The Search: A Spiritual Novel

by Olivia Ritz

An unforgettable novel of a daring youth and his struggle for spiritual enlightenment, the story spins around a man’s struggle and inner conflict between his love and his quest for wisdom. In the novel, Dev, a young man, leaves his family and profession, being faced by a bitter identity-crisis. Restless and agitated he moves on toward an unknown future. Along the way his destiny brings him close to the royal family in a Himalayan State. He meets the Princess and she falls in love with him. Dev’s inner turmoil worsens as he becomes torn between his love and his quest.
His life takes a queer turn as he meets the sage Ramanam and his struggle and thrilling inner journey in the quest for true meaning of life begins.
Finally, love and wisdom meets each other to enrich his experience and his life becomes a saga of glorious fulfillment. Lush, evocative, and deeply humane, the story of Dev is an eternal testament to the transformative power of love and the importance of listening to the call of the heart. Dazzling in its powerful simplicity and inspiring wisdom, The Search takes readers to the roots of human behavior—to love and pathos, innocence and prudence, kindness and piety, despondency and triumph.

262 pages, Paperback

First published February 6, 2013

Reviews

[Mary Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story of a person who follows his heart and makes his own rules. Dev was coping with his outcast status. Dev goes on a soul searching quest and learns how to live a better life. The book explores the difficult questions of life. Dev does not seek an escape from the world but solutions for his inner query. This book is an eye opener. It's self-consciously beautiful and spiritual. I enjoyed it.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in five days. This book was particularly interesting to me, because the author is so detailed. Time well spent - Excellent book in detail, narrative and storytelling! I have really enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone wanting to enjoy deep spirituality with romance. Olivia Ritz is a master, plain and simple.

[Nancy Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and a deeply personal story, Olivia Ritz has created the ultimate impact in her unique expression of the journey of self-discovery. My apologies if this review is all gushy-ness about the story. However, it gave me that feeling—that one-of-a-kind reading experience that doesn't come along often. A book I’d like to read over and over again...
It deals with the story of Dev, the young and brilliant son of a Brahmin in ancient India. At the beginning of the story Dev learns of his unknown parentage that enrages him and uproots him from his society. His desperation leads him to leave his father for an unknown future. He sets out to find life’s true meaning- a decision that makes his father less than happy.

Throughout the various stages of his journey, Dev finds something of value in everyone he interacts with and his interaction with his fiancé really teaches him something on Love. Through elegant and deeply evocative writing, Olivia Ritz demonstrates, the uniqueness of each and every person on earth and the final triumph of love. Dev's final realization of his goal of finding enlightenment is simply amazing and it is one that I can not recommend more strongly that everyone should read.

[Lissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very interesting book to read.I found the experiments on spirituality is very interesting. It is always an attempt to prove that the God exist. Generally I always compare spiritual teachings with what the Bible has to say. But in east people view the world from a different spiritual angle. Olivia searching for answers of life's mysteries. She found the answers for those pains and sufferings. The book provides relaxation even while reading and the relaxation ultimately evolves into pure bliss as we go on fathoming the pages ahead.

[Miso Lubarda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too cheesy.