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From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. Eastern philosophy popularizer and mind-body pioneer Chopra has done novels before, and critics have not found fiction his long suit. That should change with this tale of how the Indian prince Siddhartha came to be the enlightened one, the Buddha. The subject is tailor-made for Chopra. He can draw on what he's familiar with: the ancient Indian culture that shaped the historic personage of the Buddha, and the powers of mind that meditation harnesses. Although the novel begins a little slowly with exposition and character introduction, once the character of the Buddha is old enough to occupy center stage, Chopra simply portrays the natural internal conflict experienced by any human seeking spiritual wisdom and transformation. Centered on a single character, the narrative moves forward simply and inexorably. Especially imaginative and intriguing is the low-key nature of the Buddha's enlightenment experience. In case Chopra's fans want something more direct, an epilogue and concluding "practical guide" offer nonfiction commentary and teaching on core Buddhist principles. Chopra thanks a film director friend for sparking the project, and the novel has clear cinematic potential. This fast and easy-to-read book teaches without being didactic. Chopra scores a fiction winner. (May)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Booklist
Chopra is best known for his spiritual how-to books. Here, he turns to fiction (though he adds a how-to epilogue), writing about the life of Prince Siddhartha, who became the Buddha. Chopra divides his book into three parts. The first chronicles the youth of a motherless boy who has a destiny: to be a spiritual leader as foretold by astronomers at his birth. But his powerful father refuses to bow to fate and keeps his son isolated from the world. In the second part, Siddhartha, now a husband and father, sees suffering and decides to leave his life of leisure and become a monk. Despite extreme asceticism and a duel with a demon, enlightenment eludes him. In the final section, Siddhartha sees the error of trying to defeat his body and, in one night, achieves enlightenment and becomes the Buddha. The Buddha's story is compelling, and though Chopra's writing can be overly dramatic and his language flowery, he captures the essence of the spiritual seeker, sometimes shockingly single-minded in the pursuit of illumination. When the novel ends, the explanations begin, with Chopra providing a Q and A about the tenets of Buddhism. Many will find his "answers" as enigmatic as they are enlightening. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
a lovely tale,
By mocha (vancouver) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Buddha (Paperback)
Deepak Chopra has made the story of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha accessible to all ages through this novel. For those of you that know the story of Siddhartha through Herman Hesse or others, there is nothing new here, but this novel is very easy to read. Older children may enjoy the story as a kind of adventure of a man who gives up his princely power and trappings and sets out to see what lies beyond the safety of his palace walls. My favourite part of the book is actually the Epilogue and "The Art of Non-Doing" that Chopra chose to add to the back. Of course, I also thoroughly enjoyed my winding journey through jungles and the mountains with Siddhartha, the people he meets along the way, etc. The novel can be read on two levels -- as an adventure story set in another time and place with tricksters, magic, trials between good and evil, and as one man's very human journey toward enlightenment. Either way, it's a lovely tale.
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good narrative,
By
This review is from: Buddha: A Story of Enlightenment (Hardcover)
Unlike what you might think, this book is more of a fictional / novel account of Buddha's life; rather than trying to be completely factual. As a story it's quite good; readable; and doesn't contain too much spiritual or superhuman nonsense. It imparts a believable explanation to how buddha may have reached his enlightment; and in doing so - taught me some valuable concepts.This is a good read if you're new to Buddhism as well as looking for a good story.
6 of 9 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dr. Chopra has done it once again,
By Joshua Spencer (Toronto, Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Buddha: A Story of Enlightenment (Hardcover)
Dr. Chopra has done it once again. As a great promoter of alternative medicine, he has done a great job in spreading that message in this book. He speaks of "quantum mechanical human body." He argues that "by treating the underlying quantum mechanical body itself, Ayurveda can bring about changes far beyond the reach of conventional medicine, confined as it is to the level of gross physiology. A good read for everyone!Some other great reading materials for the holiday season: Fluctuating Life Quest for a Dream: A Life Committed to Progress Let's Talk Africa and More
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