Customer Reviews

Aama in America: A Pilgrimage of the Heart

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Mr. Coburn is an organ grinder and his book is a parade of his toy, Aama, a diminutive woman from a primitive culture who tours with the author and his other woman on a string, his girlfriend, Didi, throughout selected sites in our "advanced civilization" (his terms), America.

This travel book had so much potential to become a seering analysis of the destructive forces of our culture that has us caterwauling out of control, but Mr. Coburn seems to be too enraptured with himself and the esteem that he seems to gather while traveling with an entourage of two very different women.

Coburn introduces Aama to air travel, to Disneyland, to the forests and farmlands of America. The octagenarian woman from Nepal responds to these American landmarks with childlike humor and dismay and always with cute simplicity. When Aama speaks with criticism about Americans, Mr. Coburn, et. al., chuckle and chortle and do not take the primitive woman seriously--of course, until it is too late and she is no longer here.

Further, Mr. Coburn relates a sub-story in his book, relating how difficult it is for him to commit to any lasting relationship to his girlfriend and travel partner, Didi. He keeps her at bay--no, worse, he abandons her for a month-long fling in Seattle, only to wind up desolate and destitute and remorseful. This book seems to be a record of his see-saw emotions: I want to have a commited relationship with her v. I think that there is someone else that just might be better for me. It is so tasteless that in his postscript to the book, he relates his "score!" by stating that he finally had a child with his girlfriend....but nothing else.

Sigh. I was hoping that this book might be a probing analysis of just how bankrupt we have become in these technologically advanced times. But the author seemed more concerned about what the elder visionary meant to his own status--How typically American!

I found this book to be absolutely delightful! Seeing America through Aama's eyes was rather refreshing - how right she was about so many things. We Americans are not as reverent to our Creator as we should be, nor do we give Him thanks for all He has given us. And how refreshing to see a human being enjoy things with utter and thankful delight, without reserve, cynicism or skepticism! Besides, the book was just plain funny. Aama's thoughts and interpretations of the sights and events she experiences in America are hilarious and heart warming. I found myself wanting to hug her tight and talk to her so I could see life the way she does and learn from her. Unlike some of the other reviewers, I don't think the author belittles Aama at all. He is quite honest about the times when he knows he didn't appreciate her like he should of - he admits he was wrong at times. In the end, he realizes he has loved her with his whole heart and he is grateful for having known her.

I will admit, however, that at times, I was a little concerned about exactly where his head was when it came to his relationship with Didi. I trust that they are still together and enjoying living their lives together.

A good, fun, light-hearted read that makes you quietly think about the more important things of life!!!

It's the kind of book you think about weeks after having read it. It is inspiring and makes you stop to realize that there is so much more to life than the hustle of trying to keep afloat. It is funny and at times sad. I truely enjoyed it!

This book is a must read for anyone who feels there must be another way of looking at life besides malls and television. The author grapples with his own value system as his Aama experiences and comments on parts of life in America that he had taken for granted. Aama is uncensored and without pretensions as she relates her perceptions of places and customs across 25 states. I dare you not to love this book!

I found this book on accident and bought it on a whim. It was a truly pleasant surprise. As we continue to have challenges in our lives, stories like this allow you to experience a new perspective on our lives and the things we take for granted. If Americans could have even the smallest amount of Aama's devout approach to life and her respect for the things around her we would not see the things in our culture that shock us today. This is truly a story worth reading to learn from the other side of the world.

A difficult book to slog through, what with the author's heavy handed commentary, wooden dialogue, awkwardly constructed scenes and cloying sentiment. What a wonderful opportunity, and what a terrific character Aama could have been! As poor as the writing is, it could have been made better by a good editor, but that opportunity seems to have been lost as well. Finally, as a character in his own book, the author is less than sympathetic, to put it mildly. His girlfriend, Didi, and Aama must have had a lot of patience -- more than I had reading this book.

