Anne Marie's Da, a Glaswegian painter and decorator, has always been game for a laugh. So when he first tells his family that he's taking up meditation at the Buddhist Centre in town, no one takes him seriously. But as Jimmy becomes more involved in his search for the spiritual his beliefs start to come into conflict with the needs of his wife, Liz, and cracks begin to form in their previously happy family.

With grace, humour and humility Anne Donovan's beloved debut tells the story of one man's search for a higher power. But in his search for meaning, Jimmy might be about to lose the thing that matters most.

About the Author
Anne Donovan is the author of the short story collection, Hieroglyphics and other Stories, and the novels, Buddha Da, Being Emily and Gone Are The Leaves, all published by Canongate. Her short story All That Glisters won the prestigious Macallan/Scotland on Sunday Award. Buddha Da was shortlisted for many prizes including the Orange Prize and the Dublin International IMPAC Award, and won Le Prince Maurice Award in Mauritius. Gone Are The Leaves was shortlisted for the Saltire Scottish Literary Book of the Year Award. She lives in Glasgow.

Reviews
A beauty . . . Had me engrossed to the end * * Sunday Telegraph * *
An enchanting novel in which ordinary lives are illuminated with extraordinary charm * * Daily Telegraph * *
Her deliciously corkscrewed tale flows with the sap of everyday life * * Sunday Times * *
Anne Donovan is to be cherished * * Times Literary Supplement * *
Anne Donovan is outstanding -- Melvyn Bragg
Buddha Da reads like a Scottish Roddy Doyle, dealing with potentially heavy issues with an addictive blend of pathos and humour * * Observer * *
Quirky and endearing. Don't wait until your next life to read it * * Sunday Herald * *
A delightfully deadpan look at what happens when one family member decides that he's unlocked the secrets of the universe * * Independent * *
An engaging account . . . Buddha Da recalls the early stories of Roddy Doyle . . . it has just enough humour to make the family compelling, and some delicate touches of insight - usually from Anne-Marie - that raise it above a suburban comedy -- Katy Guest * * Independent * *


Awards
Short-listed for Orange Prize for Fiction 2003 (UK) and Whitbread First Novel Award 2003 (UK).



Book Information
ISBN 9781786894007
Author Anne Donovan
Format Paperback
Page Count 336
Imprint Canongate Canons
Publisher Canongate Books
Weight(grams) 226g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 20mm