What do you think?
Rate this book
The Man on the Mountaintop
The Man on the Mountaintop tells the story of Holy Man Joe, an ageing and unassuming man who lives in a hermitage on top of a mountain. During the summer months, thousands of hopefuls line the single-file path leading to his door, seeking his wisdom. From bombastic, wealthy nobles intent on cheating their way to the top to drunkards who gradually build the physical and mental strength they need to quit their addiction, The Man on the Mountaintop is a rousing tale full of humour, wit and life lessons.
In an Audible Originals production, Stanley Tucci (The Devil Wears Prada, Fortitude) and Toby Jones (Infamous, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets) lead a multivoice cast in an inspiring tale that is as entertaining as it is profound.
Also featuring Alison Dowling, Anne Rosenfeld, Avita Jay, Christophe Hespel, Christopher Ragland, Clare Corbett, David Thorpe, Fran Canals, Hayward B. Morse, Jeff Harding, Lachele Carl, Laurence Bouvard, Liza Ross, Lobo Chan, Martin T Sherman, Paul Panting, Rachel Atkins, Richard Rees, Sagar Arya, Sheena Bhattessa, Stephen Hogan and Tim Bentinck.
In an Audible Originals production, Stanley Tucci (The Devil Wears Prada, Fortitude) and Toby Jones (Infamous, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets) lead a multivoice cast in an inspiring tale that is as entertaining as it is profound.
Also featuring Alison Dowling, Anne Rosenfeld, Avita Jay, Christophe Hespel, Christopher Ragland, Clare Corbett, David Thorpe, Fran Canals, Hayward B. Morse, Jeff Harding, Lachele Carl, Laurence Bouvard, Liza Ross, Lobo Chan, Martin T Sherman, Paul Panting, Rachel Atkins, Richard Rees, Sagar Arya, Sheena Bhattessa, Stephen Hogan and Tim Bentinck.
Audiobook
First published November 9, 2017
105 people are currently reading
1355 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 775 reviews
April 22, 2020
You absolutely MUST get the Audiobook version. Not only is it a great cast, but it's how books SHOULD be heard... in full drama.
I read this as an Audible offering with only a mild interest, and primarily for narrators Stanley Tucci and Toby Jones. I figured I'd listen to the first couple of chapters and drop it if it wasn't interesting. Wow was I wrong!
I was hooked early on. I loved the allegorical visits of pilgrims to the holy man. Delightfully charming and funny. I nearly got out my pen to jot notes as I listened.
The story gradually changed, moving away from the pilgrims and focusing on Joe and his companions. While interesting, I didn't feel any connection with them, until Anna, of course. The last third of the story, on Joe and Anna traveling to see his teacher was no less interesting but just not as engaging to me as the beginning.
The ending didn't leave me as I'd hoped. I really wanted something Wow that would make me want to read the whole thing all over again. But it didn't.
Still, despite my criticisms, it's an excellent story that really makes you think about things on a deeper level.
I read this as an Audible offering with only a mild interest, and primarily for narrators Stanley Tucci and Toby Jones. I figured I'd listen to the first couple of chapters and drop it if it wasn't interesting. Wow was I wrong!
I was hooked early on. I loved the allegorical visits of pilgrims to the holy man. Delightfully charming and funny. I nearly got out my pen to jot notes as I listened.
The story gradually changed, moving away from the pilgrims and focusing on Joe and his companions. While interesting, I didn't feel any connection with them, until Anna, of course. The last third of the story, on Joe and Anna traveling to see his teacher was no less interesting but just not as engaging to me as the beginning.
The ending didn't leave me as I'd hoped. I really wanted something Wow that would make me want to read the whole thing all over again. But it didn't.
Still, despite my criticisms, it's an excellent story that really makes you think about things on a deeper level.
February 18, 2019
Crate & Barrel enlightenment so condescending and smug that I had to finish it just to smugly criticize it.
January 24, 2019
I truly loved this full cast production! One of the better things I've listened to. Simple and inspiring without being overly preachy. I recommend it extremely highly!
March 9, 2019
So so very bad. If you follow Gwyneth Paltrow for her spiritual advice, you might find some value here. But otherwise avoid this mess of pop culture spiritualism.
