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Pedro Barrento
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The Prince and the Singularity - A Circular Tale Kindle Edition

by Pedro Barrento (Author), Lynn Curtis (Editor) Format: Kindle Edition
3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars 253 ratings
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This is the story of the Prince aka the Master aka Francis, who is more or less immortal and goes through the millennia fighting Desire and Rejection, the roots of all unhappiness and evil. He always fails until the moment he loses interest and decides to die, which he doesn’t. Instead he is promoted.

The Prince and the Singularity – A Circular Tale proposes a fictitious Creation Myth, whisking the readers away on a thought-provoking rollercoaster ride of a story that will make them question as never before what they truly believe about the nature of existence. At once funny and controversial, it can be viewed as a heretical twist on established religious teachings or as a sweet and sensitive depiction of the ascension of a Bodhisattva or as. . . well, it’s up to whoever is reading it, really.

You will get out of this story exactly what you put into it. Love it or hate it, though, you will not be able to remain indifferent to the message of this funny, touching, thought-provoking book.
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  1. Print length
    163 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    January 19, 2013
  5. File size
    4131 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Review excerpt from HerEthicsBooks: publishingunbound.wix.com/herethicsbooks#!pedro-barrento-review/c1pnj

...I recommend this book to every reader ... (who is)... ready to meditate about higher truths from ... (an) ... independent perspective.

About the Author

Pedro was born in Mozambique 51 years ago, attended English schools in Lisbon and pursued his education until finishing a degree in Law. When he was around 33, Pedro decided there's more to life than being a lawyer and tried his hand at various business activities, the most successful of which was a company that produced and managed rock bands. A year ago he decided to pick up again a long-forgotten hobby of his: writing. He started with a blog, mainly dedicated to political satire. Encouraged by the feedback from the blog Pedro then decided to try his hand at a whole book, an effort which resulted in the creation of The Prince and the Singularity - A Circular Tale.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00B3B3QNS
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pedro Barrento; 1.9 edition (January 19, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 19, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4131 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 163 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars 253 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Pedro Barrento

Pedro Barrento

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Pedro Barrento was born in Mozambique in 1961. He has published two books: "The Prince and the Singularity - A Circular Tale" and "Marlene and Sofia - A Double Love Story". His third book "The Algorithm of Power" will be released on January 2, 2018.

Blurb:

"A society run by an operating system...

A world without politicians...

Digital Alternative is a new movement that intends to revolutionise politics... by doing away with politics.

From its humble origins as a buggy strategy game developed by a geeky teenager, Epochs evolves to become The Network, the operating system that will rule over the whole planet with chilling efficiency.

Split between the 21st and the 24th centuries The Algorithm of Power is a new type of dystopia. One in which the future that awaits us is not democratic and where the government has no use for torture, gulags or a secret police - because no one even notices there is a government.

Welcome to the reign of software!"

Customer reviews

3.7 out of 5 stars
3.7 out of 5
253 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Just some guy
5.0 out of 5 stars Need something to read?
Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2013
Verified Purchase
Pedro Barrento has created wonderful and witty tail based on the story of creation. Drawing from both Eastern and Western belief systems he has managed to weave a story that is as simple and easy to read as it is profound and thought provoking.

I make no guarantees that this book will change your life or your outlook on life or what you believe is beyond this life but it will challenge you consider all three from a different prospective. Using humor and satire, Barrento has effectively and enjoyably approached the significance of existence, stripped it bare and laid it out for any and all to see, comprehend and come to their own conclusions.

If you are looking for a humorous book to read, then give it a chance.
If you are looking for something light and fun to read, then give it a chance.
If you are looking for something thought provoking to read, then give it a chance.
If you are just looking for something to read and you are not sure what the hell you want to read, but want to read something but haven’t found anything to read then spend the $2 for the electronic copy or the $8 for the physical copy and read it while you are trying to figure out what you want to read… don’t let this little gem pass you by.
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars An intriguing Scenario
Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2022
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Quite a “different” view on life and the universe. Very creative and thought-provoking. Got bogged down a little half-way through, but kept on reading and finished it.
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Patricia Kenworthy
3.0 out of 5 stars Talk about "reset"!
Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2014
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Yes, this story is indeed a circle!
Things do happen in cycles and this author took that to an extreme and gave a very interesting concept of God and gods.
It did get repetitive, but I guess that's the point.
I think the best part was from THE END, which was not the end, so I can't say I liked the end, but I did like the end!
That last 5% was a really good wrap up!
I really like the philosophy that, "Reality is neither good nor bad. Reality just is."

PS "Creationists" would really hate this book, so if you're of that mindset, don't read it.
However, if you're open minded and like a little imagination, give it a try!
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Jill-Elizabeth (Jill Franclemont)
2.0 out of 5 stars Loved the concept
Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2014
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I just could NOT get past about 50 pages. I tried - I really did. Loved the concept, liked the beginning, then gradually lost interest as it started to feel like I was rereading a slightly unusual version of a Bible...
One person found this helpful
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AngryGnome
5.0 out of 5 stars Something different, this way comes...
Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2014
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The Prince is not a book for those with a strong belief in mainstream Theology. Although it does draw from many theologies, philosophies, and beliefs, it is, at heart, a fantastical tale intended to provide an alternative view of the meaning of life.

I say that it is fantastical, but it is not Fantasy. Rather, it is a book that concerns itself with Metaphysical concepts and ideas, such as the origins of the Universe, our role within it, the circle of life, and the Eternal Return; the idea that the Universe exists in an endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth.

As the title suggests, it is indeed a circular tale.

Its writing is deceptively simple, hiding complex ideas in plain sight, in plain language.

