Book Review: Brad Warner's "Zen Wrapped in Karma Dipped in Chocolate"

Ok, normally when I do a book review they are pretty simple statements of "I like this book" or "Good Book!"what not.

I guess this one is kind of like that but with more words.

"Zen Wrapped in Karma Dipped in Chocolate" is a Buddha drama book. No that is not a typo or spelling error.

Buddha Drama, I guess is like a modern day Jataka tale, but not as well thought out, but very real at the same time.
Kind of like the Days of our lives or As the world turns soap opera for buddhists.

That is not to say that you don't get insights into the Buddha Dharma from reading a Buddha Drama book like this, quite the contrary, there are plenty of both indirect and direct insights to be gleaned from the book.

However, if you follow Brad's blog (I read it on the down low nowadays for zentertainment purposes mainly) you may be disappointed to find that most of the book was made up of things that he had posted on his blog over the last year and a half or so. However there is enought new and painful revalations in there that if you are in to schadenfreude or just a sadist in general you may get some pleasure from this book. Yes, I know I have sadistic tendencies, no, I don't really indulge in them too often unless someone is really asking for it, and yes, some people really do ask for it. No, I really did not enjoy the schadenfreude. I'm really a bit tired of it. I get enough of it from reading some other Neo-Buddhist blogs I also don't link anymore. But at least I can get my sadistic kicks off by writing this review, which I hope someone, anyone, even and especially me finds helpful.

Is there a place for this book? Is the question I have to ask. Or more importantly, is this a book I want to hang on to?

To the first question, yes. This book is a consumable, if you enjoy Brad's writing style this will be an easy one to read through. The Book is not to complex and does not contain a lot of tuff concepts for you to intellectualize about or wrap your head around. I got through it in about a day, and well I'm generally pretty slow. But unlike brads other books this is not one I think I will want to read again or even hang on to or keep on my shelf. If you want my copy let me know and we will figure out how I can get it to you. First come first serve. I only ask that when your done with it you keep passing it along because it dose actually have some good points in it about not idolizing Zen Teachers and stuff.

Anyway on that note Brad is a dork and a nerd, he says so in his book so I don't feel bad repeating it here.  I do feel a little bit of affection for him just like that red headed kid I used to give nuggies too way back in high school.

Also, I am still grateful to Brad for his first book, which helped my take my practice from the armchair to the Zafu.

And Brad, if you happen to read this, you are needed. Thank you for your efforts and practice. If you need a couch to crash on when you visit Portland, let me know. Just be forewarned that this house is inhabited by a spastic dog and demanding cat along with me my wife and kids. But no-one really talks about Zen here so at least you will get a break from that, and the wife and kids are big Godzilla/ Ultraman fans too. No, I am not, but I promise I will do my best to suppress the urge to give you a wedgie if you do show up.