Who: Roland Merullo
What: Breakfast with Buddha (first in his Buddha series)
When: Contemporary
Where: A road trip from New York City to North Dakota
Why: I had read Merullo’s debut novel, Leaving Losapas, which I enjoyed, but reading Buddha gave me chills. Buddha isn’t a horror novel; quite the opposite, as his main character has many of the same thoughts and feeling that I have, and I am neither a serial killer nor a wraith!
Otto, the main character in the novel, reluctantly takes his sister’s spiritual adviser, Rimpoche, along on his cross-country trip to settle his late parents’ affairs in North Dakota. As I read, I was experiencing the theme of the song “Killing Me Softly” in real life. I repeatedly turned to Kevin and read a sentence or paragraph which mirrored subjects we had discussed, almost as though Merullo eavesdropped on our conversations.
Merullo has published over twenty-five novels, and he has a genuine talent for weaving “life lessons” into his prose. His stories delicately display the frailties of humanity and the kindness and generosity of spirit we should strive for. There are sad moments and joyful ones, too.
In Buddha, I saw myself in both the main character, Otto, and in his traveling companion, Rimpoche. I know the struggles Otto faces, striving to be a good person but stymied by human emotions such as frustration. I long to have the patience and tranquility that Rimpoche exemplifies.
Even more, I want to write stories that touch readers’ souls and stir their emotions. Merullo’s writing is very inspirational to me.
This book is an excellent choice during these turbulent times, when both sides of the political spectrum would like to “other” the opposite side. Reading this story warms the soul like a hug from a grandparent, and imagines the best of human nature. It’s a verbal drink of cool water for a parched America.