The Wisdom of Donkeys
Finding Tranquility in a Chaotic World
Published on 23. April 2020
256 pages
978-1-78072-462-1 (ISBN)
Description
'An amazing book... Erudite, acutely observed and spontaneous.' - John Berger
'This is Zen and the Art of Donkey Walking. I cannot imagine a more charming, informative or restful book.' - Jim Crace
'Pleasantly eccentric and elegantly written, suffused with the patient calm of the admired beast.' - New York Observer
'A fond meditation on the calming virtues of donkeyhood and daydreaming... a wistful travelogue.' - The Sunday Times
When Andy Merrifield made his first trip to America aged ten, he vowed that one day he would leave his native Liverpool and live in New York. He eventually got there, but his dream quickly turned sour.
In 2003, weary of city life, he moved to central France and embarked upon a journey of the soul, walking amid the ruins and spectacular vistas of the Auvergne.
This book is the story of that slow pilgrimage, on which his only companion is Gribouille, a tender and intelligent donkey with soft, thick fur on his brow and calm, dark eyes. The purposeful pace of his journey allows Merrifield gradually to confront himself, as well as the larger mysteries of existence - while marvelling at his tranquil surroundings and revelling in the oddities of French rural life.
The Wisdom of Donkeys reminds us that observing, being mindful, and being present in the moment are essential to a fulfilled life. It teaches us that enlightenment is all around us if we only take the time to seek it.
'This is Zen and the Art of Donkey Walking. I cannot imagine a more charming, informative or restful book.' - Jim Crace
'Pleasantly eccentric and elegantly written, suffused with the patient calm of the admired beast.' - New York Observer
'A fond meditation on the calming virtues of donkeyhood and daydreaming... a wistful travelogue.' - The Sunday Times
When Andy Merrifield made his first trip to America aged ten, he vowed that one day he would leave his native Liverpool and live in New York. He eventually got there, but his dream quickly turned sour.
In 2003, weary of city life, he moved to central France and embarked upon a journey of the soul, walking amid the ruins and spectacular vistas of the Auvergne.
This book is the story of that slow pilgrimage, on which his only companion is Gribouille, a tender and intelligent donkey with soft, thick fur on his brow and calm, dark eyes. The purposeful pace of his journey allows Merrifield gradually to confront himself, as well as the larger mysteries of existence - while marvelling at his tranquil surroundings and revelling in the oddities of French rural life.
The Wisdom of Donkeys reminds us that observing, being mindful, and being present in the moment are essential to a fulfilled life. It teaches us that enlightenment is all around us if we only take the time to seek it.
Reviews / Votes
A cracking little book * The Times * An amazing book... Erudite, acutely observed and spontaneous. My guess is that it will become what they call a classic Dr. Pillay does a wonderful job of translating neuroscience into layman's termsMore details
Edition
Digital original
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Octopus Publishing Group
Edition type
Digital original
ISBN-13
978-1-78072-462-1 (9781780724621)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
03/2009
Short Books Ltd
€29.89
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Person
Born in Liverpool, England in 1960, Andy Merrifield taught geography for over a decade in assorted British and American universities. He's author of four previous books, including biographies on two twentieth-century French philosophers. He now lives and writes in a small rural community in France's Auvergne region.
