Dinner with Buddha

Narrator Sean Runnette moves from the "very American" New York book editor Otto Ringling to his polar opposite brother-in-law, Russian Buddhist monk Volya Rinpoche. Each man sounds unique, charming, and believable, with Rinpoche's misunderstanding of American words and Ringling's patient explanations adding both realism and humor. The pair hit the road again in this third novel told from Ringling's perspective. Rinpoche learns about America, its diverse inhabitants, the unique countryside--which often functions as a character--and progressive politics. Most moving is Ringling's education about Buddhism, particularly his descriptions of learning how to meditate. Listeners will enjoy an appealing journey that seamlessly blends wit, sorrow, philosophy, food, and even travel suggestions. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine


Narrator Sean Runnette moves from the "very American" New York book editor Otto Ringling to his polar opposite brother-in-law, Russian Buddhist monk Volya Rinpoche. Each man sounds unique, charming, and believable, with Rinpoche's misunderstanding of American words and Ringling's patient explanations adding both realism and humor. The pair hit the road again in this third novel told from Ringling's perspective. Rinpoche learns about America, its diverse inhabitants, the unique countryside--which often functions as a character--and progressive politics. Most moving is Ringling's education about Buddhism, particularly his descriptions of learning how to meditate. Listeners will enjoy an appealing journey that seamlessly blends wit, sorrow, philosophy, food, and even travel suggestions. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine

April 20, 2015
When Otto Ringling embarked on a road trip eight years ago with his Russian monk brother-in-law, Volya Rinpoche, in Breakfast with Buddha, he exposed the spiritual master to the messy intricacies of American society and, in turn, was taught the Buddhist method of self-discovery through meditation and mindfulness. They're on the road again, but this time with graver concerns: middle-aged Otto has experienced a series of life-changing losses, while Rinpoche's seven-year-old daughter may be the next Dalai Lama. Spurred on by crippling uncertainty, they travel through Native American reservations, roadside diners, casinos, homes of broken families, and more. Otto's underlying depression and grief is unearthed during his search for "the tonic for lardy middle-aged discouragement." Merullo masterfully depicts the struggles of practicing mindfulness moment by moment; Otto is not perfect and succumbs to self-defeating thoughts frequently, but it is his effort to learn and improve that serves as a powerful model. Merullo asks readers to be compassionate and conscious in a world of suffering, where following the road map of predictability does not give the best or even the most obvious answers. Otto and Rinpoche learn to "scrape the jadedness" from their habitual reactions in order to be present for themselves and for the world. Merullo's novel is full of nuanced, thoughtful prose and is an immensely satisfying conclusion to the series. Agent: Marly Rusoff, Marly Rusoff Literary Agency.