We follow the Prince as he struggles to master his baser drives, in order to become enlightened. Many lessons are learned, and many failures experienced.

In fact, the Prince changes to such a degree that we meet him in different guises, with different names, in various parts of the book. But always his central motivation is towards leading a moral and good life, and helping others do the same. He is not Everyman, rather he is a noble spirit, tainted by the realities of life.

The plot is secondary to the underlying message that is explored in the experiences of the protagonist, and it is his mental and spiritual journey that is the true story.

Perhaps The Prince and the Singularity is best described as an allegory: a philosphical musing on the meaning and meaningless of life.

I do not think that you will find all the answers here, since a central tenet of the book is that there really are no answers.

Reality just...is.

Recommended...
One person found this helpful
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grammyk
4.0 out of 5 stars Different concept on creation
Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2014
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This is a story with no beginning and with no ending, a universe that expands and contracts time and time again. A fable about a prince (master and Francis) who has immortality and travels the universe over and over again. About gods with "magical" powers, creating the universe over and over again. It's thought-provoking to say the least in regards as to how we all came into being. A little irritating when the "gods" are arguing among themselves, I just can't see God being so trivial, speaking the way he does. But, it does make you think!
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Rural_FL
1.0 out of 5 stars Life has no meaning or purpose....
Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2014
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If you view life as a pointless exercise in a random universe without meaning, this is the book for you. Just a lot of random stream of consciousness verbiage. Biggest waste of my time in recent history.
One person found this helpful
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JP321
3.0 out of 5 stars Kinda playful while being entertaining.
Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2014
Verified Purchase
Certainly not a dry read. I'm not really sure what to make of this book. I know there's supposed to be a message in here, but the delivery seemed a bit wonky. Fortunately, it was a quick enough read that finishing it was quite easy.
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Top reviews from other countries

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A Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars Quirky, unusual and very enjoyable
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 27, 2013
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Back when I was about 20 I spent my days reading stuff by Richard Bach (eg Jonathon Livingstone Seagull) and Robert Pirsig (Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance). Reading this book brought those two to mind. It's nothing like either of them - in fact it's nothing like anything I've ever read before but it's quirky and unusual and makes you think, just like those two do.

I loved the circularity of it, and the way it explains nothing in the end, but also asks the question what is reality and is it good or bad? Some things are currently unexplainable; the nature of reality is one such topic; but this book manages to show that reality is unexplainable in a very enjoyable way. If this review comes across as circular and doesn't actually tell you what the book is about, that's a good thing because that's what the book is like anyway.

I think it's good. Read it and make up your own mind.
3 people found this helpful
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paula
5.0 out of 5 stars Un Must
Reviewed in Spain on February 1, 2013
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Un must de la literatura moderna. Un relato brillante de la era moderna. Una nueva forma de ver las distintas religiones.
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GemBookEater
4.0 out of 5 stars If you like Paulo Coehlo you'll love this.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 22, 2014
Verified Purchase
The Gods are bored, well wouldn't you be if you lived for eternity after eternity? So one of them propose as game. The game is simple, but the consequences are high, with every bet lost the loser has to use a piece of himself or herself to create something. Once the game starts it can't stop until there is just one winner, the last God standing and all that has been created.

But love for each other leads two of the gods to cheat, but they are found out and to escape their divine pursuers they use the last units of divinity to become ideas. One becomes desire and the other becomes hatred.

A human prince witnesses this and instantly falls victim to these ideologies, wishing straight away To sell the rare timber all around him to become richer than he is; then hating his father for not allowing such greed.

He recognises these thoughts aren't his, that they are the result of the selfish gods he has just witnessed and determines to work to relieve this curse on humankind. Just then the three Gods pursuing the cheats appear, the prince sets about gaining some divine powers from them with another wager. He succeeds and ends up with the power to walk on water, the power to cure the sick and the power to choose when he will die.

What follows is an interesting interpretation of some of the world's religions, along with a fascinating exploration of an alternative truth.

This might seem heavy going, but it's not. The writing is so light and simple it reminded me of Siddhartha by Herman Hesse or of works by Paulo Coelho. The author is utterly sympathetic to the humans in his story. He shows the faults, foibles and feelings of disciples and destroyers alike.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, so much so that I've just bought the authors second book. I would recommend this to anyone who likes to ponder the intricacies of faith. If you are the kind of person that clings to your belief and takes any challenge as a personal affront you may want to give it a miss. Although it is clearly not an attempt to indoctrinate anyone it will be enjoyed more with an open mind!

This review appeared here first - http://www.thebookeaters.co.uk/the-prince-and-the-singularity-a-circular-tale-by-pedro-barrento/
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PW75
2.0 out of 5 stars I got the kindle book free and to be honest ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 10, 2015
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I got the kindle book free and to be honest although I finished it I nearly didn't. I feel that maybe there was a really complex and earth shattering message behind the story but for me it just didn't come across in a way that 'clicked' for me.

Worth maybe a read if you can get it free.
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Clair View
5.0 out of 5 stars Mind-bending and a lot of fun!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 7, 2013
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This is a brisk, no holds barred examination of Creation from the standpoint first of Greek Mythology, rapidly followed up by the orthodoxies of Buddhism, Christianity, particle physics, and then a further alternate mythology that seems to be all the author's own. Never a dull moment, therefore, and frequent touches of humour,pathos, and some fine poetic writing along the way. I doubt you will have read much in this vein before because it is a very original way of looking at things, but fans of Pratchett and Coelho in particular will find some resonances here. Recommended for everyone who has ever wondered: What are we doing here? And where the hell is 'here' anyway...
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