March 14, 2019
This was an Audible original. I chose this book because Stanley Tucci is the narrator, and I'm a big fan of him as an actor. This audiobook features a full cast. Mr. Tucci's narration was enjoyable, and most of the full cast was good as well. However, the storyline became dull and plodding from about the midpoint on. I stuck with it, thinking it would pick up again as it progressed, but it didn't.
January 26, 2019
The first half was interesting, but I found the so-called enlightened community was shallow and egotistical in the end.
October 22, 2023
Loved all the life lessons taught to the pilgrims, all of us should be able to relate to at least one of them. Also enjoyed the fact the holy man wasnt tied to any one religion. For some reason after a while it got a little slow and it was hard to keep my attention focused.
April 11, 2020
The Man on the Mountaintop was an interesting audible original. It was filled with short chapters and an entertaining cast of narrators. The only thing I hate about these audibles is that they are way too short. Definitely wished it was a smidge longer so that I could enjoy it more.
That being said, I still enjoyed it. I think Stanley Tucci's did a great job with what he had.. I just feel like it was missing something. Or maybe I'm just used to zoning in and out of books nowadays. Damn this quarantine life!
That being said, I still enjoyed it. I think Stanley Tucci's did a great job with what he had.. I just feel like it was missing something. Or maybe I'm just used to zoning in and out of books nowadays. Damn this quarantine life!
January 30, 2019
‘The Man on the Mountaintop’ is an audible original written by Susan Trott and adapted by Libby Spurrier. A delightful and engaging tale about people on a quest for holiness. Joe, a quiet and humble monk lives atop a mountain in a hermitage. Every year, people will make the trek up the mountain in search of answers to their most pressing problems. The journey itself becomes a pilgrimage; often they find answers before they ever meet Joe. These men and women come from all walks of life, from veterans who’ve fought in wars to a grandmother, upset because her grandchildren never thank her for her gifts. The book became even more engaging when I find aspects of myself in several characters. Little nuggets of wisdom are scattered throughout.
Stanley Tucci is the narrator, very nice voice. The voice of Joe (the Holy Man) is calm, quiet, exudes peacefulness and wisdom, and reminds me eerily of Eckhart Tolle, in its tone and cadence; absolutely mesmerizing. You just know when you listen to such a voice that if ever a person has visited the inner sanctum of the holiest of holy, its the person who goes with this voice. Laughter and tears will accompany the listener on this journey. In the hermitage, among his fellow monks, we meet people striving for an enlightened life, who have many of the troubles of the pilgrims who come to visit Joe. Joe is getting older. Who will replace him when he is gone? The holy monks have the same emotions as all the rest of us, greed, jealousy, anger, fear. It’s how they deal with them that’s different (mostly).
A lovely tale, meant to inspire and give one hope for everyday life. It certainly did me. Joe believes that everyone we meet is holy and we should treat them as such. A high ideal perhaps, but Joe made me believe it was true.
Stanley Tucci is the narrator, very nice voice. The voice of Joe (the Holy Man) is calm, quiet, exudes peacefulness and wisdom, and reminds me eerily of Eckhart Tolle, in its tone and cadence; absolutely mesmerizing. You just know when you listen to such a voice that if ever a person has visited the inner sanctum of the holiest of holy, its the person who goes with this voice. Laughter and tears will accompany the listener on this journey. In the hermitage, among his fellow monks, we meet people striving for an enlightened life, who have many of the troubles of the pilgrims who come to visit Joe. Joe is getting older. Who will replace him when he is gone? The holy monks have the same emotions as all the rest of us, greed, jealousy, anger, fear. It’s how they deal with them that’s different (mostly).
A lovely tale, meant to inspire and give one hope for everyday life. It certainly did me. Joe believes that everyone we meet is holy and we should treat them as such. A high ideal perhaps, but Joe made me believe it was true.
May 22, 2019
At first, I debated about the rating...3 or 4? 'Four' because it's a pretty good (radio) audio drama, as advertised, using voice actors who can add nuance to the dialogue and personality to the characters...or a 'three' for those very same reasons. A good 'read' allows the reader to participate and interpret and come to their own conclusions as to how the characters speak and act.
