Long Life, Honey in the Heart

By: Martín Prechtel

Narrated by: Martín Prechtel

Martín Prechtel continues the narrative of his unique life in Santiago, Atitlan in Long Life, Honey in the Heart, an eloquent memoir replete with the subtle intelligence and sophistication of Mayan culture.

Set against the dramatic backdrop of Guatemala's political upheaval in the 1980s, this heady mix of magic, humor, and spirituality immerses the listeners in the experiences of Mayan birth, courting, marriage, child-rearing, old age, death, and beyond, using the true story of Prechtel's own family and friends.

©2004 Martín Prechtel (P)2021 North Atlantic Books

Critic reviews

"It's an encyclopedia of beauty...like some poem of Neruda's, it is a treasure house of language, in service to life." (Robert Bly, author of The Night Abraham called to the Stars)

"Friend, if you have picked up this book, hold it. Don't set it down. Let it call. Let it enter. Let it undo the latch of forgetfulness It is not an academic study, nor event the personal account it at first appears. It is a hymn from the living heart of the universe, echoing in our being with praise and remembrance of that we didn't know we remembered." (Paul Weiss, director, Whole Health Center, Bar Harbor, Maine)

Beautiful story

I really enjoyed this beautiful, eloquent and very interesting book. The ideas are so interesting and provoke a lot of contemplation about what community is and it's importance.

Time is on my side…

After reading / listening to this book, with the author’s exquisite capacity with words, I finally understood Indigenous Time in a new way. I’m blown away by the depth and layers of beauty contained within this whole story. One breathtaking chapter after another the flowering story unfolded, leaving me in awe and wonderment, deeply humbled and inspired.

Excellent!

I loved this book and getting to hear Martin read it was wonderful. I highly recommend this audiobook.

Pure beauty

This book, like others written by this author, has allowed me to take a deep breath and remember what a gift Life is. The writings here , the 'delicious' words, help remind me to keep sweetness in my heart, to continue to realize the Village is a delicate, precious being and that when I look closely, it is in my heart. Thank you Martin Prectal.

Absolutely Glorious

Written with poetic beauty and mystical precision, this book is not only a tale of a far away Mayan village. It is the tale of our own lives - or rather, what they used to be, and what they might be one day again if we dare to remember our interconnectedness with all life.

It is not simply a story - it is a portal into our own souls, and the lives they are calling us to live. It is a call to revolution - to transform our inner world and our society to be capable of holding the resplendent grief and beauty of life in a true Village. To re-make the nobility, heartbreak, and beauty of the human soul. It is a window for all those from a soulless culture to look upon another way of being and doing everything.

Great audiobook

I enjoyed Martin as a narrator. He really brought the book to life with witty banter and deep knowledge of the divine.

Take it…

When I didn’t feel well my mother would hold out a spoonful of some foul smelling liquid. I’d say, “What is that?” She’d reply, “Take it, it’s good for what ails you.”
You want to understand this book before you buy it. I say to you, “Take it, it’s good for what ails you.”
You might say, But I’m not sick, I feel fine.” I say, “YOU need a double dose!”

In awe, reverence and love

Thank you Martín for speaking the delicious fragrance of this loving back into life with the delectable nature of divine speech and recollection. My heart sings, weeps and adores each memory now alive from you to me by way of your books. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Spectacular

Spectacular story and getting to hear it through his own voice was delicious like being gathered around a fire listening to stories.

Gift language

To hear Martin's voice tell the stories in this book had me laughing out loud and weeping tears of of joy to hear old comprehensions spoken so beautifully. Thanks for that Martin.