by Anne Donovan
First published 2019
Jimmy works as a painter and decorator in Glasgow and loves a good joke. When he starts attending meditation sessions at the local Buddhist Center, his family thinks it's just another phase. His wife Liz and daughter Anne Marie watch as Jimmy gets deeper into spiritual practice. What begins as harmless curiosity grows into serious commitment. Jimmy's new beliefs clash with his family's expectations and daily routines. Liz feels abandoned as her husband changes into someone she doesn't recognize. The family that once seemed solid begins to fracture. Anne Marie watches her parents drift apart while Jimmy pursues enlightenment. The Buddhist teachings that bring Jimmy peace create chaos at home. Each family member must decide what matters most as their old life falls away.
Genres: literary-fiction, contemporary, religion, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: family-dynamics, fish-out-of-water
Setting: Glasgow
Period: 20th-century, 21st-century
336 pages · Paperback · Canongate Canons