Amazon.com
Daniel Mason's debut novel, The Piano Tuner, is the mesmerizing story of Edgar Drake, commissioned by the British War Office in 1886 to travel to hostile Burma to repair a rare Erard grand piano vital to the Crown's strategic interests. Eccentric Surgeon-Major Anthony Carroll has brokered peace with local warlords primarily through music, a free medical clinic, and the "powers" of common scientific instruments, much to the dismay of warmongering officers suspect of such unorthodox methods. Drake is an introspective, well-mannered soul who, once there, falls in love with Burma and stays long past the piano-fixing to aid Carroll's political agenda. Drake's arduous journey to reach the outpost, however, takes far too long (nearly half the book) and the plotting is rather heavy-handed at times (one night, Drake learns of a mysterious "Man with One Story" who rarely speaks, and the very next morning the Man tells all to Drake). The story is ambitious, the language florid and sure to please, but the dialogue and melodrama are sometimes tedious. While out on the town with Carroll's love interest, Khin Myo (who enchants Drake), Mason offers the townspersons' view of Drake:
It is only natural that a guest be treated with hospitality, the quiet man who has come to mend the singing elephant is shy, and walks with the posture of one who is unsure of the world, we too would keep him company to make him feel welcome, but we do not speak English.... They say he is one of the kind of men who has dreams, but tells no one.
Drake's complexity is thin; perhaps the beauty of Burma takes over any real need for introspection. Despite these quibbles, The Piano Tuner is a memorable achievement. --Michael Ferch
Book Description
In 1886 a shy, middle-aged piano tuner named Edgar Drake receives an unusual commission from the British War Office: to travel to the remote jungles of northeast Burma and there repair a rare piano belonging to an eccentric army surgeon who has proven mysteriously indispensable to the imperial design. From this irresistible beginning,
The Piano Tuner launches its protagonist into a world of seductive loveliness and nightmarish intrigue. And as he follows Drake’s journey, Mason dazzles readers with his erudition, moves them with his vibrantly rendered characters, and enmeshes them in the unbreakable spell of his storytelling.
Customer Reviews:
Shimmering novel of war and discontent........2007-10-10
Another book I've thoroughly enjoyed, eschewing other books and opportunities to read it in only two days.
Edgar Drake, a British piano tuner, is commissioned by the War Office to travel into the heart of India's jungle in order to repair an eclectic Surgeon's piano.
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That was my original review of this novel. It doesn't even begin to cover what I want to say, so I'm expounding on my original thoughts.
True, Edgar Drake is a thin man commissioned by the London military for service in the heart of India. He chooses to leave his wife for the duration of one year in order to make a fair sum of money doing what he does best, repairing and tuning an Erard piano, in which he specializes.
The brilliance and nuances of Daniel Mason's book come through in each passage. He describles the cultures in India, the towns, the way the British react to the Indian people and vice versa. I can't even tell you how simply and movingly he captures the inner workings of the main characters, their thoughts and longings, their cunning and secrets. So many levels wrap themselves around you as you read this novel. You are in a different world as you move through it and as it moves through you. You will be changed at the end. If you aren't, I wonder who you were that cannot be touched by this story.
Personally, I was most moved by Drake's description of how he tuned the Erard. You'll forgive the pun, I hope, but it did strike a chord in me that relates to my own life and directions and choices.
However, it is not an easy story to read. You want to discover a clear hero and there is none. You want an obvious villian. Again, not going to find it. It is a complex story, rich with life and history of another country.
Do read it. And then share it with as many people as you can find.
One of our best young writers.......2007-07-19
I loved Daniel Mason's A FAR COUNTRY, and due to several recommendations from Amazon reviewers I thought I'd try THE PIANO TUNER, his first novel.
I was most impressed with the author's curiosity as a person and his intelligence. He spent a year studying malaria on the Thai-Myanmar border while at the same time working on this book. Mason imbues Edgar Drake, the protagonist, with much of what he learned. For instance, the native Shan people believed in divinations: "omens from the sky, the omens of flying birds, the omens of feeding fowl, and the movements of four-footed beasts . . . . one must look for augury in the eggs of hens, in the swarming of bees, and not only if but also where a lizard, rat, or spider drops on one's body."
