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November's book group - preliminary findings...
Hello to all Esoteric Book Groupies
Hope everyone had an excellent Halloween/Guy Fawkes/Diwali etc.
Anyway, I just thought I'd share my views on Tony Stockwell. It was a remarkably quick read: I thoroughly took to his Essex-wide-boy, mediumistic-Jeremy Kyle-approach. His description of phenomena is very detailed and I loved the historical sense of the battleground scenes he describes in the book. I liked his pseudo-coyness when it came to celebrity clients, coming over all Diana-esque enigmatic smiles, and casually name-dropping people such as Rock Hudson, Diana Dors inter alia who appeared in his readings.
His childhood really does appear to have been idyllic, corroborating my theory on male mediums! I would have appreciated more gossip on Fry and Acorah, shamefully.
I would also have appreciated more detail on his police work, though I am conscious that this may be classified! He was very vague about Jack the Ripper, but he was absolutely right to hold his own against the sceptic as forensic science still hasn't conclusively stated who Jack was. The King's Cross victim was very a very poignant reminder of those who remain unnamed until recent times; I feel that although Tony's input was minimal, it was a very suitable, sombre juncture in an otherwise lighthearted read.
Do let me know how you got on
Love
Fiona
Hi Fiona
I'm assuming you have - but think it's worth reading all three books, if you haven't already! My brief thoughts are in the previous thread.
I know what you mean about the gossip side of things - I suspect Tony's too much of a gent, plus he probably still has to work with them! I think the absence of much mention of or acknowledgement/thanks to Derek Acorah leads me to suspect they're not as close as Tony and Colin Fry lol!!
Love Kirsty xx
Hi Fiona
I am only halfway through the book, will catch up shortly.
Take care
Janet
Whats the next book !
Hello Kirsty and Janet
Haven't as yet read his other two but am now off to look for same.
No worries Janet, it defintely won't take you long to finish. Am still undecided over the next book but do watch this space.
Kirsty - I think you're right about Tony being a gent and I also suspect he's not as chummy with Derek as he is with Colin. Yet Tony strikes me as being the most genuine of the three; I've not taken to Colin or Derek in the same way. Mind you, my impression of them is formed by TV/radio appearances only. I've only really come across Tony in print. Have you watched his TV shows, which he mentions liberally in the book?
Chat soon
Fiona
Hi Fiona
I definitely think it's worth you reading the other two (you can always borrow mine!) and I think they give you a bit more detail about his work as he's already covered his life story in the first one.
I've not seen Tony on TV yet (I'm still getting to grips with the joys of Sky lol!!) but have caught bits of Colin Fry's - 6th Sense I think it's called. He seems to give very interesting and evidential messages - but I know what you mean, I can't quite warm to him as much as I have Tony. I don't dislike or distrust him or anything like that, maybe it's just the memory of his trumpet incident at the back of my mind lol!!
Re ideas for next month's read - how about something on meditation or psychic development?
Love Kirsty xx
Hi Fiona & all..
I have just finished Spirited and found it a charming read, albeit a very quick one.
I didn't feel there was any wow factor to the book, and I was dissapointed that Tony's sense of humour doesn't come across as it does when you see him live.
But he does come across as a nice guy and a genuine and talented medium, and so all in all I would say I enjoyed the book!
Viv xx
You're right - having seen him live too, he is really funny - which I think works well as some of the stuff he tells people is really upsetting, so he can lighten the mood again quite easily. That side of him doesn't really come across in the books at all - maybe he felt he had to be more serious in them?
Love Kirsty xx
Hi
I have now finished Tony Stockwell's book Spirited, I found it a very easy read and ideal for any one starting out on their spiritual journey. He seems a great guy and would love to see him live.
Janet
This is interesting: I've not had the chance to see Tony live so I've only got a paper-based impression of him, and I'm starting to think my wide-boy, somewhat shallow impression might be a little inaccurate. I wouldn't say he was humourless in the book, but going by Kirsty and Viv who've seen him, there's a greater depth and sensitivity to him on-stage. Pardon the pun, but very probably writing isn't his medium, as it were. I have noticed this tendency with other mediums/spiritualists: I've got Agnes Freeman's book "They Walk Beside Me" on the go and her writing is woeful! However I have no doubt that seeing her live would be a real privilege. Janet, I think you've hit the nail on the head there by saying that it's aimed at those starting out on their spiritual journey. And perhaps we should all go see him live - what say a multimedia EBG, everyone?
Love, light and leptoquarks
Fiona
I feel a group visit coming on for one of Tony Stockwell meetings. Went to see Steven Holbrook with Pat at the weekend he was excellent and so funny with it, all the way home I could not wipe the smile off my face (some sad moments included in the meeting) he so Yorkshire !
Take care
Janet
Hi Fiona
Have you read Tony Stockwell's other books yet? I bought all 3 a couple of weeks ago from Amazon, but haven't yet had time to read any of them, so don't know if the other books are aimed at a different target audience? It might be interesting to see if Tony comes across differently in his other two books (one's based on his Psychic Detective experiences). If you haven't got his other books and you'd like to read them, you can borrow mine, I'll let you have them when you come over to see me on 13/14th December.
Also when you say writing's probably not Tony Stockwell's forte, it's possible Tony might not have actually done any writing of the book himself. All Stephen Holbrook's books have been written by James Christie (James is a psychic/medium and a friend of Steve's). Steve openly admits to everyone he can't use a computer, he says he can send a text message and that's about it! I've got Steve's first book 'The Light in the Darkness' and I've read about 2/3rds of it, so far. This book includes how Steve first came into spiritualism (by visiting Peterson Road Spiritualist Church in Wakefield) as well as accounts of messages he's given since. When Janet and I saw Steve on Sunday, I had a quick look through his third book called 'Survival', it appears to be full of photos that back up accounts James has included in this book. Sequels or individual books from a series of books can often be disappointing, but I think you probably need to read all Tony's (or Steve's) books in order to truly judge their merit accurately.
Love Pat xx
Hi Janet,
Im game for meeting up as I said in another thread..
I don't know if I said, but I am from Yorkshire too.I live in Lincs but I am a yorkshire lass through & through,!!
Never heard of Steven Holbrook, but I will google him now.
Viv xx
Hi Viv
Steven Holbrook is a must see ! I am sure we can arrange a get together at one of his venues.
Take care
Janet
I'd like to see him too - and meet some more of your lovely ladies! And the blokes too if they fancy coming along!
Love Kirsty xx
I checked out his site and I get the impression that he seems to have a different approach to some of the others..Especially the ones on the tv..
The cruises sound fab!
But yes I would be happy to meet at one of his venues next year..If anyone else is going to one or arranging..?
Viv xx
All,
If it's somewhere "up North" I'd be interested in coming too!
Janet
x