Then, there was a part of me...and this is where a person spoiler alert is advised...that a rating of 'five' is warranted. The personal spoiler is that recently my very special friend and wife of nearly 40 years died (or...should I say I had to give her back). The simple lessons provided by Joe throughout the narrative struck close to my heart...I cried often, yet found some 'advice' to be helpful in handling my real pain. Perhaps it's cathartic to include my feelings in a review that few will take the time to read...but, wtf, I need some catharsis, so indulge me.
Anyway, the book is instructive in an Aesop kind of way. These lessons are folksy, even schlocky, but have meaning in this ever-increasing mean world. There's nothing 'holy' about advice...Joe is just Joe. And he's just us, or the way we should be.
It's a good read when you're down and don't want to be....
Then, there was a part of me...and this is where a person spoiler alert is advised...that a rating of 'five' is warranted. The personal spoiler is that recently my very special friend and wife of nearly 40 years died (or...should I say I had to give her back). The simple lessons provided by Joe throughout the narrative struck close to my heart...I cried often, yet found some 'advice' to be helpful in handling my real pain. Perhaps it's cathartic to include my feelings in a review that few will take the time to read...but, wtf, I need some catharsis, so indulge me.
Anyway, the book is instructive in an Aesop kind of way. These lessons are folksy, even schlocky, but have meaning in this ever-increasing mean world. There's nothing 'holy' about advice...Joe is just Joe. And he's just us, or the way we should be.
It's a good read when you're down and don't want to be....
February 7, 2019
I really enjoyed this full cast adaptation. It was very calming, not stressing and at some points thought provoking.
January 27, 2019
This was a good book to understand the power of redemption. The story shows the power spiritual leaders can have on many people’s life-long journeys. This was another selection from the free Audible originals for the month of January 2019. I picked it out at random and feel that I learned a lot from it. Lessons such as “the opposite of love is not hate, but envy”. I’ve heard the opposite of love is indifference before, but I like how the story explains envy as the true opposite. This book covers many individual journeys where people are dealing with different challenges and are seeking a spiritual solution to their challenge. In this story there is a spiritual man named “Joe” who people line up for hours just to meet with him for a minute. He tells them what he believes they need to hear and some leave satisfied while some leave frustrated. The balance between satisfaction and frustration was one of the important takeaways I got out of this book. It showed spiritual guidance in both a positive and negative light, but positivity ultimately wins in the end. This was an entertaining story with many layers to it. It’s worth listening to.
February 11, 2019
"The Man on the Mountaintop" is a charming story about a holy man named Joe who lives in a hermitage on top of a mountain in an undisclosed country. People come from around the world seeking his guidance and advice. The first part of the story consists of vignettes of different character's encounters with Joe. Some interactions are hilarious, some are inspirational, and all contain interesting insights about being kind to each other and seeing every person as a holy person.
The story develops focusing more on Joe and on the personalities of the monks that work with him. It's delightful and a fun adventure to listen to.
The story develops focusing more on Joe and on the personalities of the monks that work with him. It's delightful and a fun adventure to listen to.
February 2, 2019
I was looking for a gentle reminder of the good in the world. I came across this story & wasn't disappointed. Treat all people as holy.
March 6, 2020
Fast and easy illusions of wisdom. Stories are simplistic and forced.
The one thing I found amusing was that the holy man was named « Joe ».
The one thing I found amusing was that the holy man was named « Joe ».
January 25, 2019
(Audible Audio)
The Holy man lives atop the mountain and every day that the mountain is passable, a line forms in front of his house with people waiting to meet him, learn from him. The line is long, and it can sometimes take days, or even weeks to get your turn with the Holy Man.
Joe (the Holy man) is a trickster and teaches wisdom in unexpected ways. He's an unexpected guru and his process for handling visitors is delightful.
For much of the book, we meet the people in line and listen to their stories of what they learned in their quest to meet the Holy man. However, we pick up fairly quickly that Joe is aging and he likely has heart trouble.
His last journey, to go save his teacher, who is ailing, takes additional twists.
There's one story that doesn't get resolved, though and that's Anna's. It makes one wonder if there's a sequel coming for "The wise woman on the mountaintop."
RECOMMEND--good for a car ride. Safe for kids to listen to.
The Holy man lives atop the mountain and every day that the mountain is passable, a line forms in front of his house with people waiting to meet him, learn from him. The line is long, and it can sometimes take days, or even weeks to get your turn with the Holy Man.
