Synopsis
On the side of a mountain, in eighteenth century Japan, sits a man in perfect stillness as the summit erupts, spitting fire and molten rock onto the land around him. The man is Hakuin. He will become the world's most famous teacher of zen. This is not the first time he has seen hell.
Hakuin's quest for truth will call on him to defy his father, to face death, to find love and to lose it. He will ask, what is the sound of one hand clapping? And he will master his greatest fear. Night Boat is the story of his astonishing life.
Publisher information
- Publisher: Canongate Books
- ISBN: 9780857868541
- Number of pages: 464
- Dimensions: 198 x 129 x 28 mm
- Weight: 308g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
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Superb read
One of the beauties of agreeing to review books is that once in a while a real gem comes along. This book is one such gem.
The book is about learning from... READ MORE
An inspirational read
'Night Boat' - by Alan Spence.
What an interesting and inspirational book. The start and the finish are identical - "My childhood name was Iwajiro, and I w... READ MORE
A different read
An interesting book which was very easy to read.
As this book is based on Zen teaching I expected to be enlightened, but the book poses many questions and ... READ MORE
A book to be read over and over.
The book follows the life of the influential Zen figure Hakuin Ekaku, from his early childhood, to his inevitable end as an old and respected man. Although... READ MORE
A beautiful novel
I read this novel in the space of a few days as it arrived very late and I was in the middle of reading another one to review for the same deadline, but it... READ MORE
Interesting
I enjoyed this book although I've never read anything like it before.
Set in the 18th century the story follows the life of a Japanese boy as he grapples w... READ MORE
Beautiful!
I received Night Boat by Alan Spence as a free to review whilst I was on holiday, so I written my review a little late. I wish it would of arrived before m... READ MORE
Outstanding
Sometimes it can be difficult to convey an experience in words. Part of me wishes to surrender and say, “Mu.” This is a beautiful book and I felt as if I w... READ MORE