Roland Merullo crea una prosa che scava nelle profonde questioni umane con una voce distintiva. Il suo lavoro è caratterizzato da acute intuizioni sulla natura dei suoi personaggi e sulle loro vite interiori. Merullo esplora frequentemente temi di spiritualità, la ricerca di significato e le complessità della connessione umana. Intreccia magistralmente considerazioni filosofiche in narrazioni avvincenti, attirando lettori che cercano profondità nelle loro esperienze letterarie.
Exploring personal growth, the author delves into his spiritual, intellectual, and emotional journey, reflecting on his relationship with his father and the contrasts of his working-class roots and upper-class education. He shares insights from the early years of his marriage and the profound impact of parenthood, weaving together themes of family, identity, and the transformative power of love.
Otto Ringling embarks on a transformative journey after experiencing a profound life change that challenges his previously comfortable existence. As he navigates unexpected detours and obstacles, he confronts the realities of his choices and the essence of fulfillment. This exploration delves into themes of self-discovery and resilience, illustrating how life's unpredictable nature can lead to personal growth and new perspectives.
A family's dynamics are tested as they come together to support a wayward son, while a long-buried secret resurfaces, impacting each member. Celebrated as one of the Top 100 Essential New England Books by "The Boston Globe," this novel is praised by Richard Russo for its ambition, emotional depth, and masterful storytelling. With 322 pages, it delves into themes of loyalty, family ties, and the complexities of personal histories.
The journey of two brothers-in-law, Otto and Volya Rinpoche, unfolds as they travel from Seattle to a family farm in North Dakota in a rickety pickup. This road trip serves as a transformative experience for Otto, an editor of food books, guided by the spiritual wisdom of Volya Rinpoche. Throughout their travels, they encounter various situations designed to help Otto achieve a deeper sense of peace and understanding.
From the bestselling author of From These Broken Streets comes a sweeping novel of love, resistance, and courage set against the backdrop of WWII Italy. Italy, 1943. The seeds of terror planted by Hitler have brought Allied forces to Italian soil. Young lovers separated by war--one near a Tuscan hill town, the other a soldier on the Sicilian front--will meet any challenge to reunite. Vittoria SanAntonio, the daughter of a prosperous vineyard owner, is caught in a web of family secrets. Defying her domineering father, she has fallen for humble vineyard keeper Carlo Conte. When Carlo is conscripted into Mussolini's army, it sets a fire in Vittoria, and she joins the resistance. As the Nazi war machine encroaches, Vittoria is drawn into dangers as unknowable as those faced by the man she loves. Badly wounded on the first day of the invasion, Carlo regains consciousness on a farm in Sicily. Nursed back to health by a kind family there, he embarks on an arduous journey north through his ravaged homeland. For Carlo and Vittoria, as wartime threats mount and their paths diverge, what lies ahead will test their courage as never before.
"Italy, 1943. The Nazi occupation has cemented its grip on the devastated city of Naples. Giuseppe DiPietra, a curator in the National Archives, has a subversive plan to aid the Allies. If he's discovered, forced labor or swift execution. Lucia Pastone, secretary for the Italian Fascist government, is risking her own life in secret defiance of orders. And Lucia's father, Aldo, is a black marketeer who draws Giuseppe and Lucia into the underworld--for their protection and to help plant the seeds of resistance. Their fates are soon intertwined with those of Aldo's devoted lover and a boy of the streets who'll do anything to live another day. And all of Naples is about to join forces to overcome impossible odds and repel the Nazi occupiers"--
The story follows Otto Ringling, a conventional publishing executive who seems to have it all but feels an emptiness in his life. His journey takes an unexpected turn when he finds himself traveling across Middle America with a mysterious Mongolian monk. This adventure prompts Otto to confront his life choices and explore deeper questions about fulfillment and purpose.
Set against the backdrop of a tiny Pacific atoll, the story follows Leo Markin, a Vietnam veteran struggling to reintegrate into American life after the war. Despite finding solace and love among the islanders, his return home reveals painful truths: an estranged relationship with his father, a fiancée trapped in an abusive marriage, and a sense of alienation from old friends. Ultimately, a violent incident propels Leo to choose the peaceful life of Losapas, leading him to leave his inheritance to his fiancée, urging her to escape, and return to the island he loves.
In this engaging road trip narrative, the eccentric, sort-of-Buddhist monk Volya Rinpoche and his skeptical brother-in-law Otto Ringling embark on another enlightening journey, this time along the Eastern Seaboard from Boston to the South. Following their previous adventures, they encounter a diverse cast of characters, including a former NBA star, a Holocaust survivor, an A.M.E. preacher, a hedge fund executive, a Syrian refugee, and a homeless individual from North Carolina. As they tour famous American sights, their conversations delve into spirituality, captivating readers worldwide. Otto's family members—sister Cecelia, daughter Natasha, son Anthony, and niece Shelsa—play significant roles in this journey. The duo navigates both back roads and highways in a hybrid pickup, leading to a climactic finish that ties together their experiences. The author intended this installment to stand alone or complement the previous three novels, emphasizing themes of generosity and selflessness as an antidote to greed. Dessert with Buddha enriches the series like a delightful dessert enhances a meal, inviting readers to savor the journey and the meaningful connections made along the way. Enjoy the trip!
A road trip from Massachusetts to Arkansas takes a whimsical turn when Eddie Valpolicella picks up a hitchhiker claiming to be Jesus. Over five days, this enigmatic companion challenges Eddie's beliefs and perceptions of spirituality through playful tricks and profound conversations. As Eddie grapples with confusion and skepticism, he gradually receives valuable insights into living a meaningful life. The narrative blends humor with deep philosophical inquiries, encouraging readers to reflect on their own spirituality without being didactic.