Joe (the Holy man) is a trickster and teaches wisdom in unexpected ways. He's an unexpected guru and his process for handling visitors is delightful.
For much of the book, we meet the people in line and listen to their stories of what they learned in their quest to meet the Holy man. However, we pick up fairly quickly that Joe is aging and he likely has heart trouble.
His last journey, to go save his teacher, who is ailing, takes additional twists.
There's one story that doesn't get resolved, though and that's Anna's. It makes one wonder if there's a sequel coming for "The wise woman on the mountaintop."
RECOMMEND--good for a car ride. Safe for kids to listen to.
January 11, 2019
This audiobook selection was so incredibly inspiring and uplifting to me that I bought a friend of mine an audible membership so that she could have the opportunity to enjoy this as much as I have.
A Holy man rests in his space upon the mountain and the people come to see him, gain insight from his wisdom and learn to see themselves in a whole new light. This is done so beautifully that I didn’t feel preached at... instead I had many an “aha” moment. I didn’t feel criticized or guilty ... However; I felt entirely as if I was learning as much from the holy man as those in the tale.
Each story within the story was beautiful and they came together to represent so much of the human condition. I smiled often, laughed at times, tears filled my eyes, and my heart was lifted.
I can’t think how to rave about this in any way worthy of it.
A Holy man rests in his space upon the mountain and the people come to see him, gain insight from his wisdom and learn to see themselves in a whole new light. This is done so beautifully that I didn’t feel preached at... instead I had many an “aha” moment. I didn’t feel criticized or guilty ... However; I felt entirely as if I was learning as much from the holy man as those in the tale.
Each story within the story was beautiful and they came together to represent so much of the human condition. I smiled often, laughed at times, tears filled my eyes, and my heart was lifted.
I can’t think how to rave about this in any way worthy of it.
February 1, 2019
סוג של ספר עזרה עצמית.
ג'ו הוא נזיר קדוש החי בפסגת הר. החלק הראשון של הספר עוסק במסע של אנשים במעלה ההר לפגוש את ג'ו ולקבל ממנו עצה ביחס לחייהם. עצם המסע במעלה ההר, לאורך ימים ארוכים ולעיתים חודשים, מוביל את האנשים לפתרון שהם מייחלים לו.
ג'ו מלמד את האנשים בצניעות רבה, לראות את מה שמונח כל הזמן לפניהם, אהבה, סליחה, קבלה עצמית וקבלת האחר.
החלק השני של הספר עוסק במסע של ג'ו אחרי 25 שנים בפסגת ההר אל הציווליזציה. החלק הזה פחות מובנה ופחות עיניין אותי. המסר בו מעורפל יותר.
ההפקה של אודיובל מעולה.
ג'ו הוא נזיר קדוש החי בפסגת הר. החלק הראשון של הספר עוסק במסע של אנשים במעלה ההר לפגוש את ג'ו ולקבל ממנו עצה ביחס לחייהם. עצם המסע במעלה ההר, לאורך ימים ארוכים ולעיתים חודשים, מוביל את האנשים לפתרון שהם מייחלים לו.
ג'ו מלמד את האנשים בצניעות רבה, לראות את מה שמונח כל הזמן לפניהם, אהבה, סליחה, קבלה עצמית וקבלת האחר.
החלק השני של הספר עוסק במסע של ג'ו אחרי 25 שנים בפסגת ההר אל הציווליזציה. החלק הזה פחות מובנה ופחות עיניין אותי. המסר בו מעורפל יותר.
ההפקה של אודיובל מעולה.
January 17, 2019
Ugh. That is what I said to myself over and over as this book pondered along. Undeniably goofy, by any standards, and fake spirituality. Untenable situations. Unbelievable characters. I just kept r0lling my eyes.
The performance, however, was well done, and that helped. And there were a few pockets of interesting dialogue or pieces of description. But I sure wasn't interested in reading the two books this is based on.
The performance, however, was well done, and that helped. And there were a few pockets of interesting dialogue or pieces of description. But I sure wasn't interested in reading the two books this is based on.