When Drake arrives in Mandalay he is exposed to Burmese street theater known as "pwe." He is especially impressed by "yokthe pwe," or puppet theater. Some of the "pwes" tell stories of the Buddha's lives, one of which has Nemi, one of the Buddha's incarnations, visit heaven and hell.
The main story involves Drake's commission to tune Surgeon-Major Anthony Carroll's Erard grand piano. Carroll is integral in British negotiations with the Shan peoples. Carroll is a complex man who uses music in his efforts to placate the Shan. Drake falls in love with the place and finds himself reluctant to leave. There is also a romance of sorts with Carroll's female assistant.
Once again Mason shows his impressive craftsmanship, working piano tuning into the narrative. Drake is very attuned to his senses. He hears music in everything, including swarms of mosquitoes. Mason also uses an actual historical incident when the British were trying to subjugate the Burmese people. The Limbin Confederacy of Burmese princes fought back, as did brigand Twet Nga Lu. As you will see in the denouement, it's not clear on whose side Surgeon-Major Carroll really was.
I cannot recommend Daniel Mason highly enough. The man is one of our most skilled young writers. Here he describes the music in the laughter of children playing in the water: "I feel both a tremendous sadness and a joy, a wanting, a welling from within me, something
ecstatic . . . .it rises in my chest like water from a well, and I swallow and my eyes brim with tears as if I will overflow."
I don't think I've ever read a writer with so much profound respect for other cultures.
This book and all the publicity around it is a SHAM.......2007-05-24
I just finished THE PIANO TUNER and honestly, I wish I could have that time back. Oh that I had spent it with a book worthy of reading! I kept plugging away because of all the good publicity around it, but really, this book is a cheap copy of HEART OF DARKNESS with thin cardboard characters, a love story that doesn't work, and a premise ripped off from a famous book that pretty much everyone who would read this book has already read. Don't waste your time with this sham of a novel.
A lovely metal odysse, but ultimately, a little disappointing.......2007-02-07
I agree with other reviewers that the book paints a wonderful visual/conceptual image of travel across India and SE Asia in the late 1800s. I found the situations somewhat, and delightfully mysterious - a military man in the jungles of Burma putting the British army over a barrel for the sake of his own musical indulgence, first by insisting on the delivery of a piano, and then the delivery of a man to fix and tune it.
The action kept my interest, and there was what seemed like a good bit of symbolism, but either much of the symbolism was lost on me, or it was never explained. For example, the curious question of the little temple at which the mysterious Khin Myo stops on route to the fort from Rangoon. Since the point was made in the book, I thought certainly that it would be explained or expanded on later in the story, but it never really was. The curious "man with one story" was the biggest mystery for me. I kept thinking that the one story would have a large bearing on the tale, and actually thought it did - allegorically representing the piano tuner's own later experience - until late in the book, when Doctor Carroll comments on the veracity of the story - throwing its meaning into greater obscurity for me.
The book is a very enjoyable armchair journey through time and across geography. I enjoyed the characters - the interplay between them and events surrounding them held my interest throughout the book, always driving me to the next page. But ultimately, I didn't find the book satisfying, because I felt like I just didn't understand so much of what really had happened (perhaps the same predicament of the piano tuner himself).
I suppose that a good book should leave meaning and interpretation to the reader. But like others, I found the ending a chaotic rush of new questions that were not subsequently fleshed out enough for me to come to my own conclusions about what happened to the piano tuner, or exactly what it meant.
Except that taking a chance, and embarking on an unplanned journey to the unknown might awaken passions that could change your life, and maybe even your understanding of the meaning of life.
In that respect, maybe I liked it a lot.
Breathtaking.......2007-02-02
This original and simple story is one of the most beautiful and engaging books I've ever read. Not only is the plot line different, the subject of British colonies in Burma is not one often touched upon. After reading the first chapter I was hooked simply by the strangeness of it.
