The following is a selection of the kind things people have written about Good-bye, Mr Patel. If you would like your review to appear here please email it to reviews@langshott.org.

Its Seena here.

I am writing to you as I have recently finished reading your book, “Good-bye Mr Patel” and I felt compelled to send you this message.

Anushka loaned me your book some years ago (over 8 years ago in fact) and I remember trying to read it all those years back but I just couldn’t quite get ‘into’ it. A few years (and a house move) later, and I came across it again buried deep in one of our moving boxes. I suddenly felt the urge to read it and all I can say is… WOW!

Firstly, your writing is extremely eloquent yet easy to understand – a very difficult thing for a writer to achieve, especially when the book is aimed at multiple audiences.

Secondly, you write about concepts that were way ahead of social norms at the time you wrote this book. I really admire you for that. It takes a brave person to write a book like this, especially at a time that universal concepts were so alien to many.

I know that I will be constantly referring back to your book as my life progresses, and I want to thank you deeply for putting it out there in the world. In particular, your ‘Twelve Barrier-Shattering Principles” are something that we should be all taught at an early age. I wonder how different our world may be if that were the case. In particular, your thoughts on “Honouring the Spirit in all” and on Death itself is something I read many times over and I was astounded at how simply you write about concepts that are often difficult to grasp.

I now know why all those years ago your book did not make sense to me. I wasn’t ready then to understand what you were writing about because I was yet to experience it. Following what has turned out to be the most transformative ten years of my life, the day I picked it up again was the day that it made perfect sense, because I was already learning about and experiencing the inter-connectedness of our universe within my own journey.

It’s interesting to talk to members of family about your book, as not everyone understands the messages within. It really is about perception and whether someone is ready or not in their personal journey to grasp the concepts.

I have had the same reaction with a blog I have recently started (www.isthisforrealblog.com). Not all of it makes for easy reading (particularly the posts about “My Story”) and although no-one has said anything to me personally, I know there are some very mixed reviews about what I have chosen to share. That is why I admire you for writing about concepts that are so personal to your experience and you made the leap to share them, knowing that not everyone (particularly family) would completely understand.

Thank you Anil Kumar and I hope we will meet one day soon, it’s been too long! Seena Chand, 3rd October 2018

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Anil Kumar, Thank you for sharing your life’s knowledge with me.

1. Honor the spirit in all – that the other person has feelings and emotions like me.
2. Run your own race- to be better today than yesterday.
3. No one owes me a favor – I am doing something for somebody because I want to do it, not to have an upper hand, unconditionally and without any expectations.
4. The real enemy is within – lust for more, anger, greed, attachment and vanity.
5. Resolutions should be for positive and meaningful change in life.
6. Should not be afraid of dying as it is just a process.
7. Your children are not yours – they are unique respectable human beings.
8. Your wealth is my joy – to be genuinely happy for someone else’s happiness.

We are connected to each other as a part of the same universe. These lessons are for me to digest little by little everyday… and hopefully will feel free as you feel. Sonal Patel, Richmond, Texas

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I am a counselling psychologist, I worked in mental health for about 19 years, moved into the medical model 12 years ago,work at Southend Hospital Chronic Pain Service, initially trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, then found Jon Kabat-Zin and Mindfulness, the philosophy being, to live in moment to moment awareness without judgment of thought, site, sound or feeling. Teaches `being` rather than `doing`.

Having trained in mindfulness, then found Steve Hayes (Acceptance and CommitmentTherapy) The philosophy stems from Relational Frame Theory, a theory of cognition and language, he teaches that thoughts are not facts and the reason for so much psychological despair is that we get hooked into our thoughts and believing them to be true we act on them. It teaches one to accept thoughts and feelings (as thoughts and feelings and not facts) and not to allow thoughts to prevent one from being willing to lead a valued life. Within my work in chronic pain, fear of further pain and damage is prevalent, therefore I teach that it is the thoughts that prevent them moving forward not the pain. People in chronic pain spend so much time and energy trying to get rid of the pain, mindful meditation allows them to acknowledge the pain and accommodate it and live a valued life in spite of and not because of.

I intend to order your book because I think it will be valuable in my work, but would really like a signed copy. Tricia, Essex

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I have known you as a mentor and a family friend for the last 26 years. You have always advised me and guided me in the right direction, where every step has been a challenge. Way back in 1984, when you were heading a Buying Department in the Mines, I remember how you tore up my successful tender, on discovering that I had forced my way to supply items which another less privileged man had been supplying and earning his daily bread. Then I had felt bad, even cursed you, for the fact that I was known to you and expected a favour from you. That incident taught me a lesson. NEVER since then have I practised such a conduct. 26 years is a long time.

