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First Class Ticket: A Novel, by Ann Marie Zakos
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The art of storytelling has been with us through the ages and is truly one of the most powerful of all human capabilities. Stories can inspire and motivate us; they can make us happy or sad. Ann Marie Zakos knows this and has taken the art to a new level in First Class Ticket: A Novel. This book, a fictionalized journey of three college students who are assigned the task of unraveling life’s nine truths, offers an informal discourse on the most profound of human mysteries. Not only does this insightful story give readers the tools they need to gain better self-understanding, but it clarifies how to tap into the love, happiness, and success most people have only dreamed about. “When we tune in to the truth,” Zakos explains, “we recognize it at the very core of our being, and get in touch with the love, wisdom, and strength of our essential natures.” And she has made it her personal mission to educate others on how to tap into their spirituality to help answer the universal questions of who we are and why we are here. She points to the events of September 11 and the ensuing war on terrorism, tragedies that have left few people unchanged. “Now, more than ever, people are examining their place and purpose in the world,” says Zakos. She says that people everywhere are searching for that elusive “something” that will bring them true happiness. But rather than looking at their surroundings, people must realize that the fulfillment and joy they seek lies within. The book begins with the main character, Madison, unhappily getting ready to take a philosophy course. This typical college student is cynical about its overall value to her—a journalism major—and considers it a waste of time. But the two other students she pairs up with, as well as a series of seemingly inexplicable coincidences, soon have her viewing both the class and the world around her through very different eyes. In just one week, she realizes depths of exhilaration and love she had never before thought possible. At the bottom of her newfound bliss are the nine truths of human nature. For example, Madison learns that one has the power over one’s mind, and a clear mind will lead to unbelievable discoveries and revelations. Also important is the lesson that the truth is always misunderstood. Perhaps the most important truth is that everyone possesses the entire universe within their being. The human body is but a mirror image of the earth, and everyone must appreciate the earth as they appreciate their body because they are one and the same. Once this is recognized, one can tap into the peace that is within. This is the key to love.
- Sales Rank: #7036625 in Books
- Published on: 2006-08-01
- Original language: English
- Dimensions: 8.75" h x 6.00" w x .50" l, .66 pounds
- Binding: Paperback
- 176 pages
About the Author
Ann Marie Zakos has a bachelor’s degree in communication from DePaul University. She resides in Chicago.
Most helpful customer reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful.
Face your inner fears and embrace your love!
By Patrick Norton
A WARM, ENGAGING AND WONDERFUL READ! This is one that will stay with you long after you read it. I am generally wary of stories with a message, but the same person who recommended that I read The Alchemist - one of my all-time favorite novels - recommended I read First Class Ticket, and I was not disappointed. Indeed, Ann Marie Zakos herself has clearly been touched by Paulo Coelho's fable of self-discovery, as have many before her been. I found deep spiritual meaning in both stories, but Zakos' compelling tale is much more timely and relative to the world we all know. It is one of those rare books I have found myself unable to read it without a highlighter in hand - an indication for me that I found much to be worth remembering, and reading again and again.
At any given point in our lives we are all quite secure in the confidence that we know who we are and where we're at, what is best for us, and what is both right and wrong with our lives and the world around us. Nonetheless, at each subsequent future point in our lives we are able to look back and chuckle (hopefully) at our previous ignorance and lack of perception. This may be no more evident than when we look back at what we thought was right, and what we valued most, when we were 18 years old and leaving home to make our way in the world - but this amazing transition continues to happen throughout our lives. Life is indeed a journey, not a destination, and as long as one's mind is open, it is a constant evolution of perceptions, beliefs and values. It is as inevitable as age, because one cannot help but grow, and thereby change, as time and life's experiences work their magic on our souls. All we need to carry us through the journey is to look within.
Zakos' inspiring story introduces us to three readily-identifiable young collegians at just that point in their lives, each with their own values, dreams and internal conflicts, involuntarily thrust together in a philosophy class none wanted to take. As different from each other as they are, we can relate to each of them as people we have known - or have been ourselves - and each, like us, thinks they know all they need to know about themselves and about life. The lead is Madison, and the last thing in the world she either wants or needs is an early morning philosophy class, or to be forced to spend a week on an assignment with two such unlikely partners as Diana and Brian. So certain is she that she nearly drops the course immediately.
Instead, for reasons she does not know, she decides to give it some time, and over the course of a week the three of them take a remarkable journey of self-discovery in which they meet their initial assignment and uncover what their professor calls the nine truths of life. In doing so, they encounter a cast of unique and insightful characters who help them discover things that were always inside of them - nine simple ideals which are at once self-evident and at the same time hidden to most of us. At first, the entrance of the people who come into their lives seems almost contrived, as if somehow set up by the professor, but it soon becomes clear that these personalities, those who are able to help each of us on our own personal passages towards self-discovery, are always around us if we would only be open to them, and in fact it was the students' open-mindedness and seeking of these opportunities that presented these characters to them. In the end, it does not matter that their minds were opened by an assignment, because it really matters not how we get there. What matters most is our willingness to have our perceptions and values challenged, and to be willing to change them.