It starts with a simple piano tuner from late 19th century London, Edgar Drake, who receives a strange commission to travel to the jungles of Burma to repair a priceless Erard piano. Through beautiful description, David Mason takes us on the boats and trains and has us meet strangers with their own compelling stories through the middle aged man, Edgar Drake. We are allowed a look into the British colonies in Burma and the lives of the natives. We meeet the eccentric and indespensible army surgeon, Anthony Carrol, who is the owner of the piano. The novel takes many twists and turns, though the story is quite simple. David Mason's description allowed me to perfectly picture the jungles and people of Burma in 1886. When I think now of the novel, I feel as if I watched a movie instead of reading a book because the images are so clear in my head.
The curious ending of the novel also leaves its mark in your mind as you continue to wonder, even months after completing the book, what actually happened to Mr. Edgar Drake the piano tuner.
One of my favorite books of all time, I recommend it to anyone and everyone. Especially to those who enjoy history, drama, moving stories, beautiful writing, and exceptional characters.
Average customer rating:
- I very good collection of Ignacio Noe's Piano Tuner short stories
- Interesting art form
- The Piano Tuner
- Noe's the man
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Piano Tuner
Ignacio Noe
Manufacturer: Eurotica
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Customer Reviews:
I very good collection of Ignacio Noe's Piano Tuner short stories.......2007-03-22
First off, I knew going in that when I bought this adult graphic novel (more of a graphic short story collection) that I would be seeing some very explicit sexual situations the moment I opened it up. With that out of the way I will say that Noe's artwork never looked better in this book, Piano Tuner.
Piano Tuner collects a decent amount of short stories written and drawn by Spanish adult comic artist Ignacio Noe. All of the entries in this collection have already been published in the Spanish Adult Comic monthly magazine, KISS. Unless one was fluent in reading Spanish, one had to wait until NBM Publishing translated the work from Spanish to English and released it under their Eurotica Adult Graphic novel department. This particular book has complete translation which actually makes sense unlike other foreign books which have been translated literally from the original language to English with cultural nuances losing alot in the translation.
The short stories are drawn to the high-standards one expects from Ignacio Noe. He has a unique and original style of giving his women ample curves but at the same time keeping them sexy. The figures are not anatomically correct, but they're also not so overdone that they become complete caricatures. The stories are pretty much about the same piano tuner who goes from job to job where his original intent to work on the client's piano ultimately leads to him having sex with them. It's pretty much like Penthouse Forum Letters fare. Even though the premise for each story does get repetitive, Noe's writing keeps them funny in addition to sexy.
The book could've included more entries from Noe's Piano Tuner series and he has written and drawn enough to fill several books. The way this particular volume of Piano Tuner goes it's quite on the slim and small side. It's the only reason for the 4-stars instead of five. Now, NBM Publishing just needs to collate another collection of Piano tuner short stories and put them into another volume to be released. Until then i'll enjoy this particular Ignacio Noe graphic novel while I wait for the next.
Interesting art form.......2007-03-07
I decided to order this book because of its beautiful graphic on its cover and I expected certain level of erotic content in it. My book finally arrived today and I could not wait to take a look at its content. After a brief reading through, I found that it is not exactly what I expected both the story lines and the art work.
First the drawings. At first glance, it looks a more comical than I thought it should have. Mind you I was looking for something that look more realistic like Druuna type of art. However as I continued on with the book, it is appealing in its own way and I ended up enjoying the art work. The colour is well balanced and the pictures are clear and systematically presented.
The book do not contain one story but a few short stories or "encounters". The artist has quick an imagination on how much a dull piano can have on erotic encounters. The other than just sex, the stories are quite humourous and entertaining.Probably the only set back of this book is that its a little thin and I managed to finish it quite fast ( Although in my experience most of the erotic comics are of this thickness except for those from Milo Manara ).
The Piano Tuner.......2006-03-06
This book I rate minus zero. It contains extremely degrading sadistic text and illustrations through-out without any redeeming qualities.
Amazon should practice greater disclosure when it comes to presenting products with so much abusive content(perhaps a rating system) so those reasonable carefull in there selections do not purchase such dehumanizing content unknowingly. Greater and clearer discloser would benifit both the buyer and seller avoiding unecessary resentment as well as benifit society as a whole.
