"In this engaging follow-up novel, Merullo takes readers on
a spiritual road trip through the American West. . . . In Otto Ringling,
Merullo offers a hero that’s a bit jaded but loving; a little lost but
searching. One can’t help but root for Otto, despite — or perhaps because
of — his curmudgeonly tendencies, and hope that he finds the inner
peace that, even if he doesn’t quite know it, he desperately seeks. . .
. a beautifully written and compelling story about a man’s search for
meaning that earnestly and accessibly tackles some well-trodden but
universal questions.
. . . A quiet meditation on life, death, darkness and
spirituality, sprinkled with humor, tenderness and stunning landscapes." - Kirkus Starred Review
"alternately
hilarious and poignant . . . Merullo's detailed descriptions of the
American Northwest keep the writinggrounded even as its themes
turn increasingly spiritual.Merullo doesn't try too hard
to prove any spiritual points, however.As a result, Lunch
is a moving yet entertaining and never histrionic account of how an
ordinary American family - with a few extraordinary members in its ranks
- deals with the overwhelming grief of losing one of their own." - Tricycle: The Buddhist Review
"Merullo is a thoughtful guy and Lunch with Buddha examines questions
that crop up sooner or later for many (most?) of us. ...Although Volya’s
wise lectures, and coaching in meditation techniques, are helpful to
Otto’s search for answers, it is the variety of people they meet – and
the attitudes that those individuals carry – that are what provide Otto
with the evidence and reminders and motivation to decide to live a
certain way....Reading Merullo’s novel, I couldn’t help but think of the
themes of Emerson, Thoreau, and Whitman–their great reverence for
independent, passionate, non-conformist thought–the different
drummer–but never without the accompanying respect for it in others." - The Salem
News
"As we move through life, we
search for the little explanations of life and living and making it all
come together for us. Lunch with Buddha is
a spiritual novel from Roland Merullo that tells the story of Otto
Ringling, a man trying to understand the many lessons of his teacher
Volya Rinpoche and the constantly shifting view of his complicated life.
Lunch with Buddha will ring true with many readers. Highly
recommended." -Midwest Book Review
"Lunch
with Buddha is a delicious and divine novel, and although it
stands alone quite well, I cannot wait to also read Breakfast with Buddha".
* * *
"There is humor and sorrow, joy and fear,
laughter and introspection . . .“Lunch”
is a story of how we connect with family and beyond. . . .I look forward
to having dinner with this engaging cast of characters."
* * *
"This is a story about how love shapes our
lives. You don’t have to be a middle-aged father of two, a bereaved
spouse, or even a spiritual person to appreciate the magic that Roland
Merullo weaves in
Lunch with Buddha.
His is a novel that transcends the cultural, linguistic, and religious
divides that often complicate our lives and leave us pondering its great
mysteries. Merullo has written a story
that tugs at the heartstrings..."
* * *
"Lunch With Buddha is lyrical, thought-provoking,
exquisite. I knew I was in for a treat from the first page, basking in
the rich language, and Merullo’s novel is truly a joy for the senses."
* * *
Roland
Merullo is an elegant, understated writer who dares to approach
spirituality - an unusual topic in American fiction...When I finished
reading
Lunch with Buddha
I found myself thinking of the characters as real people, even worrying
about them a bit, and hoping I would be able to meet them again soon.
Highly recommended for seekers and skeptics alike."
* * *
"At it’s heart, Lunch with Buddha
is about possibility and hope, exquisite characterization and vivid
prose, especially when describing grief...I do recommend this to book
clubs — so much to discuss!And there is no need to first
read Breakfast with
Buddha.I believe this second novel
will lend itself to discussion even more easily and needs no preamble."
* * *
"I enjoyed most how comfortable the writing was, even the book
itself just felt peaceful. It’s almost like a warm second skin to slip
into during a storm."
* * * * * * *
Roland Merullo is the author of 15 books
- including 10 works of fiction
Lunch with
Buddha has the same main characters as
Breakfast with Buddha
(Rinpoche, Otto, Cecelia, Otto’s family) and is, like its predecessor, a
road trip book.This
time, though, the trip is from Seattle, Washington to Dickenson, North
Dakota, a route that takes the travelers through Washington State,
across the Idaho Panhandle, across the breadth of Montana, and into
parts of North Dakota not visited in Breakfast.
There is humor and philosophical / spiritual ideas,
just as in the first book, but I have worked hard not to make this
simply a carbon-copy with a little different map.Otto is facing a central problem that is very different from his
challenges in Breakfast with
Buddha.Rinpoche, of course, is of tremendous help to him, though in
amusing, unpredictable, and sometimes baffling ways.
It was a joy to take the road trip and see a part
of America I have never seen, and it’s been a pleasure re-immersing
myself in the lives of these people, and stretching my own world-view as
I ponder theirs.I hope you
enjoy Lunch with Buddha; my thanks to the hardworking people at AJAR and
to all the many people and book groups who read
Breakfast with Buddha.
Good Reading,
Available for Sale:
* Paperback
* Standard Hardcover
* eBook
OR
* Special Signed & Numbered Limited Edition Version
(print run of 350)
FROM: Your local Independent Bookstore,
Barnes & Noble, Amazon or by clicking the link below
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Thank you.
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