This book finds a personal meaning for each person who will read it. Mr. Coburn takes his "adopted Mother"/friend, Aama, an elderly Nepalese woman, to his home--America. Aama has been confined to her village all of her life, but she realizes that this journey will be the last. This is scary for her, but she also realizes it is important that she have this experience. As I read this book, I became aware of how my view of America was numbed by ethnocentric attitudes. What I had taken for granted, felt assured of, was realigned by Aama and her fresh observations. Thank you, Mr. Coburn, for the introduction. Since this reading, I have tried to slow down, listen, and respect my surroundings. Too gushy? Too real, is more like it. America is beautiful, yet embarassing, as you travel with Aama through the natural beauty of our land and waters, to the modernity and wastes of our culture. This is not a book by a major novelist or writer, but who cares? I'm glad he shared what became a major life passage for him. Namaste.

This book finds a personal meaning for each person who will read it. Mr. Coburn takes his "adopted Mother"/friend, Aama, an elderly Nepalese woman, to his home--America. Aama has been confined to her village all of her life, but she realizes that this journey will be the last. This is scary for her, but she also realizes it is important that she have this experience. As I read this book, I became aware of how my view of America was numbed by ethnocentric attitudes. What I had taken for granted, felt assured of, was realigned by Aama and her fresh observations. Thank you, Mr. Coburn, for the introduction. Since this reading, I have tried to slow down, listen, and respect my surroundings. Too gushy? Too real, is more like it. America is beautiful, yet embarassing, as you travel with Aama through the natural beauty of our land and waters, to the modernity and wastes of our culture. This is not a book by a major novelist or writer, but who cares? I'm glad he shared what became a major life passage for him. Namaste.

I was so amazed about how many things we are so used to and don't even think about it anymore. It is a very eye opening book but also very funny and never boring because it is a real story. I will always read it again.

I picked up this book as someone who's been to India and met some wonderful people, some of who reminded me just a little bit of Aama. Anyone can travel the world, but I think regional people are really the most unique.

The author bonded with Aama and considered her to be a mother figure. He decided to bring her on a tour of America. A pretty crazy idea, but in a way I thought it was also an amazing and generous offer. Then again, I wonder if he had the idea of writing a book about it in the back of his mind.

The book is full of anecdotes about Aama's adjusting to life in America. Almost like that's the main theme of the book. After living for 8 decades in Nepal, she's pretty confused with things. I could identify with this because of having Indian relatives and seeing the clash of cultures there; they didn't know some things about America, and I also was in for some surprises when I went to India. There certainly are misunderstandings which can be funny. However, I started to feel that these things are more amusing when shared among friends. So much of the book is made up of these anecdotes, it almost seems like it's making fun, a kind of "look at all the funny things this cute old lady from Nepal thinks!", or at least filling up the book with anecdotes to make it more entertaining.

Many passersby thought that she was Native American. She met some Native Americans and it was interesting that she identified with them, thinking of them as a tribe that split off from her people. She did spend some time criticizing American culture. It's understandable from her viewpoint, but I got tired of the East=Good, West=Bad apologetics. I have never been a huge defender of the greatness of Western civilization, but I don't see it in black-and-white. I mean really--in a few places she criticized us for things like not giving an animal sacrifice! She also had very little knowledge of things like astronomy. She was mainly upset that America was lacking in religion--the same thing Christian fundamentalists think is wrong with the country. Her opinion was that we should pray more, leave more offerings, and other such rituals. We should certainly take time to see the beauty in life, and be grateful for what we have, but I don't think religion is necessary for that or anything else. Basically, she was very superstitious. If she'd had some advice about the environment I'd be more trusting in what she said, but she even said that people should all have children (and add to the population). The author was basically silent about what he thought of this, making me think that he went right along with it. I don't think it would have been disrespectful just to have some dialogue. Or did the author really agree with everything she said?

Aama was vividly portrayed, but I couldn't figure out what the author and his girlfriend were about (and what exactly their problem was with each other). They came off as self-absorbed new age types who needed absolute soul-mate perfection in a relationship. They seemed to go along with every religious ceremony and belief without any questioning nor much evidence. They both went to psychics and gurus, taking their vague words (such as "it could go either way"!) at face value and basing their lives on them. I do think it is possible to love another culture and respect a religion without going along with everything in it.