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)

All of it - wonderfully written and narrated 💕 So easy to listen to and follow along - very moving.

I liked everything! There was nothing unlikable. The whole only thing was that I didn’t want it to end. 😊

Very centering

Very helpful to reenter yourself. I found the lessons taught to be very interesting because it was done in the story antidotally and that really helps get the point across and retain the point. You don’t want to be the philosopher in the story… Also the glass of water analogy is wonderful, and I will never forget it.

A Must-Listen!

I will not lie. It started off rough. The first half an 10-15 minutes didn't grab me, but once they set on the road...WOW!!! I couldn't stop listening to it. Sean Runnette did an amazing job with Rinpoche. And Roland Merullo made me laugh, made me think, and came close to making me cry. I actually think I might have shed a tear. It was wonderful. If you are open enough to have come this far, go for it. You WILL enjoy it...after the first 10-15 minutes. c:

better than expected

I bought this audiobook not knowing what it was. Fiction? A prayer book? Religious book? I admit I struggled starting the book but I soon became hooked. I have had the same issues with religion as the main character. it is important to note that a good or great life can become so much more fulfilling.

An Open Mind is a Happier Mind

I loved the tension between Otto and Rinpoche, or rather the tension Otto feels toward new ideas and an unknown personality. His Western skepticism is logical. How else could one distinguish the authentic from the charlatan? One can't accept everyone who professes to be a teacher, nor even accept all of the ideas that a great teacher might espouse. But it's a fascinating study of how Rinpoche, a duck-out-of-water who lacks social skills (by Western standards) breaks down the defenses of Otto's rigid thinking and steers his adversary toward, if not enlightenment, at least toward a more open minded exploration of existence. The common decency displayed in the bowling alley scene actually had tears streaming down my face.

Unexpected, wonderful, funny, touching

I considered reading this book many times but passed it by, thinking it didn't sound quite like the type of novel I prefer. Boy, am I glad I gave it a try. The story is so unexpected. I never had a clue as to what might happen next.

A man is conned by his free-spirited younger sister to give her friend, a Buddhist monk, a lift as he travels to North Dakota to settle their parent's estate. What happens along the way is one enjoyable road trip. At times funny, at times serious and sometimes very moving. While the story is not an attempt to convert you to Buddhism, it does make you think about how you view the world.

This book is the first of 3. You can read it as a stand-alone novel, but you won't be able to resist reading the final two books in this short series.

Brilliant and great Fun.

Was so surprised by this book. I wasn't expecting to be carried away by it, but I was. I found myself creating bookmarks; fourteen of them to be exact. I am an atheist with a strong belief in love. I can't bear "religion" and the horrors that the have been rendered in its name. Breakfast With Buddha is a lovely fairytale, a wonderfully written and narrated morality play. It makes one feel good and I loved it.

Fiction that will change your way of thinking

It started out a little slow, but by the time they were on the road, I was hooked. It may be fiction, but it definitely makes you think about your beliefs and life choices.
The narrator was excellent. His Russian accent added to the story. I absolutely loved this book.

Wonderful

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I have been looking for answers to many of life's questions, and this book help me to realize that the answers are right there in front of me. I need to just stop and look. The book is very well written and the story line is wonderful. I found that I could not stop listening, the narrator does a great job of keeping the carrot just out of reach, just long enough to keep you reading, and then they give you the carrot and it is good.

This book allows one to see the many possibilities that are out there if one opens the mind and takes a good look. It is not preachy,nor does it try to convince the reader that one religion is better than another, it simply demonstrates the opportunities that surround us all.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Breakfast with Buddha?

I have to say the ending of the book really spoke volumes for me. I will not tell you why, it would ruin it for you. Lets just say that it brought it all together.

What does Sean Runnette bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I enjoyed the impersonation of the Monk, and the joy in which he experinced America. From bowling to gambling, the narrator does it very very well.

If you could take any character from Breakfast with Buddha out to dinner, who would it be and why?

It would have to be Volvo Riponche, if I had such an opportunity I would not hesitate for a moment. To have someone of such insight and peace would be a wonderful experience. I could imagine having similar conflicts with myself and his beliefs, and I would also like to come away more enlightened like Otto does.

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend this to anyone who is looking for answers to the meaning of life. You must have an open mind and a yearning for insight into the world of possibilities that none of us truly know for sure when it comes to the mystery of our existence.
I finished this book with a smile on my face. :)

You won't be disappointed

Great story. Something for everyone. Even if we aren't evil we can all learn to be a little more calm