Religion usually doesnt have a prayer in literary fiction. From novels, youd never suspect that tens of millions of Americans attend services every week and pray every day. Sure, there are lots of religious books published in the United States, from sacred texts to inspirational tracts and even sizzling Christian romances, but ascend into the heavenly realm of Serious Fiction, and youll find that Nietzsche was largely right about God. Marilynne Robinson, Alice McDermott, Bob Shacochis the authors who take matters of the spirit seriously could barely fill one pew.
Its striking then to find this month two very different novels that focus on spirituality and even more rare the challenges of devotion. They both dare to enter a sanctuary that few contemporary authors are willing to set foot in.
Bruce Wagner is a parishioner at the holy church of Hollywood. Hes written and directed screenplays, and his name-dropping novels, such as last years Dead Stars, sacrifice the Beautiful People on a glitzy altar of satire. Hes also long been drawn to mysticism, both for his own enlightenment (he was a disciple of the late Carlos Castaneda) and, weirdly, for his acidic comedies (see Still Holding).
The Empty Chair, his new book, has nothing to do with Clint Eastwoods speech at the 2012 Republican National Convention (although its easy to imagine that unhinged moment of our political history as something Wagner would dream up). Instead, The Empty Chair is a pair of thinly conjoined novellas presented as two long, unabridged interviews with practitioners of diet Buddhism seekers slouching toward spiritual redemption.
The first novella by far the better one is a monologue delivered by a 50-year-old gay man at a monastery in Big Sur. Wagner forces himself and us to adhere to the books fictive form: The interview wanders, skips and misfires in a way that reminds us that, in contrast, almost all the interviews we see on TV, hear on the radio or read in the newspaper have been trimmed and arranged as artfully as this Sundays floral display. For many pages, Wagners narrator chats around, offering up his mildly assuming patter of literary allusions and self-deprecating asides: If the Buddhists call sitting meditation zazen, I call my theosophy vanzen because I live in my van, he says. I cant conceive of a life without the ol Greater Vehicle.
Its the illusion of rambling that makes this section so remarkable. But what seems like witty digression about his beatnik idols is really self-conscious delay, the nervous stalling of a man skating around something too painful to approach headlong. Soon we learn that he was sexually abused as a child by a Catholic priest, an ordeal that sent him searching for peace in Buddhism. But even darker traumas lurk in this extraordinary confession. As he begins to describe the woman he married and the spiritually precocious little boy they raised together, the story slips into unimaginably tragic territory.
Wagners real subject here is spiritual pride among the devout struggling toward Nothingness to prove who shall be least. His narrator has a wry sense of humor about this world of competitive enlightenment, but theres no smirking when he finally arrives at what it costs a child to be infected with his parents metaphysical shtick. Can a young boy subsist on the wheatgrass and tofu of passive-aggressively homicidal Zen platitudes? No matter where you are in the 31 Realms of Existence, youll feel shaken by this devastating story.
Speaking of nothingness, dont bother with the second novella of The Empty Chair. Its the maundering tale of a woman recalling her affair with a wealthy criminal who was determined to find his guru in India. Tedious and convoluted, this story offers no emotional impact whatsoever, and, worse, its last-ditch effort to connect with the first novella feels like an act of desecration.
Vatican Waltz
Roland Merullos last few books have been gently comic novels about faith and spirituality, from Golfing With God to Lunch With Buddha. Although those cloying titles may sound like purgatory, the stories themselves are redeemed by Merullos winning sweetness. Of course, if you need your religious figures frozen in dark stained glass, you should probably pass by on the other side, but if youre hip to a little irreverence and humor in divine matters, you might like him very much.
Read the original post:
Book World: ‘The Empty Chair’ and ‘Vatican Waltz’
- The Lives of Others [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Aliens and Spiritual Enlightenment [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Dreams [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Open Your Eyes [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Spiritual Enlightenment and Grizzly Bears [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- I’m Alive! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Seeing the World [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- First Taste of Spiritual Enlightenment [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Pause [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Welcome [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Resurrection Needed for the Catholic Church, not Jesus. Christianity, Islam ... - American Chronicle [Last Updated On: April 5th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 5th, 2010]
- The Secret of Kells - Harvard Crimson [Last Updated On: April 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2010]
- Taylor: The true Easter within - Lake County News [Last Updated On: April 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2010]
- CHOICES! Your Go To Source for Enlightenment! / Spiritual Movie Morning - WCNC (subscription) [Last Updated On: April 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2010]
- Sex Swami duped firangs in the US - NDTV.com [Last Updated On: April 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2010]
- Girls' school defies Taliban terror - Times Online [Last Updated On: April 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2010]
- Shen Yun Performers Present Spiritual Connotation with Life - The Epoch Times [Last Updated On: April 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2010]
- Yoga Draws Criticism - TopNews United States [Last Updated On: April 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2010]
- Banjamin Bratt: 'I Wanted to Be Anything But an Actor' - Palm Beach Post [Last Updated On: April 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2010]
- The History of Buddhism - MPBN News [Last Updated On: April 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2010]
- Secrets of the Catholic Church - The National Law Journal [Last Updated On: April 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2010]
- U-Theatre of Taiwan dance troupe's West Coast debut spotlights its virtuosity - OregonLive.com [Last Updated On: April 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2010]
- Religion Calendar - Montreal Gazette [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- Siquijor conducts recollection for parolees - Philippine Information Agency [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- Prayer for guidance - Inquirer.net [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- East Bay Buddhist temple strives to maintain relevance in new land - San Jose Mercury News [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- Spiritual Journey: Stay-home mom Melody Melvin - The Huntsville Times - al.com (blog) [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- What Does The Buddha Have To Do With Jesus? - Huffington Post (blog) [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- Laura Dern and William H. Macy Heading to Cable - Inside TV (blog) [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- American Guru Steven S. Sadleir brings Shaktipat to Spain and Italy - PR Web (press release) [Last Updated On: April 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 11th, 2010]
