Buddha Da is the debut from Scottish
author Anne Donovan (who we interviewed last week!), which was
shortlisted for both the Orange Prize for Fiction and the Whitbread
Award.
Jimmy, a painter and decorator from Glasgow, has taken up Buddhism, much to the confusion of his family. Anne Marie, who knows her Da as a fun-loving 'try anything' type of man, wonders whether to take his new religion seriously. And Liz, Jimmy's wife, is starting to grow concerned about the time he spends at meetings down at the centre.
But Jimmy is serious about becoming a Buddhist, not realising how it's affecting his family. After going on a retreat, Jimmy meets more like-minded people and starts to make more friends. Meanwhile, Anne Marie is having to get used to the small yet noticeable changes in her Da, and the unusual choice he has made.
Buddha Da is written from the point of view of the three characters; Liz, Anne Marie and Jimmy himself, which gives the reader a sensitive and personal look at what the family is going through. This works brilliantly, allowing you a peek into each of the characters' own lives.
In addition, the book is written in Glaswegian dialect. Though this was easy to get used to and by the third page and was already hooked, the dialect becoming a wonderful addition to each character's plight. The book is also very funny, leaving me giggling throughout, with Jimmy's chapters especially.
Buddha Da is a funny, brilliantly written debut about a man who chooses an unexpected path, and the affect it has on his wife, daughter and friends.
Rating: 5/5
