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Painted Oxen
Two men, three realms, one goal: to find the heart of the world.
Painted Oxen is a novel of transcendence, one that not only invites its readers into its story, but somehow enmeshes them in its alchemy, leaving them changed in unexpected ways at its journey’s end. Bridging the worlds of ancient Tibet and modern day India, Painted Oxen weaves a tale of two men -- one young, one old -- on parallel journeys. Their separate-but-connected pilgrimages are equal parts internal and external.
The old man, a Tibetan monk, is searching for a sacred hidden valley known to bring enlightenment to those who enter it. The young man is backpacking through India, searching for a guru or the love of his life; he doesn't care which. A mysterious red-haired woman who resembles an ancient goddess appears in a series of dream chapters that tie the two journeys together.
The underlying theme of the novel is the transformation of the human heart, which is required to arrive at any true change in our lives. With its authentic voices, unforgettable characters, and well-crafted story, Painted Oxen successfully bridges the worlds of literary and spiritual fiction, adding something new and authentic to the literary landscape.
Winner of the 2018 Landmark Prize for Fiction.
Painted Oxen is a novel of transcendence, one that not only invites its readers into its story, but somehow enmeshes them in its alchemy, leaving them changed in unexpected ways at its journey’s end. Bridging the worlds of ancient Tibet and modern day India, Painted Oxen weaves a tale of two men -- one young, one old -- on parallel journeys. Their separate-but-connected pilgrimages are equal parts internal and external.
The old man, a Tibetan monk, is searching for a sacred hidden valley known to bring enlightenment to those who enter it. The young man is backpacking through India, searching for a guru or the love of his life; he doesn't care which. A mysterious red-haired woman who resembles an ancient goddess appears in a series of dream chapters that tie the two journeys together.
The underlying theme of the novel is the transformation of the human heart, which is required to arrive at any true change in our lives. With its authentic voices, unforgettable characters, and well-crafted story, Painted Oxen successfully bridges the worlds of literary and spiritual fiction, adding something new and authentic to the literary landscape.
Winner of the 2018 Landmark Prize for Fiction.
256 pages, Paperback
Published April 2, 2019
10 people are currently reading
1170 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Lloyd Qualls
5 books32 followersThomas Lloyd Qualls is a writer, a condition that is apparently incurable.
He is also a storyteller, podcaster, and the former owner of a music festival, as well as a former copywriter, a licensed attorney who has overturned two death sentences, and a one-time vagabond who used to wander the globe with a backpack and three changes of clothes.
What he means to say is that he is a human being who, so far, has done all these things. He’ll probably do more things not on this list.
His third book, Happiness Is an Imaginary Line in the Sand, is available for pre-order now. Release date is October 26, 2021.
Happiness Is an Imaginary Line in the Sand delivers a down-to-earth oracle to help decipher the riddles of modern life. It is convincing in its stubborn insistence that a better world is not only possible, but within our grasp.
His second novel Painted Oxen earned eight literary awards, including the Landmark Prize for Fiction, a Silver Nautilus Award, and the award for Best New Fiction at the American Fiction Awards.
Finally, his debut novel Waking Up At Rembrandt’s received national critical acclaim. The Midwest Book Review called it, “an impressive debut novel showcasing an undeniably talented and imaginative author.”
With all of his creative work, he seeks to bridge the worlds of literary and spiritual and to blur the lines between what is real and what is imagined. He also strives to create worlds where labels are difficult to affix. He loves Pablo Neruda’s poem Too Many Names.
Thomas lives in the high desert beauty of Northern Nevada, along with the children’s author Lynell Garfield and their son. You can follow his trail of words and other misadventures at www.tlqonline.com.
He is also a storyteller, podcaster, and the former owner of a music festival, as well as a former copywriter, a licensed attorney who has overturned two death sentences, and a one-time vagabond who used to wander the globe with a backpack and three changes of clothes.
What he means to say is that he is a human being who, so far, has done all these things. He’ll probably do more things not on this list.
His third book, Happiness Is an Imaginary Line in the Sand, is available for pre-order now. Release date is October 26, 2021.
Happiness Is an Imaginary Line in the Sand delivers a down-to-earth oracle to help decipher the riddles of modern life. It is convincing in its stubborn insistence that a better world is not only possible, but within our grasp.
His second novel Painted Oxen earned eight literary awards, including the Landmark Prize for Fiction, a Silver Nautilus Award, and the award for Best New Fiction at the American Fiction Awards.
Finally, his debut novel Waking Up At Rembrandt’s received national critical acclaim. The Midwest Book Review called it, “an impressive debut novel showcasing an undeniably talented and imaginative author.”
With all of his creative work, he seeks to bridge the worlds of literary and spiritual and to blur the lines between what is real and what is imagined. He also strives to create worlds where labels are difficult to affix. He loves Pablo Neruda’s poem Too Many Names.
Thomas lives in the high desert beauty of Northern Nevada, along with the children’s author Lynell Garfield and their son. You can follow his trail of words and other misadventures at www.tlqonline.com.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 23, 2019
Not the typical book I would read. I did enjoy this story line. Two men, centuries apart take the time to explore India. The men, seem to share experiences in part via dreams.
February 25, 2020
Can a book change your life? Yes.
