Land Without Evil

By Matthew J. Pallamary

*Finalist - San Diego Book Award*

Journey back two hundred and fifty years, into a long forgotten world, where nature speaks through plants, and song pours forth from cascading waterfalls as breathtakingly as a church choir sings Ave Maria. A place where the rhythm of a feathered rattle is believed to bring you closer to your creator. A world where mysticism and innate spirituality conflict with Christianity.
Avá-Tapé, raised in the traditions of the Guarani Indians of South America, then Mission educated by the Jesuits, sees the truth and beauty in both worlds, but he can only live in one. Neither the Jesuits, nor his father, Avá-Nembiará, the tribe’s shaman, will accept less than absolute allegiance, which forces Avá-Tapé to choose between them.
Shamanism, religious bigotry, history, imperialism, coming of age, and a touching love story drive this incisive, thought-provoking narrative of the demise and ultimate triumph of an indigenous people and their traditions. Facing both a physical and a spiritual quest, Avá-Tapé, inspired by his devotion to his people and his love for the beautiful Kuná-Mainó, emerges as the most powerful shaman of all, leading his tribe to the mythical LAND WITHOUT EVIL.
With language that captures both the essence and spirit of the Guarani culture, Pallamary takes his readers into a world long forgotten, but well worth exploring, into a spirituality that transcends religious dogma and inspires understanding and hope. Both realistic to its setting and timeless in its portrayal of the human condition, LAND WITHOUT EVIL is a triumphant celebration of the human spirit.

“Bravo....More!” Ray Bradbury, author of Fahrenheit 451

Elements of Carlos Castaneda, Peter Mathiesson, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez jostle each other, yet...Pallamary weaves an extraordinarily original web. -San Diego Union Tribune

LAND WITHOUT EVIL is a great read for anyone looking for insight and inspiration on their own spiritual journey. -Harold Bloomfield, author of Healing Anxiety with Herbs

Pallamary plunges into the heart with a moving tale about people caught between worlds—the past, the future, and the possible... -David Brin, author of Startide Rising and The Postman

*A Reading Group Choices Selection*

• Language: English
• Publisher: Matthew J. Pallamary
• Release date: Jul 12, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311012241

Matthew J. Pallamary

Matt Pallamary's historical novel Land Without Evil received rave reviews along with a San Diego Book Award and is being translated into Spanish. It was also adapted into a full-length stage and sky show, co-written by Agent Red with Matt Pallamary, directed by Agent Red, and performed by Sky Candy, an Austin Texas aerial group. The making of the show was the subject of a PBS series, Arts in Context episode, which garnered an EMMY nomination. The Infinity Zone: A Transcendent Approach to Peak Performance  is a collaboration with tennis coach Paul Mayberry which offers a fascinating exploration of the phenomenon that occurs at the nexus of perfect form and motion. It took 1st place in the International Book Awards, New Age category and was a finalist in the San Diego Book Awards. It has also been translated into Italian by Hermes Edizioni.   The Small Dark Room Of The Soul, his first short story collection, was mentioned in The Year's Best Horror and Fantasy. A Short Walk to the Other Side, his second collection, was an Award Winning Finalist in the International Book Awards, an Award Winning Finalist in the USA Best Book Awards, and an Award Winning Finalist in the San Diego Book Awards. DreamLand, written with Ken Reeth won an Independent e-Book Award in the Horror/Thriller category and was an Award Winning Finalist in the San Diego Book Awards. Eye of the Predator was an Award Winning Finalist in the Visionary Fiction category of the International Book Awards.  CyberChrist was an Award Winning Finalist in the Thriller/Adventure category of the International Book Awards.  Phantastic Fiction - A Shamanic Approach to Story  took 1st place in the International Book Awards Writing/Publishing category.  His memoir Spirit Matters detailing his journeys to Peru, working with shamanic plant medicines took first place in the San Diego Book Awards Spiritual Book Category, and was an Award-Winning Finalist in the autobiography/memoir category of the National Best Book Awards, sponsored by USA Book News. Spirit Matters is also available as an audio book.