PS I not religously oriented and liberal in my viewpoints within limits.
Noe's the man.......2005-07-28
The Piano Tuner is another one of Ignacio Noe's work of pure (...) genius. His artistic touch and eye for detail for capturing expressions and the human anatomy in all it's glory is second to none. Sure, this is no great work of literature because the story line is virtually non-existent, but that's not the kind of entertainment these things are all about. The aim of this and his other books is white-hot sexual depictions, and as usual, Noe hits a bull's-eye. Now personally I though his Ship of Fools was better mainly because in Piano Tuner he uses a different style of coloring that leaves some of his pencil lines exposed, which I find to be a bit of a detraction. But overall this was a good sampling of Noe's work, and I look forward to his next offering.
Book Description
Kate Marburn thought her recovery from her former husband's betrayel was a new beginning. A quiet and controlled life as the gose gardener on the estate of Sarah Denbigh, a wealthy widow, seemed the perfect escape.
But when Sarah dies under mysterious circumstances, leaving Kate the unexpected heir to Sarah's vast fortune in Shaker furniture, the police suspect Kate might have had something to do with Sarah's death. Looking for a refuge again, Kate accepts a job as gardener at Shaker Run, a historic and once celibate Shaker village.
But something strange and deadly dangerous is going on beneath the flawless surface of the idyllic town. Kate's hoping Jake Kilcourse, the mysterious and rugged furniture builder who also lives at Shaker Run, can help her figure out what -- but is he only using her to pursue his own agenda?
Kate's dream job just might become her worst nightmare . . .
Customer Reviews:
Why ruin a good story with shoddy writing?.......2001-09-29
I was fascinated by the details of Shaker life--the customs, the lifestyle, the furniture. What spoiled it all was the unrealistic dialog of the characters. Their words were not realistic speech; the dialog was there to convey meaning, but one would never hear people speak in such a way. There was no discernible difference between the characters' speech. So often after a good author has a book sell well, she/he rushes to get the next one on the market without tending to the details that made the first one good. I fear this is what happened here. Too bad. I feel cheated, and probably won't buy anything by this author again.
Fascinating background! -- Highly recommended.......2001-05-19
Kate Marburn learned to protect herself carefully after the horrible disgrace that her ex-husband left behind. While he absconded with millions, Kate was left to face charges of fraud in court, plunging from Toledo's elite society to scandal. Her ex-husband also left behind a suicide note but no body, and a daughter whom Kate loves as if the teenager were her own. Making a new start as the rose gardener on the estate of Sarah Denbigh, a wealthy widow, Kate enjoys her new quite life.
Unfortunately, Kate again plunges into the murky world of lawsuits and fear when Sara dies under mysterious circumstances. Subsequently, Shaker Run, a village originally owned by the Shakers and now restored offers Kate a position as their rosarian. There she meets Jack Kilcourse, an expert on Shaker furniture and a gifted furniture builder. Jack's kisses are as dark as they are delicious. Despite not revealing anything about his past or hidden pain, Jack proves entirely too alluring. Little do Kate or Jack suspect the dangerous criminal element that will threaten both of their lives.
SHAKER RUN provides an intriguing look into America past, and while the creative license lends its own shading to the facts, the sparkling originality of the background proves tempting and fascinating. Shakers, as the author clearly states in her note, did not use hallucinogenic drugs, but the shading of history provides a remarkable background for fraud and murder. SHAKER RUN has a couple of distracting weaknesses. Despite defrauding his clients for millions, we never clearly learn what the antihero did with his money, or why he wants Kate's money. In addition, the daughter truly got on my nerves and I wanted to throttle her selfish ways. Nevertheless, SHAKER RUN is enormously entertaining and engaging. Highly recommended.
An enternaing reading experience.......2001-04-30
Two years ago Katherine and Mike Marburn were new kids swimming in the elite social pool of Toledo. That crumbled when the SEC decided Mike committed fraud. He swindled clients out of millions, vanished, leaving behind a suicide note, but no corpse. The furor reigned on Katherine who also was left with Mike's daughter from a previous marriage.
