Yes it is fiction - the student and the journey is simply a literary device Castaneda used in telling a very interesting story, which cannot possibly be proved except by people who have done intensive research n that field and maybe finding some 'brujos' who are still practicing the ancient 'arts' - more like witchcraft, nevertheless there were some natural phenomena discussed, inexplicable things which are still a mystery, even to the scientists. The books are so real, I remember being deeply disappointed to find out it was a work of fiction.
fiction is also what I am getting from Optus, have been engaged in a battle to find a human being to answer a phone - got the chat line, greeting was 'hai, I am Mason' - aother half hour of trying their new password - no result. Grrrrr I wish I had never changed to Oputs (from iinet). Taurisk
