Breakfast with Buddha [Paperback]

Roland Merullo (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 26, 2008

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.

A sequel entitled Lunch with Buddha will be released on November 13, 2012.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Merullo, author of the Revere Beach series and Golfing with God, delivers a comic but winningly spiritual road-trip novel. Otto Ringling is a food-book editor and a happily married father of two living in a tony New York suburb. After Otto's North Dakota parents are killed in a car crash, he plans to drive his ebulliently New Age sister, Cecilia, back home to sell the family farm. But when Otto arrives to pick up Cecilia in Paterson, N.J. (where she does tarot readings and past-life regressions), she declares her intention to give her half of the farm to her guru, Volvo Rinpoche, who will set up a retreat there. Cecilia asks Otto to take Rinpoche to North Dakota instead; after a fit of skeptical rage in which he rails internally against his sister's gullibility, he accepts, and the novel is off and running. Merullo takes the reader through the small towns and byways of Midwestern America, which look unexpectedly alluring through Rinpoche's eyes. Well-fed Western secularist Otto is only half-aware that his life might need fixing, and his slow discovery of Rinpoche's nature, and his own, make for a satisfying read. A set piece of Otto's chaotic first meditation session is notably hilarious, and the whole book is breezy and affecting. (Oct.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Bookmarks Magazine

With Breakfast with Buddha, Roland Merullo, the author of seven books, including the critically acclaimed Revere Beach Trilogy and A Little Love Story (HHHH Selection Jan/Feb 2006), takes on one of the oldest and most popular literary genres—the road novel. Authors from Chaucer to Twain to Kerouac have already written journey-focused masterpieces, and some critics pointed out that Merullo isn’t necessarily doing anything new in this novel. However, as the Washington Post declares, "Yes, it’s all formulaic, but it’s such a sweet formula!" Despite the presence of a few mechanical scenes and characters, reviewers appreciated Merullo’s engaging writing style and his light and joyous treatment of what could have been very heavy-handed spiritual material.
Copyright © 2004 Phillips & Nelson Media, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Algonquin Books; Reprint edition (August 26, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565126165
• ISBN-13: 978-1565126169
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (197 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,301 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Roland Merullo was born in Boston and raised in the working-class city of Revere, Massachusetts. He had a scholarship to Exeter Academy and graduated in 1971, attended Boston University for two years, transferred to Brown and graduated from Brown in 1975, then earned a Master's there--in Russian Studies-- in 1976. Roland has published eleven novels and four books of non-fiction, and given talks at hundreds of universities, schools, bookstores, and other venues. He currently lives in Massachusetts with his wife Amanda and their two daughters. He can be reached via his website: RolandMerullo.com.

Merullo's new novel, Lunch with Buddha, is the long-awaited sequel to Breakfast with Buddha and details a road trip from Washington State to North Dakota with the same wonderful characters as its predecessor. In a Starred Review, Kirkus Magazine called it, "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."

For more details go to LunchwithBuddha.com or Roland Merullo's FaceBook page or website.

His best-selling novel, Breakfast with Buddha, recently went into its 14th printing. Like Golfing with God before it, and American Savior after it, Breakfast with Buddha treats questions of philosophy/spirituality from a multi-denominational viewpoint and with a healthy dose of humor. The novel is provocative, not irreverent, and it has become a favorite with book clubs all over the country. It was based on an actual trip Merullo took from New York to North Dakota, most of it in the company of his wife and daughters. Another novel, Golfing with God, has just been optioned for film by Gemfilms.

His Alex Award-winning 2011 novel, The Talk-Funny Girl, recently out in paperback, is the story of a teenage girl in rural New Hampshire who escapes an abusive home life in a most unusual way. It follows a theme that can be found in almost all Merullo's books: a person overcoming some past trauma, whether that be the stress of war, illness, divorce, addiction, or early abuse.

The Alex Awards are given by the Young Adult Library Services Association to ten books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults, ages 12 through 18.

