Dinner with Buddha - Hardcover

With six unconventionally religious novels to date, this brave, meditative author has carved a unique niche in American literature. "Kirkus Reviews," starred review Merullo masterfully depicts the struggles of practicing mindfulness moment by moment . . . [The] novel is full of nuanced, thoughtful prose and is an immensely satisfying conclusion to the series. "Publishers Weekly""

Diners, truck stops, Indian reservations, national landmarks, Las Vegas--all lead the duo down the road to both prayerful seeking and hilarious adventure. Otto's first-person narration lends a memoir-like tone, and references to current events (Pope Francis, the 2016 election, fracking) offer a sense of immediacy. Likable Otto and wise Rinpochet lead readers on a thoughtful and memorable journey. Shelf Awareness for Readers, starred review

With six unconventionally religious novels to date, this brave, meditative author has carved a unique niche in American literature. Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Merullo offers keen insight into and intelligent assessments of modern American life, but it is his compassionate portrait of a grieving Otto in search of inner tranquility that is most affecting. Booklist

Merullo masterfully depicts the struggles of practicing mindfulness moment by moment . . . [the] novel is full of nuanced, thoughtful prose and is an immensely satisfying conclusion to the series. Publishers Weekly

Otto is such a full human, which is why we can empathize with his questions and immerse ourselves in his experiences. In the end, we are all humanized by the spiritual journey of Dinner with Buddda. Spirituality and Practice

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"Diners, truck stops, Indian reservations, national landmarks, Las Vegas--all lead the duo down the road to both prayerful seeking and hilarious adventure. Otto's first-person narration lends a memoir-like tone, and references to current events (Pope Francis, the 2016 election, fracking) offer a sense of immediacy. Likable Otto and wise Rinpochet lead readers on a thoughtful and memorable journey." --Shelf Awareness for Readers, starred review

"With six unconventionally religious novels to date, this brave, meditative author has carved a unique niche in American literature." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Merullo offers keen insight into and intelligent assessments of modern American life, but it is his compassionate portrait of a grieving Otto in search of inner tranquility that is most affecting." --Booklist

"Merullo masterfully depicts the struggles of practicing mindfulness moment by moment . . . [the] novel is full of nuanced, thoughtful prose and is an immensely satisfying conclusion to the series."--Publishers Weekly

"Otto is such a full human, which is why we can empathize with his questions and immerse ourselves in his experiences. In the end, we are all humanized by the spiritual journey of Dinner with Buddda." --Spirituality and Practice

If life is a journey--with detours, paths from which to choose, and myriad roadblocks to overcome--then Otto Ringling is most certainly on
the journey of a lifetime.  

The first fifty or so years of Otto's journey were pretty good. He felt he had it all until one day he didn’t.

Looking for answers, he calls on his enlightened brother-in-law, Volya Rinpoche, a wise man with Russian roots, a Tibetan heritage, and an international reputation as a spiritual teacher. The two men first got to know each other on a journey years before, during which they explored both the real and spiritual aspects of the world around them. Now Otto needs his brother-in-law’s wisdom once more, and this time it turns out that Rinpoche himself is also looking for guidance.

They embark on a road trip over highways and back roads across the middle of America, hoping to sort out what’s troubling them. They encounter a diverse cast of characters along the way as they look for answers to life’s mysteries.

With its highs and lows, their trip is, of course, a metaphor for life’s larger journey. But it is also a lesson in love and gratitude.The two travelers peer beneath the surface of things to seek a deeper purpose. Luckily, for them and for us, we never know what’s waiting around the next bend in the road.

“We, like Otto, find our cynicism worn away by Rinpoche’s gentle instruction in the simple but terribly difficult art of letting go, living each moment to the fullest, seeing the sacred in the everyday . . . This brave, meditative author has carved a unique niche in American literature.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review