Kate takes a job as companion to the elderly Sarah Denbigh. However when Sarah mysteriously dies, the police feel Kate killed her because the senior citizen changed her will and left everything to Kate rather than her two own children. In the midst of her second public furor, Kate accepts a job at historical Shaker Run where she meets Jack Kilcourse. She quickly realizes that something is not right with her co-workers and soon turns to Jake, a person she is beginning to fall in love with, for help.
SHAKER RUN provides an engaging look at an interesting segment of American History. The story line is loaded with action, but a meander or two too many makes it difficult at times to follow. The lead characters are warm and will hook the reader early on, but Sarah's children especially her daughter is just too obnoxious to be real. Still, fans will enjoy Karen Harper's romantic suspense because Kate and Jack make wonderful romantic guides escorting the audience into a piece of Americana.
Harriet Klausner
Product Description
Large Print Edition of the novel, Shaker Run by Karen Harper (See for more information).
Product Description
Book is a fasciinating blend of Amish and modern ways. Book is new and in pristine condition aas is the DJ.
Product Description
Photo illustrated covers 10x10 paperbound perface introduction separate pull out map
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SHAKER RUN
Manufacturer: MIRA Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000I64H14 |
Book Description
“Within twenty-four standard hours we will sit firmly astride the communications link that connects the worlds of the Republic. . . . Our control will be a dagger thrust directly at Coruscant. This is the move that will win the war for us.”
With these ominous words, Pors Tonith, ruthless minion of Count Dooku, declares the fate of the Republic sealed. Commanding a Separatist invasion force more than one million strong, the cunning financier-turned-warrior lays siege to the planet Praesitlyn, home of the strategic intergalactic communications center that is key to the Republic’s survival in the Clone Wars. Left unchallenged, this decisive strike could indeed pave the way for the toppling of more Republic worlds . . . and ultimate victory for the Separatists. Retaliation must be swift and certain.
But engaging the enemy throughout the galaxy has already stretched Supreme Chancellor Palpatine’s armies to the limit. There is no choice but to move against the surging waves of invading battle-droids on Praesitlyn with only a small contingent of clone soldiers. Commanding them will be Jedi Master Nejaa Halcyon–hand-picked by the Council for the do-or-die mission. And at his side, skilled young starfighter pilot Anakin Skywalker, a promising young Jedi Padawan eager to be freed of the bonds of apprenticeship–and to be awarded the title of Jedi Knight.
Shoulder to shoulder with a rogue Republic army officer and his battle-hardened crew, a hulking Rondian mercenary with an insatiable taste for combat, and a duo of ready-for-anything soldiers, the Jedi generals take to the skies and the punishing desert terrain of occupied Praesitlyn–to bring the battle to the Separatist forces. Already outnumbered and outgunned, when confronted with an enemy ultimatum that could lead to the massacre of innocents, they may also be out of options. Unless Anakin Skywalker can strike a crucial balance between the wisdom born of the Force . . . and the instincts of a born warrior.
From the Hardcover edition.
Customer Reviews:
Could Have Been So Much Better.......2007-08-08
The battles were very cool but everything else could have been better. I was dying to see Anakin's Jedi Trial. To see what exactly a real Jedi trial is. But we don't get to see it even thought its all Anakin talks about. Obi Wan is sent on a mission without Anakin so Anakin gets a new master temporarily in Jedi Halcyon. I was very interested in seeing how this played out. Anakin having a master who wasn't Obi Wan and one who was a lot like him. Considered a maverick or wild card of the Jedi. They have a lot in common including having a love one even though its against of the Jedi Order. They would have made for an interesting team and yet they weren't. They were more boring then I ever could have thought.
This is the worst SW novel I've ever read........2007-05-27
This book has no redeeming qualities about it, whatsoever. Character development was horrible, and not believable. Don't waste your time on this book, it is the worst SW novel I've ever read (I've read close to 30)
Yuck...it kept getting worse, and worse, and worse..........2007-04-10
The Black Fleet Crisis was bad. The Cestus Deception was not outstanding. I found Triple Zero lacking (especially compared to the exceptional Hard Contact). The Jedi Quest series took almost the entire series to make the journey worthwhile. But all these books pale in comparison to what I would call the worst Star Wars book (I have read almost all of them except for the newest ones).