- Who and What Is Buddha, Really? - Huffington Post (blog) [Last Updated On: April 12th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2010]
- The ACLU works to sap our spiritual strength - The Free Lance-Star [Last Updated On: April 13th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 13th, 2010]
- Christ Enlightened, The Lost Teachings of Jesus Unveiled by Best-Selling ... - PR Web (press release) [Last Updated On: April 13th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 13th, 2010]
- All About Kundalini Yoga - EmpowHer (blog) [Last Updated On: April 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- Catholic leadership's image tarnished by recurring scandal - Staunton News Leader [Last Updated On: April 16th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2010]
- Iowa Swami Who Beguiled the Jazz Age - New York Times [Last Updated On: April 16th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2010]
- More than a spiritual exercise - Nagaland Post [Last Updated On: April 18th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 18th, 2010]
- Despite media smears, world and faithful have warmed to Benedict - Irish Times [Last Updated On: April 18th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 18th, 2010]
- The Fool's Story in the Major Arcana - I-Newswire.com (press release) [Last Updated On: April 19th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2010]
- Pakistan's pre-Islamic art goes on show in Paris - DAWN.com [Last Updated On: April 20th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2010]
- New author shares emotional enlightenment - The Trinidad Guardian [Last Updated On: April 20th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2010]
- The theft of yoga - Washington Post (blog) [Last Updated On: April 20th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2010]
- Enter the Realm of the Buddha - Georgetown University The Hoya [Last Updated On: April 22nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2010]
- Indian guru arrested over sex scandal: Police - Montreal Gazette [Last Updated On: April 22nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2010]
- Life Out Here: Tea Party with a twist - Imperial Valley Press (subscription) [Last Updated On: April 22nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2010]
- April 25: A Turning Point for Today's China - The Epoch Times [Last Updated On: April 22nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2010]
- Nityananda bound devotees with non-disclosure agreements - Sify [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2010]
- Buddhist Extremists in Bangladesh Beat, Take Christians Captive - Pakistan Christian TV [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2010]
- Liberty and the Death of God - American Thinker [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2010]
- A Commentary on Religious Intolerance & the Dalai Lama - Subversify (blog) [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2010]
- The Fool's Story in the Major Arcana - BigNews.biz (press release) [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2010]
- Review: Seeking Life's Meaning - New York Times (blog) [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2010]
- An Analysis Of I Corinthians 15 - Blogger News Network (blog) [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2010]
- Luxury in spiritual Ladakh, India - Times Online [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2010]
- JD Salinger: A 'Selfish Old Goat,' But Not a Perv - Politics Daily (blog) [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2010]
- Sorry, your patent on yoga has run out - Washington Post (blog) [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2010]
- Leggo my ego - Winnipeg Free Press [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2010]
- Church Set to Regain Museum Treasures - The Moscow Times [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2010]
- The multiple sides of Ricky Williams - San Diego Union Tribune [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2010]
- The Dalai Lama, Buddhism, and Tibet: Reflecting on a Half-Century of Change - Student Pulse [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2010]
- The Kumbh Mela: what can it teach us about mental health, consciousness and ... - Psychology Today (blog) [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2010]
- THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS (DVD) - Film Threat [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2010]
- A Leg Up on “THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE” - FANGORIA (blog) [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2010]
- The hottest docs at Hot Docs - Globe and Mail [Last Updated On: April 29th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2010]
- Florida Dems shut down state House - Politico [Last Updated On: April 29th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2010]
- Reading Energy Fields with Tanis Day - The Barrie Examiner [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2010]
- Book flights to India for a luxury mountain retreat - Southall Travel [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2010]
- In death, mass murderer sees freedom - Citizens Voice [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2010]
- Author Becky Walsh on enlightenment through sex - Dscriber [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2010]
- Is Western Christianity Suffering From Spiritual Amnesia? - Huffington Post (blog) [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2010]
- The Road That Leads to Nowhere - The Road That Leads to You - New York News Today [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2010]
- In Their Words: Her path to inner peace - Times Herald-Record [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2010]
- Rielle, Oprah, and Zen America's Truth-Off - Politics Daily (blog) [Last Updated On: May 3rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2010]
- CathBlog - Newman's reasoned faith outshines postmodernism's dark stars - CathNews [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2010]
- Light of the Sufis exhibit explores Islam's mystical side - Houston Chronicle [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2010]
- The last word: In search of enlightenment, mindfulness and nirvana in Silicon ... - Financial Times [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2010]
- 'Light in the Wilderness,' by M. Catherine Thomas - Mormon Times [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2010]
- Woodrow Wilson and the Progressive-Fascist Distinction - U.S. News & World Report (blog) [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2010]
- Are You Praying to the Only True God? - WEBCommentary [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2010]
- Haunting 'Lourdes' Revels in the Poetry of Ambiguity - HollywoodChicago.com [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2010]