Several old favorites--Leaving Losapas, A Russian Requiem, Passion for Golf, Revere Beach Boulevard, and Revere Beach Elegy, have just been reissued from AJAR Contemporaries, in print form and as e-books. AJAR has also brought out Roland's small book of writing advice, Demons of the Blank Page. Roland does workshops based on this book at libraries and other venues. Watch his FaceBook page for news of these workshops.

Merullo has a side-speciality, golf writing. His articles and columns appear frequently in Golf World Magazine, and his golf books include GOLFING WITH GOD, THE ITALIAN SUMMER, AND PASSION FOR GOLF.

He also writes regularly for the Boston Globe Op-Ed page.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

109 of 117 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Guru To Go, Anyone? January 31, 2008

By Ken C. TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Hardcover

Otto Ringling is your typical American: upper middle class, happily married, one boy, one girl, one decent-paying job. House, picket fence, nine yards of the "whole" variety. But Otto's in store for an atypical ride when his "New Age" sister, Cecilia, asks that he allow a guru named Rinpoche to ride shotgun with him from Jersey to North Dakota.

The premise is a bit far-out, forcing Merullo to negotiate an opening that attempts to make it all feasible. This takes time and doesn't entirely succeed, but eventually we settle in for this "road novel" with the grumpy Doubting Otto (Thomas was busy) behind the wheel and the beatific, beaming Volya Rinpoche (the Dalai Lama was busy) riding shotgun.

On the Road (sorry, Jack), we're treated to all manner of fun and games, both physical and verbal. The physical comes compliments of Rinpoche's naivete in all things American. The verbal comes in the form of cynical Otto trying to trip Mr. Mystical up (he fails, of course, every time).

If you like philosophy or religion, if you are middle-aged and have given any thought to that Mortality fellow creeping up behind you, or if you have ever asked the clichéd question, "What's the meaning of life, anyway?" then this is a book for you. Rinpoche claims he isn't Buddhist, and his words show how well-versed Merullo is in many religions, not just Buddhism, but nevertheless, our charming man of wisdom, swathed in maroon robe, comes off in a Zen kind of way. Thus, readers with an interest in the East will be treated to an easy, story-based introduction to Buddhism (which goes down much easier than many of the introductory books you could find in the Eastern religions section of your bookstores)....

Ultimately, this interesting exercise wins you over only to break down at the end. As was the case with the beginning, the ending stretches credibility a bit (especially the last page), but overall you have to give it to Merullo -- it was mostly fun, mostly thoughtful, and mostly worth the trip. Reservations aside, I recommend it if you are part of the target audience. Go ahead. Look over your shoulder. If you see this Mortality guy I mentioned (or ANYthing carrying a scythe), buy the book, focus on your breathing, and let go of your anger. Hey, it's a start anyway (and, fortunately for you, endings are beginnings in this book... even in such garden variety items as Life). Read more ›

52 of 56 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I laughed, I cried, this is a must read!! November 27, 2007

By C. Jones

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I purchased this book after reading a review emailed to me. I am so very happy that I did! Although Buddha is in the title, the book is only obliquely about Buddhism...the secondary character happens to wear a robe and is a guru...this story is about a physical and spiritual journey frought with humor, reflection, good food and pathos. Even casual characters are painted wonderfully by this author, but you are really along to share Otto's journey of self-discovery and I believe every reader will learn much about themselves as they travel through it.

I have a long list of friends and family members waiting to read it and look forward to discussions with them about their take on Otto and Rinpoche.

43 of 48 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This book changed my life March 1, 2008

By M. Roth

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I loved reading Breakfast with Buddha. It was an easy and fun read. The story flowed and the characters were interesting and likeable. I could not put it down and then parts of it continued to come back to me throughout the following days. I reread it and shared it with two friends who also loved it. I recommend this book to anyone even if you don't usually read straight novels. I am a mystery reader myself and I loved it.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Breakfast a good start April 11, 2008

By Barbara

Format:Hardcover

What a wonderful way to start the day! This was a quiet thoughtful book. It didn't smack you in the face with life-changing ideas. It seemed to be more of an osmosis-type experience. It was a simple story about a man changing his mind with a little help from his traveling companion. And with that simple premise, the author encompassed so much of the human condition; so much of our commonality, our thoughts, dreams, hopes, questions about life. I closed the book often to contemplate something the holy man had said, to soak it in. I found myself to be so at peace that sometimes I drifted off to sleep with the book in my lap (an attempt at meditation).