First off, Nejaa Halcyon was the biggest reason I started reading this book. I read of him in I, Jedi and longed to know more. I should have made up my own story since the authors don't really do much with him. He could have been any Jedi; there was nothing that made him exceptional.
Next, the authors have a weird view of what people want. They seem to think that we, the audience, would love to read pages of insignificant, brainless, unimportant characters with terrible names, strategy, and the like and not detail important things like Anakin and Nejaa's marriages (the whole interchange, which could have lasted half a chapter with Michael Stackpole as the author, takes up half a page), lightsaber battles, and real character development.
Other pet peeves:
1. I was unimpressed with the juvenile writing style.
2. I could care less for the whole mercenary angle and the Rodian mercenary (both of whom did not stay consistent throughout the story). They felt like blank characters with not much depth.
3. Odi and Erk, Erk and Odi, them getting married...gag me! Please! I groaned when I read "And now by the powers vested in me..." at the end! How could anyone end a Star Wars novel in such a hokey marriage. I would have omitted their entire story from this novel and given that time to Anakin and Nejaa.
4. Asajj Ventress on the cover and not in the book (to my knowledge).
5. Super motherly woman who is about to die. And she reminds Anakin of Shmi. Do I sense a billboard or something?
6. Ponith, the scary banker with purple teeth from all that tea he drinks. And we are supposed to fear him why?
7. I never really believe the whole mission was important. If this station was so important to interstellar communications, how did this happen in the first place?
Just so I don't sound too negative, the end picked up a bit. The action was a bit better. Also, some inclusion of clone troopers (but nothing compared to Hard Contact).
7.99 is about 7.98 too much for this book. Buy used or borrow. In fact, don't bother. Just skip. Watch the Clone Wars animated shorts for Anakin's real trial. And spend the 7.99 on Hard Contact for a much better Clone Wars novel.
Jedi Trial.......2007-03-29
This is an excellent book. Anakin truly becomes a Jedi in this book! A must read for any Star Wars Fan!
Why all the bad reviews?.......2007-03-20
Unlike the majority of reviwers of this novel I thought it was well written and worthy of recognition in the Star Wars expanded universe. I am a long time fan of all things Star Wars and was apprehensive - because of the reviews I'd read - when I started to read this novel but I was pleasantly suprised. The authors have done a good job in my opninion of taking existing characters and moulding them into toughened Generals we see in the film. The transition of Anakin Skywalker as an impatient padawan to the leader of a platoon was skillfully written. I advise anyone interested in Star Wars to grab a copy of this book.
Book Description
Merciless attacks by an invincible alien force have left the New Republic reeling. Dozens of worlds have succumbed to occupation or annihilation, and even the Jedi Knights have tasted defeat. In these darkest of times, the noble Chewbacca is laid to rest, having died as heroically as he lived--and a grief-stricken Han Solo is left to fit the pieces of his shattered soul back together before he loses everything: friends, family, and faith.
Refusing help from Leia or Luke, Han becomes the loner he once was, seeking to escape the pain of his partner's death in adventure . . . and revenge. When he learns that an old friend from his smuggling days is operating as a mercenary for the enemy, he sets out to expose the traitor. But Han's investigation uncovers an even greater evil: a sinister conspiracy aimed at the very heart of the New Republic's will and ability to fight--the Jedi.
Now Han must face down his inner demons and, with the help of a new and unexpected ally, honor Chewbacca's sacrifice in the only way that matters--by being worthy of it.
Book Description
Sculpted to look like a tiny lightsaber, an exclusive custom-designed pen (blisterpacked to the cover of our challenging quiz book) will make this title an instant hit. Fans will not be able to buy this one-of-a-kind pen anywhere else! And it comes in three different collectible colors! Trivia inside tests fan knowledge of the Jedi. Your score will determine your level: Are you a Jedi Apprentice, a Jedi Knight, or a Jedi Master?
