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iamkristi74's review against another edition
5.0
Such a delightful book. Makes me grateful that I can just up and go where I want, when I want and without a lot of fuss. It also gives me new respect that all our leaders and people we look up to are just like everyone else they have fears and phobias but get up and put their pants on one leg at a time, (or in this case, robe one arm at a time). Even though the insights and thoughts in this book are nothing new, it still renews my faith that we can find the good in people no matter what their actions may be.
linwearcamenel's review
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
cameliarose's review
3.0
An enjoyable, humorous read, especially if you don't mind some religious talk - I don't, as long as it stays on philosophical level and not too zealous. Interesting - if not new - thoughts on current day European immigrates from Middle Eastern countries.
The story is based on a strange plot but the author delivered well - at least the Pope part. My only problem is that the voice of Dalai Lama does not feel authentic enough - his character is much more rich and complicate that what is portrayed in the book. Also he does not make too many grammar mistakes in English.
The story is based on a strange plot but the author delivered well - at least the Pope part. My only problem is that the voice of Dalai Lama does not feel authentic enough - his character is much more rich and complicate that what is portrayed in the book. Also he does not make too many grammar mistakes in English.
debnanceatreaderbuzz's review
2.0
The Pope and the Dalai Lama, along with the Pope's cousin and the cousin's estranged wife, head out on the road, in disguise, secretly, for an ordinary getaway.
The idea of it sounds so delightful, an opportunity for two leaders of two huge spiritual groups to talk together and share thoughts, perhaps become friends.
Instead, most of the story was about the cousin and his wife, separated, unable to get along. There were elements of the story that annoyed me, such as having both the Pope and the Dalai Lama having similar dreams, and a search for a saint. The author was critical of the ways of the Catholic Church while the Buddhist beliefs were seen as higher, as more spiritual. In that sense, a lot of the story felt like the author was trying to proselytize, and I never like that in a story.
For me, I'd rate the book somewhere between two and three stars.
The idea of it sounds so delightful, an opportunity for two leaders of two huge spiritual groups to talk together and share thoughts, perhaps become friends.
Instead, most of the story was about the cousin and his wife, separated, unable to get along. There were elements of the story that annoyed me, such as having both the Pope and the Dalai Lama having similar dreams, and a search for a saint. The author was critical of the ways of the Catholic Church while the Buddhist beliefs were seen as higher, as more spiritual. In that sense, a lot of the story felt like the author was trying to proselytize, and I never like that in a story.
For me, I'd rate the book somewhere between two and three stars.
caidyn's review
This review and others can be found on BW Book Reviews.
DNF at 25%
I had such high hopes for this book. Some sort of dialogue between Pope Francis and the Dalai Lama. Sure, it's fiction, but if someone does their research right about the religions and what each man actually has said to show their theology, then you've got a good book. Point out the similarities between the two religions while showing the differences. You have to have a happy medium between those two.
Not this book.
Basically, it has potential, but it was carried out in a way I wasn't impressed with. There are four characters in this book. Pope Francis, the Dalai Lama, and two fictional ones. Paolo and Rosa. Estranged husband and wife. Paolo is also cousin to Pope Francis and works with him as well. The way the description for this book phrases it, it puts Pope Francis and the Dalai Lama as the main characters, tagging on Rosa and Paolo to this. Aka, religion is first.
Not the case.
Paolo is the one telling the story of how he broke the two men out of Vatican City because the Pope asked him to as a favor. So, instead of getting hard hitting religious dialogue, you get Paolo worrying and then fighting with Rosa, his very sexual and estranged wife. (I say sexual because she talks about sex a lot. And it felt out of place most of the time.)
I get the point of this book. Paolo is the typical everyday person with their own problems and not open to hearing wisdom. Pope Francis and the Dalai Lama teach him the religions. He learns and changes his ways. Not worried, get him and Rosa back together, etc. It was just so bad how it was done. I don't want to hear all about Paolo and his issues.
I'd suggest to skip this book and just go for books actually about the two religions and the two men. You'll get more out of it.
DNF at 25%
I had such high hopes for this book. Some sort of dialogue between Pope Francis and the Dalai Lama. Sure, it's fiction, but if someone does their research right about the religions and what each man actually has said to show their theology, then you've got a good book. Point out the similarities between the two religions while showing the differences. You have to have a happy medium between those two.
Not this book.
Basically, it has potential, but it was carried out in a way I wasn't impressed with. There are four characters in this book. Pope Francis, the Dalai Lama, and two fictional ones. Paolo and Rosa. Estranged husband and wife. Paolo is also cousin to Pope Francis and works with him as well. The way the description for this book phrases it, it puts Pope Francis and the Dalai Lama as the main characters, tagging on Rosa and Paolo to this. Aka, religion is first.
Not the case.
Paolo is the one telling the story of how he broke the two men out of Vatican City because the Pope asked him to as a favor. So, instead of getting hard hitting religious dialogue, you get Paolo worrying and then fighting with Rosa, his very sexual and estranged wife. (I say sexual because she talks about sex a lot. And it felt out of place most of the time.)
I get the point of this book. Paolo is the typical everyday person with their own problems and not open to hearing wisdom. Pope Francis and the Dalai Lama teach him the religions. He learns and changes his ways. Not worried, get him and Rosa back together, etc. It was just so bad how it was done. I don't want to hear all about Paolo and his issues.
I'd suggest to skip this book and just go for books actually about the two religions and the two men. You'll get more out of it.
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