The Holy Man (Paperback)

by Susan Trott (Author) "There was a holy man who lived in a hermitage on a mountain..." (more)
Key Phrases: dappled ponies, holy man, Hermitage Trail

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
The Holy Man is a delightful pilgrim's tale set in the modern world. Written with wit and verve, it tells the story of a gentle-natured disciple who, in the space of a week, moves from fear and doubt to joyful enlightenment. Anna's teacher is Joe, a wise and patient sage who sees in her the acolyte he has long been seeking. As their relationship grows, she begins to assume his mantle, while he sees her become ever more sure-footed. Watching this relationship unfold is wonderful, and Susan Trott shows uncanny insight into the nature of friendship as well as the interplay between pupil and teacher.

But this novel isn't solely about Anna's progression towards enlightenment, since she doesn't come alone to the holy man's door--she is accompanied by her skeptical husband, Errol, and their two children. They, too, have spiritual journeys to make, and in so doing enrich and instruct both Anna and her mentor. The Holy Man is a charming read and an uplifting one that never veers into the sentimental or trite. --Lucas LoBlack, Amazon.co.uk

From Publishers Weekly
Trott, who has won a wide readership with her individualistic, witty novels (Divorcing Daddy), may touch some readers with this charming and quirky, if sometimes woolly, fable about a 72-year-old holy man named Joe and the pilgrims to whom he dispenses advice. Joe, who likes to allude to Jesus and Buddha, is very human and fallible, clandestinely taking pills for his heart ailment. Most visitors are rushed through his mountain hermitage in 20 seconds; he rarely talks to them but many seem to benefit anyway, letting go of egotism, envy, arrogance and other spiritual ills. Joe's wisdom too often seems lifted from fortune cookies ("Your life, stripped to its essence, is pure gold"). He glibly recycles Eastern ideas, as when he tells a grieving widower that his wife "was never yours. Nothing that you have is yours," and he occasionally slips into New Age psychobabble ("Einstein completely abandoned his ego.... Then he was free to think, free to release his intuitive power"). But his basic message?tolerance, overcoming greed and ignorance, recognizing the inherent holiness of people and nature?shines through Trott's prose. BOMC and QPB selection.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Riverhead Trade (April 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573225320
• ISBN-13: 978-1573225328
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #18,583 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Lyrical Pilgrimage, December 28, 2001

By	Vidya C. Sekhar "Vidya Chandra Sekhar" (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Joy to read, July 17, 2003

By	E. L. Weinhold "Lolly" (Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing, like a breath of fresh air, a dip in cool waters, July 29, 2001

By	Gena M. Lumbroso (Bussy-St--Georges France) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.