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Agents of Chaos I: Hero's Trial (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 4)
James Luceno , and
Anthony Heald
Manufacturer: Amazon Remainders Account
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Binding: Audio Cassette
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Star Wars: Jedi Trial: A Clone Wars Novel
David Sherman Dan Cragg
Manufacturer: Del Rey
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Customer Reviews:
Pretty darn special.......2007-07-13
When I purchased this book online about a year ago, I had no idea what a gift it would be. I was curious about Zen, but hadn't incorporated it into my life quite yet. I read pieces of the book here and there, and I soon realized there was something really incredible about it. It seemed like no matter what I was going through in life, reading only a few pages would "speak" to me incredibly. It feels like this book was written just for me, and I believe that chances are you will feel the same way when you read it for yourself. The book is so excellent that I decided to purchase it for my friend. Finally today I have finished this book, and I can't wait to read it again.
This book is very down to earth. Compassionate, but brutally honest. If you will open your mind and heart, this book will guide you in transforming your "small mind" into "big mind." I would say this book is equivalent to a Christian devotional. Definitely won't hurt to read one short chapter everyday. This book will continue giving, and perhaps you will too. :)
An Ok read........2007-01-11
An Ok read - nothing special. There are no answers for life in this book, just guidance for sitting.
A book about reality.......2006-10-25
I purchased this book about 5 years ago and it has certainly changed my life. I keep it on hand daily, and turn to it when I find myself getting carried away with the "pressures" of life in modern America. Joko's words keep me grounded and remind me that none of the problems I experience are real - what is real is the experience of the moment. It's a lot easier to understand this than to do it on a regular basis, but at least there's a guide when the way seems lost.
This was my first (and favorite) book on Zen Buddhism and I can recommend it to anyone who wants to better understand what is really going on in our heads. It can be hard to accept if you're not ready, but following Joko's teachings has gotten me out of the Rat Race for good.
Lastly, I could not disagree more with the reviewer who gave it one star and only liked the first story. This book is full of great metaphors for understanding what Living Zen (real life) is all about.
Beck at her best, as always.......2006-08-14
I read "Everyday Zen" several times and loved it. Recently saw this book on the shelf, bought it immediately and was not disappointed.
I am not sure where one of the previous reviewers got the notion that there are no teachings in Zen. The very history of it is based on names of teachers, starting with Buddha. Rinzai, Boddhidharma, Suzuki - these are just a few that come to mind. Well, Beck is another name for that list.
And yes, it requires years of practice to get an undertanding. And even after years and years of sitting, old techers will tell you that they are just beginners in Zen.
Go figure... Or just sit...
A Helpful Teaching.......2006-03-03
For years I was obsessed with Zen books. However, it wasn't until I came across Joko's books that I encountered the radical suggestion: OUR LIFE IS OUR PRACTICE!!! It was a real eye opener. I reread "Everyday Zen" three or four time in a row. My teachers in Rochester were pretty unimpressed; they thought that Joko was for people "who weren't ready for Zen." (One of them really did say that!) I thought otherwise; her work addressed the disconnect between a practice created for those in monasteries and the "self-centered dream" of our lives. It baffled me that people would be having "openings" in the Zendo and then treat their family like dirt after a retreat. She taught that working with our family "issues" (noticing our thoughts and resting in our physical experience) was not something separate from our practice on the cushions in the meditation hall. No duality.
I ended up working with Joko for about five years. She was (and is) every bit as remarkable in real life as she was in her book. There isn't a lot of drama in this practice. Our life becomes less of a soap opera and becomes more mundane. From that ordinariness emerge joy, compassion, love and all of the other aspects of our true nature. You might have fewer of the kind of lightening bolts of a traditional practice. Instead, you will have a grounded life that brings peace rather than pain into this world.
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La Vida Tal Como Es / Nothing Special, Living Zen
Charlotte Joko , and
Steve Smith
Manufacturer: Grupo Editorial Norma
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Binding: Paperback
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- The Summer Guest
- The True Darcy Spirit: A Novel
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- Those Who Save Us
- Tlingit, Their Art, Culture, and Legends
- Tony Hillerman: The Leaphorn & Chee Novels: Skinwalkers, A Thief of Time, Coyote Waits
- Too Far to Go
- Ulterior Motives (Sun Coast Chronicles Series #3)
Books Index
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