The Parable of Miriam the Camel Driver

The Parable of Miriam the Camel Driver-Elizabeth (Murphy) Horner

How did I hear about this book: It was written by my friend Murphy, that's how I heard about it!

Setting: Ambigious desert-like area that is supposed to analagous to our own world and corporate setting.

Main Characters:

Miriam: A master lute player who works as a camel driver to survive

The overseer: Miriam's initial boss as a camel driver, he is cruel and lazy

The noble friend: Miriam's aid against the overseer, he helps her move to a different overseer.

The new overseer: Miriam's second boss, he proves to be false and as unwilling as the first boss to help her.

Plot: Miriam is a Master lute player who loves her art, but must survive somehow. She becomes an outstanding camel driver, and makes her living at it. But at the cost of losing herself, she drives at her work in a world that little appreciates the value of her efforts, nor cares to assist her in them.

Themes:

Slavery/Corporate America: Having known the backstory behind this book, this wasn't hard to see. Miriam lives in a world where her hard work, dedication, and perseverence are either scorned or ignored by those around her. She works harder, thinking somehow it will get better, but it never does. Corporate America, with all it's bureacracies fosters this idea of working hard with little to no reward for your efforts.

Staying true to yourself: Miriam is a Master Lute player, but finds herself giving up her lovely instrument more and more because of the demands of her job as a camel driver. She must learn the importance of staying true to yourself and what you love, and not let your job define every aspect of who you are.

Learning to let go: Miriam stays in her thankless position as a slave because of her fear of what letting go might mean. As a slave, she has everything provided for her, and has little in the way of needs. But if she leaves slavery, that means nothing is for sure in her life. Does one give that up? And at what price does security come?

The perfididy of your bosses: Miriam deals with some sleazy bosses, and every job has some. She learns to deal with them as she can, using her brains and wits to work out situations that benefit her work and herself, but in the end she realizes that sometimes, you just can't fight the system, no matter how noble your intentions.

Every book has to suck somewhere: The only sucky thing I found about the book really only comes from my personal knowledge of the author and some of the crap she's gone through. It's a veiled reference to her own sucky experiences at a particular company, and knowing that sort of detracted a bit from the 'parable' quality of it for me. But, for those who do not know the author personally, this book will I think carry a lot of meaning for them.

What did I like about the book: I think the author has a particular voice, especially when telling a parable like this, that draws you into the story and keeps you very engaged. Her voice is warm, friendly, and draws you in. It's so easy for stories like these to get either preachy or childish, and she refrains from doing either.

Rate this wormy book: I would rate this book as a MONSTER worm, a must read. For anyone whose ever had a bad job, or is stuck in corporate hell, you should read this book. This book reminds you that you don't have to be stuck in these positions, and that it's up to you to make your life worthwhile. Do not be defined by the drudgery that you are forced to do everyday! Remember you are a Master Lute Player as well as a camel driver, and that when you are consumed by your work over your life, perhaps it is time to stop.