When the Buddha Met Bubba
By John Lee As Richard "Dixie" Hartwell
If Samuel Clemens did it...
Hope you are ready to read my first
quirky novel When
The Buddha Met BubbaThe first 3 chapters are available as a free e-book. The entire book will be published by Iroquois Press (an imprint of Turner Publishing) in October 2009. It can be pre-ordered here.
I have created an alter-ego/pen-name—Dixie Hartwell—to write the kind of book I’ve always dreamed about. My talented wife Susan has designed a website to showcase this fictional character and the novels he has written, among other kinds of fun writings. While I know many of you will not be interested in this less than sophisticated spiritual comedy I trust some of you will. It is a leap for me to be sure but like the poet Marvin Bell says, “Have a lot of nerve. Fall down big, make a big splash. Why not?”
It is about spiritual growth and faith. Simultaneously it is a romp through my home state of Alabama, which is known here in the South to be “The Heart of Dixie.” When The Buddha Met Bubba is a whimsical, fantasy that deals with the integrity and surrender that comes when a likeable redneck (Bubba) meets his magical mentor, Pu Tai (one of the many names for The Buddha), as they set off on an unusual journey. It has at its center a love story between a man and a woman and the devotion of a beautiful gay couple. Throw in the struggle to heal a father-son wound, old South prejudice and bigotry, then add a little humor and true Buddhist/Christian compassion and you end up with a quirky novel that is not only different but just plain fun.
The following are responses to the first four chapters I sent to a few people last week:
“Dixie Hartwell (John Lee) is the only fellow I know who can get away with a line like, ‘I opened my eyes to see if I was dead.’ Bubba Strayhorne is a grubbier-than-all-getout south Alabama Everyman; the mystic Pooh is his enlightened counterpart. I loved meeting them both, and witnessing the discovery of the common ground in which they exist. I will not soon forget the colorful crowd who populate this novel, nor the timeless truths their story embodies. I LOVED the book, John. You did it again! Couldn’t stop until I’d read it all." Ceci Miller, Seattle, WA
“Great piece. When do I get to finish the story—I'm Caught...” Tim Schaller, Asheville, NC
"Just finished reading your novel. As I stacked up the last thirty or so pages with the ones I'd printed and left on the desk earlier I couldn't help but feel as if part of it belonged to me now. This book was a joy for me. Now that you have given to it to me I will never be without it again. I have enjoyed ever book of yours that I've read, but not like this one. I read the others and I learned from them. I took this one in. It's almost like I watched it instead of read it. The pictures were real. The themes are close and the lessons are important. The imagery is fantastic. I loved it. As soon as it's in print I'll send one to each of my boys. God help them they grew up with me before I'd had a chance to meet Pooh or John Lee.Thank you, from the bottom of my heart for sharing Bubba and Pooh with me and the rest of those who struggle to free themselves from the bondage of their upbringing. You have written a beautiful story and a book that will always live in my mind as an event. It is as much a part of my experience as anything I've ever read." Terry Allen
“As soon as I received it I read until the end
of chapter 4. I really enjoyed it. I want to know the rest of the story!!!!
I want to buy it when it is completed and released to the public?” Marvin
Baker, Reno, NV
“Good job on the book...When will it be available? I can't wait to read
the rest.” Debbie Henderson, Tuscumbia, AL
“It reminds me of the hilarious movie by the Coen Brothers, Raising Arizona.” Dr. Bill Stott, Santiago, Chile
“...Seriously this is great! Inspired. I read it all and enjoyed it...Makes me think of home...Reading this, I had very clear pictures of the whole scene. Maybe this could be a movie...Hope to read more.” Joseph Howard, Asheville, NC
Please feel free to email me at Dixiehartwell@aol.com with your comments.
Take care and thanks again for all your support.