Perhaps the most significant of these is the Santiago-like Nathan. As he describes his own journey, one is reminded of the ordeals of the Andalusian shepherd boy who refused to let adversity or fear of failure get in the way of achieving his goals. Trials and tribulations presented themselves to Nathan, as they do to all of us, but instead of giving in to the fear of the unknown, he battled up the hill in search of that which he sought - and he was willing to pay any price to achieve what he desired. That was his test, and this, I believe, is the greatest lesson of First Class Ticket. "I tested you at that crucial point to see how much you wanted your vision to come true. I wanted to know how much you believed in your vision." It is human nature to be too concerned with what others may think of us or what we are doing - especially our parents (Diana) - or to be afraid that we are just not strong enough to handle the adversity that may accompany doing that which we know in our hearts would make us most happy. In essence, we convince ourselves that our inability to deal with those secondary elements would prevent us from ever being able to be truly happy, and so we look for happiness on an acceptable, secondary level, and in so doing we convince ourselves that it is either good enough or that it is the best that we can do (the glass merchant). The most disappointing element of humanity is not those who do not know - it is those who do know, and are afraid to follow what they know, afraid to follow their heart. The message is not complicated, except for those who are afraid to face the truth or unwilling to take the challenge. "Everything gets lost when we fail to recognize the coincidences that occur." Do we have it in us? Do we have the courage to recognize the coincidences and act on them? Are we willing to overcome our own selves to achieve that which we know makes us truly happy, or will we accept the sense that we are not good enough or strong enough, and give in?
Like Coelho's tale, Zakos' story moves swiftly - the pace is quick and the story never drags. What differs is that the setting, the cast and their experiences are those we can all relate to intimately. It is less a fable and more a real-world, real-time tale that is at once current and at the same moment timeless. It should appeal to all of us, because the characters represent all of us. They are either who we are, or who we were, and because our own personal growth never ends, it has great value for all of us. Those who are able to understand that their perceptions and what they value most will be different tomorrow than they are today are those most blessed, for their minds and hearts are truly open to the possibilities for true happiness. "Not everybody can experience these truths without being ready to alter their perceptions of life." In her insightful conclusion, Zakos' analysis of mankind's movement from the material age to an age of information and spirituality is unique, perceptive and thought-provoking, and her sagacious illustration of the violin and the bow as a metaphor for humanity and the world around us is brilliant. It is something that will resonate within me for a long, long time.
Such is the quality of her perception and her writing. Zakos has a rare gift for bringing spiritual symbolism to life in a way that we can all relate to. Moreover, she has an artful and eloquent flair for painting a picture with words. She describes scenes, and people, and particularly emotions with a vividness and a passion that makes them palpable, and makes the reader feel a part of the moment. The scent of a breeze, the sound of a sigh, feelings of disappointment and joy - all are articulated with such skill that you are moved to them, to feel them as your own. It is impossible not to be drawn into the characters and the changes they are experiencing as they make their journey. With caution, so as not to give anything away, I can say that Zakos' vibrant description of the baseball game which brings to Madison and her friends the ninth and final "truth" of the professor's assignment is as vivid and descriptive as that of any professional beat writer for a major daily newspaper or sports periodical. In two words, the account of the game and its effect on the students is both riveting and profound. In the end, the love that Madison discovers, a love that comes from within, is such that your own heart will swell with the joy that she feels.
Reading this book reminded me that life does not have to be a daily internal conflict. It can be simple, and joyful, and full of the love that Madison discovered, if we will only allow it. Are there indeed nine truths of life? Or are there 15, or but one? At the end of the day, the message is the same, and it applies to all of us, regardless of how you get there: Identify yourself, and who you are. Identify what matters most to you, and open yourself to the possibilities - and be willing to endure what you will face to reach them. Fill yourself with love, and do not be afraid of the perceptions of others or the difficulties you may encounter in the journey. Once you find that which truly makes you happy you must pursue it without fear - fear of societal norms, the opinions of friends and family, or your own weaknesses. That is the message of Ann Marie Zakos and First Class Ticket - in addition to being a thoroughly entertaining story in its own right. You will enjoy this one immensely -- I enthusiastically give it 5 stars.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful.
First Class Ticket
By Courtney Hagan
First Class Ticket by Ann Marie Zakos is a thought provoking, intelligent, and insightful novel. From the moment I started reading I couldn't put it down. I was amazed by the characters-I felt like I've known them forever. I especially liked how the author used nine profound insights she called "truths" to convey life lessons. I learned a great deal from these "truths" and I am trying to incorporate them into my daily life. I loved this book. I highly recommend it.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful.
First Class Ticket
By Kaitlin P. Sullivan
Ann Marie Zakos's novel First Class Ticket is a must read! Because of its metaphysical insight on life and coming of age story, it really grabbed my attention. Instantly, I was drawn to Madison, the protagonist. Often times, I have felt like Madison, challenging life's "Why/How is this possible?" The friendship that Madison, Brian and Diana share is a rare, special relationship that Zakos depicts well. The culmination of the novel, however, is the climax- the baseball game- where everything comes together beautifully. Zakos's ideals, truths and insight are carefully mastered in this entertaining and often funny novel. I would recommend it anyone who is looking/open to self discovery/spiritual awareness. Thumbs up!
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