The Kin of Ata are Waiting for You

"The Kin of Ata are Waiting for You" (1976) is the second novel by Dorothy Bryant. It deals with the loss of dreams as a source for inspiration in the present world. Alice Walker has said this is "One of my favorite books in all the world".Fact|date=March 2008

This work of literature has been cited in a number of academic articles and text-books in the fields of philosophy, psychology, and law, as well as inspiring a local minister to use 'ATAKIN' on his car license plate.

The book was first published as a novella by Evan Press in 1971, under the title "The Comforter: A Mystical Fantasy." Although it was initially rejected by major publishing houses, despite the success of the author's first novel, The Kin of Ata are Waiting for You led to the inception of Bryant's private publishing business, the Ata Press. The Kin of Ata are Waiting for You has remained in print for over 30 years, is available from Amazon, and has a cult following among feminists, psychologists, and teachers of religious studies.

Plot summary

A ruthlessly "successful" man is transported to what he gradually learns is a not-so-primitive island, where people are guided by their dreams. Initially in conflict with their ways, the protagonist, according to Bryant, "is dragged kicking and screaming to his own salvation." An allegory of spiritual growth, composed of principles from all the world's religious disciplines, stirred up together and flavored with a pinch of Jung.

References

*"Corvo, K., and Johnson, P. J. (2003). Vilification of the “batterer” How blame shapes domestic violence policy and interventions. Aggression and Violent Behavior - Elsevier"
*"Lips, H. M. (1985). Using science fiction to teach the psychology of sex and gender. In Hand book for Teaching Introductory Psychology, L. T. Benjamin and R. S. Daniels Eds." [http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=qpWf1pdGl1YC&oi=fnd&pg=PA256&ots=CE_kGDQ4wS&sig=pfd9sDyc0UU_j00gIo-Smzpgs_4]
*"Mebane-Cruz, A., and Wiener, M. (2005). Imagining “The Good Reality”: Communities of Healing in Two Works of Utopian Fiction. Contemporary Justice Review."

External links

* [http://www.informaworld.com/index/714006553.pdf Informaworld] PDF - sign-in required
* [http://www.holtuncensored.com/members/column311.html#dorothy Holt Uncensored] - online literary review column by Pat Holt
* [http://www.iblist.com/book29718.htm] Internet Book List page for this work.