Diamond Sutra

by Colin Hester

After a childhood darker than most, Rudyard Gillette has reached a standstill. A forty-year-old former college baseball player, Rud works for a textbook publishing company during the week, plays golf with his haunted yet gentle father on weekends, and sleeps with his girlfriend any day she'll let him - that is, when her other boyfriend isn't around.
But one afternoon Rud's routine is interrupted by a tragedy, and his tentative life spins apart. Devastated, tormented by a sense of failure, and utterly alone, Rud moves haltingly through each day until he meets Gale Harmon, the beautiful, enigmatic woman who was his childhood friend and first love. Just as Rud begins to find comfort in renewed friendship, Gale disappears. Rud's choice is clear, and he abandons everything - home, job, girlfriend - to search for her.

Hardcover

First published April 1, 1997

Reviews

[R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was a bit disjointed. I was tempted to quit it at several points when the narrative took turns I found ponderous. Yet the main character’s attempts to come to terms with painful events by finding “the mustard seeds” kept me tuned.

[Kylene · Rating 5 out of 5]

A middle aged man comes to terms with a life that's had too much sorrow, punctuated by a great tragedy. As we follow him through his struggles, he does have brushes with happiness. When he begins searching for the woman who disappears from his life, he is beginning a deep inner search as well. The best thing about this book is that he actually finds some answers and meaning in all he's been through. Which are all the greater for the pain it took to reach them. After all the aching I did for Rudyard, the very end left me with a big smile.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bizarre and yet, simultaneously, very engaging.