Reviews
One man’s journey of struggle, self-acceptance and success.
“Karma and Kismet is an absorbing and heartfelt memoir by author Michael Shandler. Shandler shares his personal journey from Cape Town to Canada, chronicling key personal, social and political events during his life. Shandler escapes a violent and controlling father, and builds a new life in a new country, where he finds peace and a sense of purpose through yoga and spiritual practice. This is a deeply moving, honest, authentic and courageous memoir, exploring the complexity of the human experience and the basic need for love and belonging. It offers a beacon of hope and healing for anyone recovering from childhood trauma.”
— Readers Choice 2024 Finalist Adult Nonfiction
“Told with humility and grace, Karma and Kismet is a memoir, a biography, a slice of history, as well as a coming of age which is engaging, genuine, brutally honest and a wonderful look at spirituality, communities and the many people who grace life’s highways.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Goodreads
“Karma & Kismet is a revealing and substantive story of one man’s life and his quest for understanding, peace and contentment. Readers will gobble it up, particularly Baby Boomers who will easily relate their own experiences to that of the author, and those who have explored New Age Spirituality in some capacity.
Shandler writes, “I am filled with gratitude that I am no longer a link in the chain of abuse … I have found love and belonging.”
Sometimes, the author learns, it’s best to just get out of the way, give up any false control one might think he or she possesses, and let life happen however it may.Maybe that is the secret to the very tricky business of discovering one’s identity. Some never will. But in the case of Michael Shandler and his moving memoir, perhaps it’s just a matter of letting fate, or kismet, take over.”
— BookTrib