Remember the story of the seagull who rebelled against traditional thinking and flies, not just in search of food but for sheer enjoyment and excitement? Jonathan is ostracised from the flock. But this results in his embarking on a flight that teaches him perfection and the importance of always trying your best.

Illusions is a simple story like its predecessor Jonathan was. It is about Donald Shimoda – a character who shows us different ways of looking at and doing things. It is not a ‘preaching’ book, rather I would say it is semi-autobiographical, as the character is also named Richard. It does not profess to change your life, but does make you think differently.

The writing style is straightforward and poetically realistic. I did clearly visualise the corn fields of Illinois under the blue, cloud-washed airspace. I could see, in my mind’s eye, Richard’s much-used biplane and Shimoda’s mint-conditioned Travel Air giving their three-dollar rides, and of going through one-traffic-light-stop mid-west towns and green and gold hay fields.

Richard Bach again takes to the skies to prove that you don’t literally need to fly to be able to soar. And we can find a friend, a guiding spirit any where without having to search. But we must be aware of their presence when they turn up.

The author puts in substantial information in a rather short book. The pages take us on a journey of discovery by challenging conventionality and traditionalism. Illusions shows us the power of mind over matter. We can either capture the magic or miss it.

Bach makes us think of the difference between reality and illusion – that we can create our own reality while our expectations can change the results. To an extent, we can manipulate reality to be shaped according to our needs and desires. But is it really that easy in life? Perhaps the book makes it sound too easy.

But then if we believe that it is not possible, than perhaps it may not be possible for us to control our lives – well, to a certain extent at least.

Bach’s story, teaches us a new perspective to living – and for that we have to just stop listening to, and following, our preconceived ideas. The messages are there for us to see. Perhaps we may not be able to ‘vaporise clouds’, but we could try and maybe succeed in ‘vaporising’ some of our problems and overcome our own preconceived notions.

Bach’s Illusions is a fantastic journey – one of many – on the lifelong road of growing as a person. It can help us expand our minds. Don’t interpret it as a gospel, instead, simply share Bach’s ideas.

Often I wondered whether Shimoda was a real person Richard encounters or a figment of his imagination. Is he a fictional character who the author uses as a tool to voice his thoughts and feelings through? Or does he really turn up in Richard’s life to change his way to thinking and living.

Whatever your interpretation may be, it does have the desired effect. As Bach says: “If you will practice being fictional for a while, you will understand that fictional characters are sometimes more real than people with bodies and heartbeats.”

Each chapter opens with a few words of wisdom which come from Shimoda’s Messiah’s Handbook which he presents to Richard – and my ideal four-liner is

“Learning is finding out what you already know;
Doing is demonstrating that you know it;
Teaching is reminding others that they know just as well as you.
We are all learners, doers, and teachers.”

The other near-contenders are:
“Every person, all the events of your life are there because you have drawn them there. What you choose to do, with them is up to you.”

And:
“Here is a test to find whether your mission on earth is finished: If you’re alive, it isn’t.”

And, finally:
“Don’t be dismayed at good-byes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again.
And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends.”

Richard Bach reiterates in this book, that no book should [or can] change your life or in totality, your way of thinking - but it should give you something to think about.

Illusions – The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah
By Richard Bach
Delacorte Press / Eleanor Friede