T'ongil : the thirst for love

By Julian Winter

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0971598118
• ISBN13: 9780971598119
• Release Date: July 2002
• Publisher: Stillmind Pub
• Length: 303 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.8" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

Very highly recommended

The women call their clients horses, riding them to provide satisfaction. But Changmi is different, riding the horses for her own pleasure, often chastised for taking too long with men who are already hooked on her. When Ainsley Revere comes to her, he proves himself to be different than the rest of the horses, seeking to know the elusive woman behind the façade. But his interest threatens the careful barriers that protect a prostitute. Ainsley is a cat whisperer, able to understand the big cats of the jungle. He wears the scars of Rose, a jaguar, on his back. Raised by his Native American grandfather, time slows for him on occasion, allowing him to embrace the movement of leaves or the meaning of sunlight on a pond. He cannot control the gift, but embraces it when it is offered. Once, in that twilight world where time stops, Ainsley rescues a child who falls into the cat pit, but the jaguar Bella Donna watches and promises to exact her toll. Like the child that he rescues, Ainsley braves the world in which Changmi lives, attempting to extract her from it before it devours her. Like the cats he treasures, Changmi does not trust his intentions, viewing his intrusion with caution. She is nicknamed Rose, like the cat that marked Ainsley, and the scars she can leave are just as deadly. But their lives are tightly bound by destiny and promise.Author Julian Winter weaves a mystical, mesmerizing text in T'ONGIL. T'ongil is a Korean world meaning to connect and unify. T'ONGIL brings together Native American and Korean cultures in a rich tapestry of heart-rending sacrifice and secrets. As the novel progresses, the delicate connections of its weave lead to a lyrical world of magic and love. As readers savor the carefully revealed bits and pieces that comprise complex characterization and sophisticated narrative choices, T'ONGIL becomes a tale of profound, mystical beauty. T'ONGIL comes very highly recommended.

Mystical Romance

"The sun was wounded and falling slowly from the sky, victim of an arrow shot by the night. Its blood spilled in red luminescence onto the stark blue of the sky, creating pools of glistening crimson. The clouds raced to stanch the flow, but only succeeded in turning their white loveliness a pale pink. The streaks of their tears formed a rainbow against the sky..." J. Winter is a master of the metaphor. He makes love to each page with visions that could only come from a keen sense of observation and extended contemplation. Personification also moves to an entirely new magical level and the simile is unabashed in its beauty as it lays open on the page. There is such intense beauty in the writing style it becomes a perfume that drifts through the pages never letting you escape its pure scent. The rhythm of the words entice you into poetry and spiritual elements so rare, the writing at times becomes art. The basic plot is one of a tragic love story that lays bare the pain of separation, the loneliness of the human heart, true love and ultimate sacrifice. These elements blend into a unity and here and there a tiny droplet of horror emerges to balance the romance. The love between a Korean woman (Changmi) and a Native American man (Ainsley) flesh out the story with sensual images painted in lyrical language. The long flowing sentence mingle with warm conversation and all have the undercurrent of emotion needed to connect the feelings of the characters with the readers own deep and perhaps even hidden emotions. Changmi/Rose is untouched by love until she meets Ainsley. She is working at a cat house while he is an animal trainer working with Tigers, Lions and Jaguars. He has never been scarred by love, but carries a physical scar inflicted by a jaguar. Rose and Ainsley almost seem to stalk around one another, only getting close enough to let their wild natures show for moments in time. Ainsley is lonely and seeks comfort in the arms of Rose who refuses to become emotionally involved due to the nature of her employment. They never realize that their relationship will turn into a mystical journey into the depths of loneliness and sacrifice. The story begins with Ainsley saving a girls life after she falls into a Tiger exhibit. He risks his life and is willing to die. He seems to be one with the animals in a spiritual way and is unafraid of dying. This fearless spirit is heroic and yet is his dangerous rebellious spirit that haunts him. I found the theme of cats and flowers fascinating throughout the novel. The entire story resembles two roses tangled together and growing towards the sun or the warmth of love. Changmi's story weaves around Ainsley's life in such a way as to take hold of him and bring them both beauty and pain. This story unravels at its own pace if you let it flow through you. T'ongil is completely satisfying, unpredictable, unique and stunningly sexy. This is a story you could read repeatedly just to drown in the decadent

