Customer Reviews

The Holy Man

5 star:		(39)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book is a metaphor (in the tradition of the Canterbury Tales) for the various journeys each of us take to find wisdom. Often we feel that someone or a place will give us the results we seek in life, but eventually the realization grows on us that the answers are already programmed in ourselves. In her writing, Susan Trott takes us along for the ride as she slices into many perspectives on the road to the Holy Man. Highly recommended reading... but give yourself some thinking time in between the chapters. It will help you reconnect with your beliefs in an authentic way.

The Holy Man was such a pleasurable book to read. The writing style was simple, but the meaning was so deep. The Holy Man lives on a hill and people from every surrounding village, and some from even farther, come to ask his advice on every matter. There are small chapters of about 4 pages that introduce some of the pilgrims that have made their way to the Holy Man's house. The advice and words he dispenses are beautiful amd sometimes humorous.

I'm glad to see so many favorable reports about The Holy Man, as it is quite possibly my favorite book. This book provides a model for life that is so succinct and simple; and really hits home in a number of ways. When I wasn't laughing, I was squirming a bit, even a couple of dozen reads later.

I have given away more copies of this book than I can count. I highly recommend sitting down and reading through it only a chapter at a time so that you can think about it. It's a quick read, so you'll have plenty of time to read the sequel, The Holy Man's Journey! It's great, too, but the first one is just a treasure.

Somewhere up in the mountains, someone is living his life, during the winter he is alone, but during the summer hundreds of visitors are passing by and visit him with their questions. They see him as a godlike being, but the only thing he does is showing them a way through his house. 'You wanted to see the holy man? You just did, now go and greet anyone you meet as a godlike being.' And off they went, totally amazed over the things they didnot notice. The book contains only stories with this moral, but Trott writes them in such a way that they are all amazing, believable and as soon as you have understood the moral of the first story, you read on to hear the next and the next and the next, and starting all over again.....

This inspirational book, with short chapters that tell a story and teach a lesson, pulls in the reader from the start. We meet the holy man who offers advice in a manner like a minister, a Rabbi, a priest, or any spiritual leader you know without focusing on any particular religion. Though some resources categorize the book as religion - Christian, it's not. In fact, the only thing it does is quote Jesus and Eastern thought on several occasions. The generic quotes apply to everyone, not just to those who believe in a specific religion.

The book absorbs the reader. You can read it quickly or take it slow by indulging in a couple of stories at a time. Each chapter tells a tale and teaches a lesson. However, in the big scheme of things, there's progression from start to finish as a couple of characters appear throughout. For instance, if you read the last chapter first, it might not make sense or have as much meaning without having read an earlier chapter introducing several of the characters we see at the end. Once you've read through the book, you can go back and read a story of your choice.

Joe, the holy man, has flaws like any human being. No matter how wise or spiritual a person becomes, human nature dictates our imperfections. Joe's mistakes makes him more endearing. The reader discovers the problems faced correspond to those we have encountered in our lives such as envy, egotism, grief, and anger. The stories drive the reader to smile, frown, be surprised, grimace, and laugh.

You don't have to think hard or read between the line to get the message from each story. Just sit back, read, enjoy, and learn. Occasionally, you might run into prose that has little meaning, but read on and the message will come through. While the story compares to Chaucer's tales, it contains a trickle of modernization. Trott's writing style tells the story in a simple and easy to read manner, yet somehow the profound lessons come through effortlessly.

I loved this book. It is so simple and yet so profound. I got it because of a review I read in Unity magazine. It sounded so original. And that it was. Somehow you find yourself seeking answers... throughout the pages... but just like the people in the line you realize that you have all you need NOW in this instant. This book is like a lemon, I think you could read it over and over and squeeze out just a little more each time.

I have given this book as a gift more than 100 times now. I often give it to graduates - both high school and college. As a teacher, I've had the opportunity to read this book to over a thousand students. Of course there have been students who didn't get it or who did get it and simply didn't like the book, but most (possibly over 80%) have enjoyed the story and learned something from it. I have also sent this book to people in some sort of trouble - jail or rehab type situations - and the gift has always been received with great enthusiasm. Personally, the book changed my life, as trite as that sounds. I keep hoping Oprah will discover and share it.

Along the path of life comes humor and reality. Rarely does an author express both with poignancy and personality. The Holy Man represents us-you and I- and our path to find what is already there. Susan Trott does a stellar job with this book. Kudos and plaudits for an easy read with a deeper meaning

What a gem! This little book is simply and elegantly written. I found that I wanted to read only one chapter at each sitting, then to savor it overnight. Every visitor is a teacher for me. I can see so much of my own self in every one of those standing in line. And in that mirroring process, I can see through to another level.

Absolutely brilliant! I highly recommend this book to everyone. (In fact, I just ordered 5 copies to have on hand for gifts.) Kudos to Susan Trott.

I treasure this book. I have given away more than 50 copies of it since it came out. I've read it to more than 25 classes of teenaged students - many of whom went out and got their own copies. I also have all of the other Susan Trott books I have been able to find. I've read several of those novels more than once. If your heart is open to it - The Holy Man can change your life.