Breakfast with Buddha

by Roland Merullo

Overview

"Enlightenment meets On the Road in this witty, insightful novel." —The Boston Sunday Globe

When his sister tricks him into taking her guru on a trip to their childhood home, Otto Ringling, a confirmed skeptic, is not amused. Six days on the road with an enigmatic holy man who answers every question with a riddle is not what he'd planned. But in an effort to westernize his passenger—and amuse himself—he decides to show the monk some "American fun" along the way. From a chocolate factory in Hershey to a bowling alley in South Bend, from a Cubs game at Wrigley field to his family farm near Bismarck, Otto is given the remarkable opportunity to see his world—and more important, his life—through someone else's eyes. Gradually, skepticism yields to amazement as he realizes that his companion might just be the real thing.

In Roland Merullo's masterful hands, Otto tells his story with all the wonder, bemusement, and wry humor of a man who unwittingly finds what he's missing in the most unexpected place.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781565126169
Publisher:	Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill
Publication date:	08/26/2008
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	336
Sales rank:	66,845
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.00(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.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"The skillful Merullo, using the lightest of touches, slowly turns this low-key comedy into a moving story of spiritual awakening." —-Booklist

Editorial Reviews

"Enlightenment meets On the Road in this witty, insightful novel."—The Boston Sunday Globe

From the Publisher

"A laugh-out loud novel that’s both comical and wise…balancing irreverence with insight."—The Louisville Courier-Journal

Louisville Courier Journal

Please don't be put off when I describe this pleasant, engaging novel as a sermon. I admit I was put off during the first 50 pages or so, when I realized what I was in for, but I got to liking Breakfast with Buddha more and more as I went along and was very sorry when it ended.
—The Washington Post

Carolyn See

"Insightful, amusing, loving…There are lovely moments of enlightenment that are not accompanied by angels with flaming swords; rather, there is that peaceful blue sphere that is available to all of us."—The Seattle Times

Seattle Times

"[Merullo's] gift is slipping gentle spiritual lessons into easy-reading narratives…with such effortless charm."—The Christian Science Monitor

Christian Science Monitor

"Enlightenment meets On the Road in this witty, insightful novel."—The Boston Sunday Globe

Boston Globe

"A wonderful, heartfelt novel that frequently surprises as we're lulled by the sights and sounds of the open road"—Providence Journal

Providence Journal

"The skillful Merullo, using the lightest of touches, slowly turns this low-key comedy into a moving story of spiritual awakening."—Booklist

Booklist

A "pleasant, engaging novel . . . I got to liking Breakfast With Buddha more and more as I went along and was very sorry when it ended . . . it's such a sweet formula! . . . On finishing this book, I decided that Roland Merullo would be a great guy to take a road trip with."—Carolyn See of the Washington Post

The Washington Post - Carolyn See

A "pleasant, engaging novel . . . I got to liking Breakfast With Buddha more and more as I went along and was very sorry when it ended . . . it's such a sweet formula! . . . On finishing this book, I decided that Roland Merullo would be a great guy to take a road trip with."--Carolyn See of the Washington Post
— Carolyn See

The Washington Post