A mesmerizing, illuminating journey into the spiritual world

T'ONGIL by Julian Winter is such a unique story that it almost defies description. It definitely is a love story ( or rather a series of love stories) but it is far more than that. By creating characters from opposite sides of the world (Korean and American Indian), placing them in life patterns that differ widely (Institute of Learning about animals such as jaguars, lions, tigers, leopards vs a house of prostitution) and blending these disparate elements into unified spiritual journeys, authorJulian Winter has given us one of the most unlikely tales out of which he creates wholly credible characters whose natures are in many ways other-worldly. To reveal too much of this mystery would detract from the powerful impact that reading this book will have on the reader. But simply put, Ainsley (or Fallen Feather as his Indian heritage reveals his loaded name) studies large cats (of the tiger type) and has been through a near death experience - having been mauled by one of his cats while rescuing a child - that has bonded him spiritually/physically with his animals. He is a loner who encounters a beautiful Korean girl (Changmi or Rose or Ri as we learn during her character development) making a living as a prostitute. How these two break through each other's shells and intertwine their hearts dominates the storyline. But along the way we encounter deeply guarded secrets in both of them that are gradually unveiled until the true trial of loving is presented. Winter weaves this strange tale with grace and a strong afinity for nature. At times his poetry about sunrises and sunsets rhapsodizes a bit excessively, but again, this is part of the burgeoning spiritual awakening that drives steadily through the book to the final page. He creates believable supporting characters, allows the crudeness of the world outside the realm of the main characters to intrude, and introduces at least one character who seems palpably real (Nichole/Nick - a transgendered man becoming a woman ) evaporate into the air, never allowing us to know why she existed or where she went.But these asides are insignificant criticisms and may even alter with second readings of this beautiful book. Winter clearly has enormous talent and imagination and the tools to take us with him on his tender and tenuous journeys. This is a book to read slowly, with patience and caring, knowing that in the end the time spent between the beautifull designed covers will be well rewarded. A fine debut novel!

Beautifully written

A beautifully written story. It masquerades as a love story, but is much more than that. There is a strong element of metaphysics, and the writing is lyrical.Ainsley Revere ne Falling Feather is feline director at an institute that studies big cats. He is sometimes called a 'whisperer,' because his colleagues think he 'talks' to the tigers and jaguars in his care. When a little mute girl falls into the pit and is surrounded by tigers, he leaps in after her, stares the leader, Nicte, down and saves the girl.Another leading character is a Korean prostitute nicknamed Changmi, known to her customers as Rose, but whose real name is Kiri. Ainsley falls in love with her. He compares her to a black jaguar who once mauled him, also named Rose.The story is beautifully told, with an underlying foundation of Eastern/Native American mysticism.This is an unusual novel, but very well written and if you like it as well as I did, you'll be delighted with it.Joseph Pierre

Fascinating, poignant love story

What a story! I initially picked up the book because of the intriguing title and the mysterious looking cover (something about those eyes). The ending is thoroughly unexpected but I guess the only way to resolve the dilemma she (Changmi) found herself in. As I read the story my heart went out to her for her courage in enduring what life had dealt her and the way she gave herself when she finally fell in love. Oh how I wish it could've ended differently. This story has an interesting style in both revealing a character's feelings (especially the way the male character interacts with nature which I guessed was due to his heritage) and the scene's descriptive passages. There is a mysterious quality to each character, most evident after they come together. The story also provides some insight into a lifestyle/career that is typically either glorified or villified. I couldn't help but wonder if this was a true story? If so I would love to meet the character Changmi (I found the transation of her name beautiful and fitting).I found the first 2-3 chapters almost like a jigsaw puzzle in that several apparently unconnected pieces were laid out (which was a little disconcerting but written well enough that I was compelled to continue) but then the pieces were fit together creating a delicate story. I wasn't ready for it to end.