January 18, 2019
Well written story competently adapted. The holy man is kind, calm, funny, and wise. His wisdom seems to rub off on you even if you are just listening to his story.
dnf
January 28, 2019I had to dnf this book, cause it's so freaking boring. I'm glad it was a free audiobook.
February 19, 2019
This felt like reading a series of high-end fortune cookies.
January 23, 2019
A delightful book that was more akin to a radio play than an audio book. Multiple voices and impressive performances by Stanley Tucci and Toby Jones make this short book a delicious treat.
This simple parable tells the story of pilgrims making the climb to a mountaintop to seek the advice of a wiseman. Each pilgrim pours out his heart, revealing a distressing life struggle. Skillfully and with great compassion, the wiseman guides them in a healing revelation to ease their pain.
The book reminds me of a child's book (but for adults). It revisits the foundational practices that lead to a fulfilled life. You’ll be left with a warm glow and a renewed confidence in the goodness in the world.
This simple parable tells the story of pilgrims making the climb to a mountaintop to seek the advice of a wiseman. Each pilgrim pours out his heart, revealing a distressing life struggle. Skillfully and with great compassion, the wiseman guides them in a healing revelation to ease their pain.
The book reminds me of a child's book (but for adults). It revisits the foundational practices that lead to a fulfilled life. You’ll be left with a warm glow and a renewed confidence in the goodness in the world.
January 21, 2019
The book started off excellent! However I felt like halfway through it just start to slow down and wasn’t as interesting to listen too. It felt like the book should have ended way before it did.
February 4, 2019
I found this book to be very cliche and cringe-worthy. Sometimes it was painful to listen to. The overdramatic narration didn’t help with the cheese-factor.
July 7, 2020
this was a good read.
April 18, 2020
A great, heartfelt book that will leave you feeling good and hopefully a little wiser.
April 13, 2020
WOW. I needed this book at this time. Stanley Tucci is an amazing narrator. Perfect for this book. Very insightful and uplifting listen. Has a very Paulo Coelho feel. Be nice to people.
May 14, 2020
I don't think I've ever encountered a story in which a wise man worried about "passing on his mantle of wisdom." That phrase alone kind of encapsulates this book.
First, the audio of the book is great. The full-cast performance is fun, the narrators are as great as you'd expect them to be, and the sound effects are a cool addition that makes it feel a bit more like story time as a child. This was great.
And the initial stories seemed kind of cool. The setup of the book, the first few rounds of stories, the dynamics of the "wisdom" dispensed; at first I quite liked the premise. With time however it became more and more obvious how shallow the "wisdom" was. And not just shallow but somewhat concerning. The "wisdom" often translated to an encouragement of the reader to be more judgmental of someone for their situation or to glory in the judgment of characters for one another; people who took the approaches often implied by the book would be, frankly, assholes. This mixed with the growing dynamic of the wise man being rather full of himself about his wisdom while simultaneously being an idiot , and finally instances in which the wise man himself seemed to cause pointless strife in ways even a teenager should know better than .
I made it through a bit more than five of the nine chapters and regretted wasting my time that far; if you want wisdom find sources that actually are wise; this story takes the narrative structure of a typical wisdom tradition and fills it with pop-culture pablum, "wisdom" that would actually do damage, and superficiality.
First, the audio of the book is great. The full-cast performance is fun, the narrators are as great as you'd expect them to be, and the sound effects are a cool addition that makes it feel a bit more like story time as a child. This was great.
And the initial stories seemed kind of cool. The setup of the book, the first few rounds of stories, the dynamics of the "wisdom" dispensed; at first I quite liked the premise. With time however it became more and more obvious how shallow the "wisdom" was. And not just shallow but somewhat concerning. The "wisdom" often translated to an encouragement of the reader to be more judgmental of someone for their situation or to glory in the judgment of characters for one another; people who took the approaches often implied by the book would be, frankly, assholes. This mixed with the growing dynamic of the wise man being rather full of himself about his wisdom while simultaneously being an idiot , and finally instances in which the wise man himself seemed to cause pointless strife in ways even a teenager should know better than .
I made it through a bit more than five of the nine chapters and regretted wasting my time that far; if you want wisdom find sources that actually are wise; this story takes the narrative structure of a typical wisdom tradition and fills it with pop-culture pablum, "wisdom" that would actually do damage, and superficiality.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 775 reviews