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From: Jorma Kosonen <unicab@laatikko.saunalahti.fi>
Date: Mon, 22 Feb 1999 02:52:55 +0200
Fwd Date: Mon, 22 Feb 1999 11:14:28 -0500
Subject: Commentary on Jerry Black's Challenge to Whitley


>From: Glenn Joyner <infohead@airmail.net>
>Date: Sat, 02 Jan 1999 03:03:12 -0600
>Fwd Date: Sun, 03 Jan 1999 15:01:48 -0500
>Subject: Jerry Black's Challenge To Whitley Strieber


Jorma Kosonen:

Commentary on Jerry Black's Challenge to Whitley Strieber

It is to be noted with some mirth and perhaps even jollity that
at last, as more than ten years have passed since Communion by
Whitley Strieber was published, investigations are made and full
analysis given in the Mr.Jerry Blackway. I regard his review
valid as well as a sharp and holistic insight on this issue.

At first be it noted that I have several reasons for my
commentary and support on Mr. Black. These will be shown below.

Because of the fact that I am native Finnish, there is no
possibility for me to fully get perceptions of a native
American reader. Because my mother tongue is Finnish, it is very
hard for me to evaluate most of the details being got by a
native American, upon reading Strieber.

However, I have the impression that my ability in understanding
English makes it possible to evaluate English text with
relatively small percentage of misunderstanding. After reading
the Finnish version of Communion it is easy to a Finnish reader
to step in the world opened by Strieber.

Thereafter one must read English originals or Swedish, because of
lack of Finnish translations.

I have read both Communion (in Finnish) and Transformation and,
in addition, some 25 % of Breakthrough. I have read most of
Transformation in Swedish, too.

It is my view that some of Mr. Strieber's readers may have spent
partly sleepless nights upon reading his books. Extremities may
well be in somnia or other symptoms. This point of view is of
utmost importance when evaluating Mr. Strieber's text.
Personally, it was about two years ago that I had some
insomnia-type nights upon reading Communion and even had a pause
on reading to get balanced. I even returned the book to our
local library for one week to get rid of everything. Later on I
have got the perception that this kind of response may be
ascribed to Mr. Strieber's talented dramatization and reader's
natural aptitude towards this type of subject matter. I also
want to say that many readers may have got anguished for
Strieber's books.

I found myself delighted about Mr.Black's review. This is
because I realized having been unconsciously disturbed at length
by almost exactly the same items that Mr. Black is laying on the
table.

>In the front of his book, Transformation, I note the following
>transcript:
>Transformation is dedicated to those who have had the courage to
>be named in this book as witnesses to my experience.

Also, for me, the list of names in the beginning of
Transformation supporting Mr.Strieber's story was left in the
air after reading the book, exactly like Mr. Black noted.
However, it came to my overall perception that Mr.Strieber was
surrounded by complete lonesomeness in his matter; I wished he
would have named at least one person being with him in a close
encounter with the aliens, or at least when sighting the
objects. But never. All the way he was alone. This was very
disturbing for me.

Mr.Black repeatedly refers at disturbing details in the books. I
think it is not necessary to put all of them here again. Be it
said,as before, that almost each of the details brought forward
by him were disturbing for me at length, too.

However, a detail of Mr. Black 's text (erroneously ?) reads :

>publisher, only a few people knew this information. At that
>point in time, Ed Conroy made mention to Mr. Strieber that, in
>Glen Rock, Wisconsin, there had just been a report that hundreds
>of people in the town had heard these knocks on their roofs, with

I could not find Glen Rock, Wisconsin at my Road Atlas. Instead,
there is Glenrock, Wyoming. In my edition of Breakthrough,
Strieber writes about Glenrock, Wyoming.

Finally, I maybe might add one more passage not given by
Mr.Black. As he states there are several passages giving rise to
ask if they are for writing-the-book-for-its-sake.I deeply agree
with Mr.Black.

Personally, I like to add this one: In Transformation, Strieber
is presenting almost a list on some paranormal phenomena at
systematical conditions. He alleges to have experienced levitat
ion, going through wall as well as having given at least
temporary clairvoyance. Although his text is not a mere list on
these abilities, I had the impression that what took place was a
kind of purposeful and condensed demonstration on paranormal
phenomena. For me, this was extremely troublesome. I can not be
lieve that Mr.Strieber would have stood all that without being
unbalanced. No doubt he may have been already, but his
demonstrative show was terrible and obviously artificial.
Listing paranormal phenomena gives rise to readers' thoughts
that most probably was not Mr.Strieber's purpose. As stated,
this was extremely troublesome for me, and it matches perfectly
with Mr. Black's criticism on Strieber's text.

Undoubtedly, Whitley Strieber's work has been a notable event in
the history of world ufo literature. His brilliant and talented
skills are favoured by millions of readers. Personally, I would
think that Mr.Strieber can be given price for making people
think of possibility of extraterrestrial life.

However, as reading his books may have been a bad disservice to
many people, I want to point out my opinion that the writer
maybe has merely used his talents and imagination with skills
for dramatizing, beyond standard level.

So you can be relaxed and, to my mind, have a good sleep.


Jorma Kosonen

unicab@saunalahti.fi