There are numerous occasions when one comes up against all sorts of difficulties in life. I have too, and have been referring them to you. You have always helped me in resolving them. I have implemented your advice, not only for myself, but my family and people around me. When I got the first edition of your book, I gave it to my Father (82 years old) and we thought it would be about your experiences in Africa. He read it and suggested I read it too. “NOW”, that I have read it, everything just falls into place. At times I had wondered how you can think so clearly. You really had understood life way back then. CONGRATULATION”.

This is a wonderful book for all to read, an inspiration full of real life experiences that guides one through the journey of life. Will not say “Good Bye” yet. Ashok Patel, Zambia

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In a speech to fellow students, I said: “Hello friends. How many of you here think it right to change your surname if needed? I guess no one. So why did the author of this book have to do so? Why a person holding an ACA degree and a work experience of long years in one of the biggest companies in the U.K. and Africa have to become Anil Kumar from Anil Patel?

This book GOOD-BYE , MR PATEL is a beautiful description of the transformation of the author from Anil Patel to Anil Kumar.

How many of you here know someone who has emigrated from India and living in some other country or how many of you wish to do so? I am sure everyone knows someone or the other and many of you may even be willing to settle in some country abroad. This book is not merely the story of the author himself but it is the story of the millions of Indians spread round the world. How are they discriminated just because of their colour and last name. What a loyal citizen has to face everyday because of his colour and surname.

The book starts with an episode where a 19 year boy is standing in front of the principal hoping to get a scholarship, but all he gets is a termination letter. The journey of the author starts while he is returning home; not at all a good way to start a journey. But yes this is all the book is about, and of many such incidents that make him change his surname from Patel to Kumar. But still he does not develop hatred for the county. He treats Africa as his home country and stays a loyal citizen throughout. Even when he is in the UK and very successful he longs to go back to Africa and does so. He feels as if he is at home when he is in Africa.

Yes, I am talking about the same boy who was refused to be given a scholarship for the mere fact of being a Patel. Still he gave all he could to his country that is Africa ,he gave the country an asset like Philip a legendary squash player. Such a loyal citizen who did not hesitate to change his surname for residing in Africa his home country.

What I personally liked and learnt from the book is that every one of us here has to face similar situations as the author somewhere in life. I found an Anil in myself and want every one of you present here to do the same and learn a lesson of being positive and not developing hatred in your heart for something of your own that goes against you or criticizes you. Thank you.” Chahat Shah, India

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I have read your book and now feel closer to you. you, as I understand from reading your account of your life experiences, are on a path leading to living a spiritual life.

Your book ‘Good-Bye Mr Patel’ is a moving portrait of your life experiences. Your confrontations, baffling hard reality in Uganda and here as well as in Zambia are well written. Your goodwill and job satisfaction came to an abrupt end in Zambia and is very disheartening to read. I am sure your friends, cricket fans and may be readers of the book will feel terrible.

Your encounters with people of different race in pursuit of education and profession give me an impression that your feelings after dealing with and experiencing the way the powerful people deal with aspiring young, especially people of different race, is ’embedded deeply in your memory’. I admire your courage to write about your hurt feelings.

I wish you Good Luck Anil and hope readers will enjoy the book as I have and it is well received by young readers. Suresh Jani , Harrow, Middlesex

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I have just finished reading both your books – the sequel finished a few days ago.
The memoirs make compelling reading – for me especially as there are parallels between our personal experiences e.g. birth in East Africa, the personal and political upheavals and the cricket connections.
The constant theme that runs as a thread through both narratives is the power of the mind over the body. The human mind is prone to suggestions – ergo our thoughts are frequently translated into actions. The power of suggestion is omnipotent and whilst your golfing injury probably wasn’t precipitated by your thoughts, what is certain is that you were in a better frame of mind to deal with the trauma and its aftermath. In essence, you were fully prepared – dare I say, after your premonition.
Bravo! This is a labour of love – written with clarity. Having published a book (fiction) myself, I can, without hesitation, applaud your efforts in conveying your philosophical/motivational theme without losing the tempo or the reader’s attention. I confess that I would not have been able to amass the kind of word count that you have achieved – without losing the reader!
The genre that you have written in – the motivational/philosophical – is by far the most difficult to master. You have done so with ease – very commendable. Bravo!