Dinner with Buddha: A Novel

by Roland Merullo

Overview

If  life is a journey—with detours, paths from which to choose, and myriad roadblocks to overcome—then Otto Ringling is most certainly on the journey of a lifetime. His first fifty or so years were pretty good. He felt he had it all, until one day he didn’t.

Seeking understanding, he calls on Volya Rinpoche, a wise man and spiritual leader. A man who accepts the world as it comes to him, a man without pride or vanity. But Rinpoche, as it turns out, is experiencing his own time of doubt. In hopes of finding answers to life’s mysteries, the two embark on a journey through America, an amusing and enlightening road trip that becomes a lesson in love and gratitude.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781616205997
Publisher:	Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill
Publication date:	04/26/2016
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	368
Sales rank:	198,688
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.10(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Roland Merullo is the critically acclaimed author of five books of nonfiction and twelve novels, including the Revere Beach Trilogy, Golfing with God, Breakfast with Buddha, The Vatican Waltz, and Dinner with Buddha. He lives with his wife and children in Massachusetts. His website is www.rolandmerullo.com.

Editorial Reviews

Diners, truck stops, Indian reservations, national landmarks, Las Vegas—all lead the duo down the road to both prayerful seeking and hilarious adventure. Otto's first-person narration lends a memoir-like tone, and references to current events (Pope Francis, the 2016 election, fracking) offer a sense of immediacy. Likable Otto and wise Rinpochet lead readers on a thoughtful and memorable journey.” —Shelf Awareness for Readers, starred review

“With six unconventionally religious novels to date, this brave, meditative author has carved a unique niche in American literature.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“Merullo offers keen insight into and intelligent assessments of modern American life, but it is his compassionate portrait of a grieving Otto in search of inner tranquility that is most affecting.” —Booklist

“Merullo masterfully depicts the struggles of practicing mindfulness moment by moment . . . [the] novel is  full of nuanced, thoughtful prose and is an immensely satisfying conclusion to the series.”—Publishers Weekly

“Otto is such a full human, which is why we can empathize with his questions and immerse ourselves in his experiences. In the end, we are all humanized by the spiritual journey of Dinner with Buddda.” —Spirituality and Practice

 

From the Publisher

Narrator Sean Runnette moves from the "very American" New York book editor Otto Ringling to his polar opposite brother-in-law, Russian Buddhist monk Volya Rinpoche. Each man sounds unique, charming, and believable, with Rinpoche's misunderstanding of American words and Ringling's patient explanations adding both realism and humor. The pair hit the road again in this third novel told from Ringling's perspective. Rinpoche learns about America, its diverse inhabitants, the unique countryside—which often functions as a character—and progressive politics. Most moving is Ringling's education about Buddhism, particularly his descriptions of learning how to meditate. Listeners will enjoy an appealing journey that seamlessly blends wit, sorrow, philosophy, food, and even travel suggestions. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine

AUGUST 2015 - AudioFile

Narrator Sean Runnette moves from the "very American" New York book editor Otto Ringling to his polar opposite brother-in-law, Russian Buddhist monk Volya Rinpoche. Each man sounds unique, charming, and believable, with Rinpoche's misunderstanding of American words and Ringling's patient explanations adding both realism and humor. The pair hit the road again in this third novel told from Ringling's perspective. Rinpoche learns about America, its diverse inhabitants, the unique countryside—which often functions as a character—and progressive politics. Most moving is Ringling's education about Buddhism, particularly his descriptions of learning how to meditate. Listeners will enjoy an appealing journey that seamlessly blends wit, sorrow, philosophy, food, and even travel suggestions. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine

AUGUST 2015 - AudioFile