The messages in this book will stay with me. I plan to do more reading along this line and it is because of this book.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One sitting - read August 10, 2008

By rbjohnson

Format:Hardcover

Sometimes you need something to read that just makes you feel good -- this book did this for me. It had all the ingredients of a good read: road trip across America, use of language which caught me writing snippets down because written so well, spiritual odyssey of a modern man, filled with religious/spiritual teachings in a nonthreatening nor intimidating way. Author gives a litany of substantive sources for the thoughts his character espoused within the text which clearly shows the underpinning spiritual message is meatier than one might think. Yes, it is formulaic, but who cares because when reading it you just want to smile!!!!

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A trip marked by memories December 7, 2007

By Bookreporter

Format:Hardcover

BREAKFAST WITH BUDDHA is Roland Merullo's story of a man's journey to self-discovery. The means by which Otto Ringling transforms his viewpoints on life, love, parents, children, siblings and growth is told quite simply. Otto begins a cross-country drive from his home in a New York City suburb to the remote plains of North Dakota, to the farm where he spent his childhood. His novel could read as a travelogue across the mid-section of the United States. However, BREAKFAST WITH BUDDHA is a trip marked by memories revived in the places he now visits.

Told in the first person, the book engulfs the reader immediately into the task that Otto must perform. His parents' lives have been snuffed in an automobile crash. Otto plans an August itinerary for travel that accommodates his busy schedule as a New York editor. Summer is the slack season for book promotion, an ideal time to re-bond with his flaky sister, Cecilia. She's a retread from the '60s, complete with yoga, incense and her spiritual guru, Volya Rinpoche. The crimson-robed Skovordinian monk is a Zen-master in his own right, with the credit of books written and a dedicated following. His popularity reaches into the Midwest where he is scheduled to speak on his favorite subjects.

Arriving at Cecilia's sanctuary, Otto meets the affable, intelligent monk and plans to whisk his sister off to North Dakota, where they hope to settle the family estate. Otto's first impression was that Seese was dating the Dali Lama. Trepidation floods him when she states, "Otto, Sweeethart...Rinpoche is going on the trip to North Dakota." Her brother pretends not to hear her.

Furthermore, she plans to deed her half of the family farm to the monk for a spiritual center. Angry and feeling duped, Otto excuses Rinpoche from the scene.... Brother and sister will have a knock-down fight over Seese's latest revelation. She's squandering her inheritance! Her ardent pleas sound ridiculous, but Otto loses the argument and agrees to show Rinpoche America. Cecilia's words stick with him.

"The country needs help, spiritual help. He'll change your life too, if you just let him."

Though not overweight, one reads into Otto's fascination with food choices as a mask for the areas of his life he chooses to ignore. Rinpoche dubs Otto as "angry" toward life in general. While the spiritualist meditates, smiles a Cheshire-like grin and expounds an occasional platitude, Otto plans ahead for the next lodging space and meal. Chicago is a turning point in his journey. There, he accompanies the monk to a yoga class and participates in the activity. Determined to make it through the postures, his face turning crimson, sweat trickling onto his clothing, Otto's fury miraculously subsides. For a brief time, he has experienced a quietude he has overlooked in an activity-filled life.

Revelation marches toward Otto like a slow-dripping faucet that cannot be ignored. Together, the two unlikely companions share witticism, food, yoga, a round of bowling and silence in the miles they travel. Rinpoche cautions his driver to slow down the fast life, to unlearn the cluttered knowledge of a frantic world and to listen to breathing in a body renewed by yoga. By the time they exit the fast lanes into the quiet country of rural prairie, Otto discovers a new understanding of his world. It is there, in his childhood place, that his final surprise awaits.

Merullo's skill with the pen enchants the reader with a fresh awareness of how man confronts his spiritual side in a chaotic world. The monk's character is rich with humor, silence and understanding. It matters not that his audience shares a religious conviction with this man but that change can occur in a skeptical soul.

--- Reviewed by Judy Gigstad Read more ›