drama, romance, and also philosophical concepts. This book is a provocative invitation to think about what our existence is, about duality, quantum mechanics and consciousness, monism, immediate experience, the mystery that we are part of, and more. Without Opposite offers captivating dialogue and insightful commentary on our needs, guilt, unfulfilled dreams, and the importance of forgiveness. It's the key to discovering more about Tao wisdom and how real existence has no opposite. I am delighted to recommend this philosophical adventure to anyone interested in philosophy and psychology.

Adanna Ora

Without Opposite: A Philosophical Adventure (Unlock Tao) by Marcel Eschauzier relates the story of Shatarupa (popularly called Sata) as told by her twin brother Adam. For the duration of his 30-year prison sentence for killing his mother, Adam was dependent on his sister's letters for support. Sata was raised in the wealthy household of Bram Virinski and subjected to a great deal of over-protection, which she hated as a youngster and later as a teenager. In contrast, her brother was handled differently and even encouraged to do things that Sata wouldn't dare. After their mother died, Sata was free to do as she pleased and traveled to Germany to enroll in her father's dream course - philosophy. There, she encountered individuals who transformed her life and opened her eyes to new truths in philosophy and metaphysics.

The cover of Without Opposite by Marcel Eschauzier features an eye-catching image of an incredibly gorgeous young woman. I adore how the author seamlessly transitions between the first-person and omniscient narratives. The book includes discussions on philosophy, logic, physics, metaphysics, and art. Fans of these disciplines would find the work intriguing. There is also an examination of ideas from Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. The book promotes discussion about the disparities between the way boys and girls are raised in the home and highlights how young people are affected by peer pressure. The conclusion is one you won’t see coming at all. Without giving anything away, I'll let you read the book and enjoy it as much as I did, learning a ton in the process.