Book Review

Going Deeper
Jean Claude Koven, 2004.

Review by Jaye C. Beldo

In this premiere novel by Jean Claude Koven, touted as the next Seth Speaks in the promo material, a talking dog named Zeus channels the so called Council of Nine in Joshua Tree park for the main protagonist Larry, who appears to be something of a spiritual bumpkin amidst all the high falutin' metaphysics swirling about him. Throughout the remainder of Going Deeper, the anomalous dog (as well as a Juniper tree and spirit beings in a crystal cave) continue to spout out 'wisdom' of the ascensionist, love/light variety. Much of the information seems evolutionarily compelling, such as harmonizing our sub-personalities and not letting one or the other predominate, balancing out our emotions, serving others, preparing for the coming fourth dimensional shift, etc.

So persuasive and cosmic the mutt's utterances were that I actually let my subtle body guard down, rose colored optimist that I tend to be at times. However in the afterglow of all the cosmically refined superlatives flying out of the canine's mouth, my etheric hackles promptly rose when I read the author's own bio: Aside from being a successful entrepreneur for over forty years, he mentions interfacing with J.J. Hurtak, Andrija Puharich, and Scientology. For those in the conspiratorial know, especially those who have read The Stargate Conspiracy by Lynne Picknett and Clive Prince, mention of these shades should be sufficient enough of a red flag that something may be deeply amiss here.

Puharich is known to have worked with intelligence organizations such as the CIA, unethically experimented on psychically gifted children at the 'Turkey Farm' etc. J.J. Hurtak is probably the ultimate metaphysical spin meister himself, via his suave, trans-dimensional propaganda otherwise known as The Book of Knowledge: The Keys of Enoch.

Either Koven is a naive channel for what seems to be (or, ironically, may actually be) highly evolved-compassionate information or is deliberately putting all the red flags in the novel himself, perhaps unconsciously. I'm not at liberty to decide which considering the profound bias I have towards the Council of Niners. I honestly ventured into Going Deeper with a beginner's mind and confess to experiencing a short lived kind of spiritual exuberation. However, the illuminating epilogue, sad to say, has left me a bit less than hopeful about the kind of wondrous future Koven attempts to steer us towards in his novel.

Jaye C. Beldo writes for Disinfo.com. He has appeared on BBC and Capital Radio London, WGN Chicago, The Howard Stern Show and other radio programs around the world. He can be reached at: Lonenutter@aol.com.