Judy Azar LeBlanc, Many Faces to Many Places Review

Overall Rating

Magical, enchanting and imaginative

None

Judy Azar Le Blanc has given us an allegorical imaginative story of a young girl named Many Faces. Planning escape from the custody of her guardian, a witch, Mr. Moon comes to her aid. Mr. Moon directs her to the hidden keys, As she stealthily leaves, she locks the witch in her cabin, tosses the keys and her adventure to freedom and Many Places begins.

As Many Faces continues her journey to Many Places she meets Mr. Time, Elusive, the butterfly of happiness, and Mr. Loneliness. Mr. Willow offered her rest. As she slept she dreamed of the Shadow of Death and the choice of Freedom. As she chose Freedom and continued on in her search of Many Places, she met The Dove of peace, and the Eyes of Faith.

Following Eyes of Faith, Many Faces didn't see the storm coming. At the first notice of trouble she turned from following Eyes of Faith to take cover with Deception, Greedy, and Stingy. She soon learned about Betrayal, Hate, and Envy.

Turning her back on these negative influences she is led to Mount Splendor. On her climb she met Old Man Pain, who sent her on the path to discovering Love, Beauty, and Truth.

Many Faces strayed from the path and came upon the Land of the Forgotten, and the Lost Kingdom. During her sojourn there she learned to wear masks, and bow to the God of Money and to dwell in the Palace of Pleasure. She again found herself in bondage.

Escaping the tyranny of King Ekaf, Many Faces returned to following Eyes of Faith to resume the Ascent up Mount Splendor, and to once again discover faith, peace, and love. At the top she met the teacher, the veiled man, and found the secret of unveiling her own spirit.

Le Blanc has a gift for expressing profound truths simply with impact. I personally found the following to be especially insightful. Many Faces is confronted by the voice of fear. Many Faces stood up to fear and refused to turn back. She then heard his words: "To be paralyzed in the face of fear is only temporary, but to never go beyond is crippling for life."

The profound insights of "Many Faces to Many Places" will linger long after you have finished reading this remarkable story.

Richard R. Blake
San Leandro, CA