Breakfast with Buddha

A Novel

By: Roland Merullo

Narrated by: Sean Runnette

Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2007 Roland Merullo (P)2011 Tantor

Critic reviews

"The skillful Merullo, using the lightest of touches, slowly turns this low-key comedy into a moving story of spiritual awakening." ( Booklist)

a thoughtful and often hilarious journey

This audiobook was a real pleasure--one I plan to come back to again and again. One reason is I love the performance as well as the voice of the reader, Sean Runette. I found it soothing yet compelling--you know, the type where you don't want to get out of your car and turn it off. Even at the end of the story, the characters rest with me--I have shared the better part of a week with Otto and his travelling companion and felt as if I was there with them.

The plot is simple enough---a middle aged man travelling from his home NY to his childhood home, to the heartland settle the estate of his parents who were killed suddenly. However there is a rhythm to the book, a progression across geography, cultures and the thoughts of Otto--flowing out at first in a rapid stream of consciousness that had a bent to describe, label and judge, and eventually coming to a place of peace, home and family---and something more-- an interior voyage, to find his own heart, breath and soul.

The entire concept of this book appealed to me, but I was afraid it would not be so digestible to my own middle aged husband. However, he really enjoyed this audio book as well. The rich imagery, descriptions of food so vivid that could almost taste it, and the humor....lots of humor appealed to my own Otto-like husband and will hopefully set him on a bit of a journey of his own.

As for me, it gave me a lot of food for thought. I adored the Rimposhe's perception of the "real" America, his kindness even when in adversity, in fact, I loved loved how "stress" was dealt with in this story. So much to love in this book.

Will this never end?

I'm on chapter 33 and I find myself skipping not only whole pages but entire chapters wondering when this is going to be over. It started with such promise and now we just been wandering around Wisconsin, lost, no end in sight.
I'll fight my way through a few more chapters but then I give up.

Made me think

It was a lovely story that I had trouble pulling myself away from. Made me think about life and how we behave and react affects our life and being. Closest I've been to pondering faith in a very long time.

Captured me

A wonderful, thought-provoking story that sticks with you. Loved the transformation of the main character and his humble account.

a bit tedious

What did you like best about Breakfast with Buddha? What did you like least?

my expectations for something enlightening

Any additional comments?

author is more interested in his own internal, un-evolved and uninteresting musings than actually learning, or sharing with us, anything from his passenger. I'm about half way through and not sure I can finish.

MAJOR Surprise

I don't know what it was that made me buy this book. I guess the answer is actually within this book. But I can say honestly that I am so sad that it's over. I could listen to this odyssey forever. Written with humor and wisdom and performed flawlessly, this story was a total joy to savor. My taste in books leans to Koontz, Patterson, Baldacci, etc. this was definitely not my style. I say this so that all of you with my same tastes don't turn away from this. It will be a major mistake if you do.

Well done

I heard the author in an interview on "The One You Feed"podcast. That peaked my curiosity and led me to download the book. The story and relationship between characters was wonderful, funny,inspiring and insightful.

Very Pleasantly Surprised!

I thought this book would be preachy, but I gave it a shot anyway. It's not preachy at all and yet it's still an eye opener. It makes me want to know more about the author.

Very good!

One of the more enjoyable books in quite a while. Very well done. This book made a difference in my life and helped me to take a step closer to becoming the kind person I aspire to live life. Highly recommend this book.

Easy listening story of feel good ideas

Nicely done story based on the idea that of "all beliefs are mostly right and pretty much agree so why argue about details?"

It's best at showing the transition of going from jaded skeptic to being
willing to consider the possibility there's more out there then just the physical world. Worth the listen if that's an interest for you.