What a story! By turns epic and heroic, tender and touching, The Novice imparts a hugely important lesson to our times. It is a gift to every Western seeker of the ‘spiritual’ East. With the seductive verve of a novelist, Schettini tells a subversive and liberating tale.”
—Glenn Wallis, PhD
Author of Basic Teachings of the Buddha, The Dhammapada, & Mediating the Power of Buddhas
A wonderful achievement, gripping and calmly insightful by turn, honest to the point of being a sustained howl of pain at times, with some brilliantly succinct portraits of the author’s teachers and friends.
—Stephen Batchelor
Author of Buddhism without Beliefs
“Stephen Schettini’s The Novice is a lively read with a deep meaning, entertaining us with a fascinating slice of life while encouraging us to use our short lives in a fruitful way—not settling for some half-alive, blind following of routine. I enjoyed its keen portrayal of outer landscape and inner terrain of emotion and intellect, its humor, and the nobility of the author's struggles, told with ruthless honesty and understated humor in an engaging combination. I recommend it enthusiastically”
—Robert Thurman
Professor of Buddhist Studies, Columbia University
Author of Inner Revolution & Why the Dalai Lama Matters “
Podcast
Stephen Schettini interviewed by Deborah Harper of PsychJourney, Sept 3, 2009 [44 mins]
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Helium (Where Knowledge Rules) says:
“This memoir is well-written and easy to read. It is filled with a great deal of honesty, which is the best way to portray emotion in its purest form. It is inspirational, as the reader cannot help but question her own ideals in comparison to Schettini’s. And it’s simply a good story. He describes these people and places, so often almost demonized on the recent news, in a vivid fashion that puts you right there with him. The behaviors of the people seem to be on par with other memoirs of the area, such as Greg Mortensen’s Three Cups of Tea.” (more)
Bookreview.com,
January 2010
Book of the Month:
“A remarkable feat ... an enlightening and enthralling read that towers as high as any religious text in its counter stance of uncertainty. [Schettini]’s book puts so poignantly what could take a lifetime to discover, and devout followers of any religion, or no religion, would be wise to listen.” (more)
The Huffington Post says:
“[A] remarkable facility with language as an evocative tool brings us into the action and places us vividly in the situations Schettini describes. [...] We are present, engaged. That the author is able to bring the same clarity to describe his inner states and his relationships with those around him makes his story as profound as it is compelling to read.” (more)
Tricycle, the Buddhist Review says:
“Schettini’s a wonderful writer and he’s worth the read.” (more)
The Christian Universalist says:
“...extremely entertaining, with rich details and brutal honesty ... Schettini inadvertently gives good advice to Christians who see the glaring holes in Christianity.” (more)
The Buddha Diaries say:
“I'm rediscovering the pleasure of holding a nicely-made book in my hands. It stands out from every other book I’ve read recently, and I was not surprised to find that it was designed by its own author, a former Buddhist monk.” (more)
The Washington Examiner says:
“Writings about spiritual journeys have the potential to read like deadly dull navel-gazing. This book is not like that. Schettini is a keen observer of what's around him and what's going on inside him. He has obviously spent decades mulling over the material and has a nice, self-aware style....” (more)
Author’s hometown Local Journal says:
“Schettini makes us want to read
it one more time by somehow making it
about us too with his thoroughly honest
account of a life revealed in all its
fragility as well as its strength....” (more)
Blogging Authors say:
“The Novice is a memoir that everyone can learn from. While the majority of us will never set out on a path like Stephen did, being able to read his story lets the reader learn about his life-lessons as an armchair traveler. His experiences and descriptions of the places that he has been and the hardships that he has endured are incredible. Pictures are interspersed throughout the book to help illustrate his story.” (more)
Reader Views say:
“Having been raised in a very strict Catholic upbringing, and having dabbled with other belief systems, I also have come to many of the realizations that (Schettini) has about what is really involved in being content and happy. His book, however, summed up my thoughts in a way that had much more of an impact on my meandering ideas. I highly recommend this memoir.” (more)
Wildmind (buddhist meditation) says:
“It is high time to let go of illusions about both the mystical East or the glorious prospects for western Buddhism and reflect seriously and honestly on what has been learned. The Novice is a heart-felt, frank, informative and eloquent contribution.” (more)
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