Get a hold of this book and read it and you'll agree.
Get a hold of this book and read it and you'll agree.
August 16, 2019
Qualls brings forth a coming-of-age mystical tale where dream world unites with waking world, and the boundary between earthly and blessed is separated by dreams.
Set in ancient Tibet and modern-day India, Painted Oxen narrates the story of two men—an old Buddhist monk and a young backpacker—on parallel journeys centuries apart which converge together as the story progresses. Qualls brings his two protagonists to vivid life and conveys the underlying theme of the real transformation of the human heart with utter conviction and thoughtfulness. The character of Tibetan monk is portrayed with humility and sensitivity whereas the young backpacker wins readers’ hearts with his eccentric ways.
Qualls’s narrative is packed with satirical observations, sometimes to the verge of mockery, as the young backpacker narrates his trip through various towns and cities across India and describes the ways of Indian people as seen through his “foreigner eyes”. The narrative constantly shifts as the story is told in a different perspective, and Qualls expertly balance the story of the old monk’s search for the internal truth with the young backpacker’s quest for an indefinite objective.
Qualls skillfully handles the plot’s literary and spiritual elements to craft an inspiring tale. Between the old monk’s spiritual journey and the young man’s backpacking trip, Qualls deftly incorporates revealing seeds of wisdom. With its engrossing prose, morally ambiguous theme, and well-sketched characterization, fans of spiritual fiction will have plenty to enjoy. An inspired effort!
Set in ancient Tibet and modern-day India, Painted Oxen narrates the story of two men—an old Buddhist monk and a young backpacker—on parallel journeys centuries apart which converge together as the story progresses. Qualls brings his two protagonists to vivid life and conveys the underlying theme of the real transformation of the human heart with utter conviction and thoughtfulness. The character of Tibetan monk is portrayed with humility and sensitivity whereas the young backpacker wins readers’ hearts with his eccentric ways.
Qualls’s narrative is packed with satirical observations, sometimes to the verge of mockery, as the young backpacker narrates his trip through various towns and cities across India and describes the ways of Indian people as seen through his “foreigner eyes”. The narrative constantly shifts as the story is told in a different perspective, and Qualls expertly balance the story of the old monk’s search for the internal truth with the young backpacker’s quest for an indefinite objective.
Qualls skillfully handles the plot’s literary and spiritual elements to craft an inspiring tale. Between the old monk’s spiritual journey and the young man’s backpacking trip, Qualls deftly incorporates revealing seeds of wisdom. With its engrossing prose, morally ambiguous theme, and well-sketched characterization, fans of spiritual fiction will have plenty to enjoy. An inspired effort!
December 4, 2018
A Boundless, Golden Beauty Poem of Life
Siddhartha takes the Road Less Traveled and gloriously gets lost.
I have had the most intriguing adventures while wandering lost. There is a simple beauty to it. Choose that. Painted Oxen is a sweeping, exotic travelogue interlaced with secular prayer. It has a gentle, lyrical style. My take away: protect the innate divine spark. Don’t run from pain or be afraid to fail. Life is messy – embrace it.
Do not compromise what the soul needs. Desire inspires us to be brave, to dream, to create. Dream your world into being. Desire is our divine connection with the creative force of the universe. Pay special attention to the small gifts and miracles along the way.
No need for a pilgrimage to India, I walked barefoot through her colorful gates, tasted the sweet chai, worshipped at the sacred spiritual sites and have reached Satori.
~ Aimée Medina Carr, author of River of Love
Siddhartha takes the Road Less Traveled and gloriously gets lost.
I have had the most intriguing adventures while wandering lost. There is a simple beauty to it. Choose that. Painted Oxen is a sweeping, exotic travelogue interlaced with secular prayer. It has a gentle, lyrical style. My take away: protect the innate divine spark. Don’t run from pain or be afraid to fail. Life is messy – embrace it.
Do not compromise what the soul needs. Desire inspires us to be brave, to dream, to create. Dream your world into being. Desire is our divine connection with the creative force of the universe. Pay special attention to the small gifts and miracles along the way.
No need for a pilgrimage to India, I walked barefoot through her colorful gates, tasted the sweet chai, worshipped at the sacred spiritual sites and have reached Satori.
~ Aimée Medina Carr, author of River of Love
December 31, 2018
An intriguing trek through consciousness; one part adventure, one part mystical pilgrimage, one part internal journey. I was hooked from the first few pages, and continue to think about the story well after turning the last one. Highly recommended.
April 19, 2019
There’s so much wisdom in this book, on the surface and hidden in the story. I expect to read this again over the years as I feel myself called into periods of change.
July 11, 2020
Thoughtful
I found myself able to pick this up and get lost. The relatively short chapters lead me in, kept me guessing and wanting more. I reread many sections. This book was very enjoyable.
I found myself able to pick this up and get lost. The relatively short chapters lead me in, kept me guessing and wanting more. I reread many sections. This book was very enjoyable.
July 21, 2023
This book is brilliantly crafted, a truly transformative read, and "had" me from the start. One of the most uniquely structured books I've ever read, the storytelling is masterful, the language is exquisite, the writing voice(s) utterly engaging. Highly recommended.
June 7, 2022
not sure what i just read or why
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews