The Last Guru

by Daniel Pinkwater

Book by Pinkwater, Daniel Manus

Genres: Fiction, Humor, Young Adult, Childrens, Middle Grade

128 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Daniel Manus Pinkwater is an author of mostly children's books and is an occasional commentator on National Public Radio. He attended Bard College. Well-known books include Lizard Music, The Snarkout Boys and the Avocado of Death, Fat Men from Space, Borgel, and the picture book The Big Orange Splot. Pinkwater has also illustrated many of his books in the past, although for more recent works that task has passed to his wife Jill Pinkwater.

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favorite books, I don't know how many times I've read it! There's so much going on here, from people's obsession with fame and fortune, to religious fads, to . . . just everything. Interestingly, though, my kids didn't find this as funny as LIZARD MUSIC, though personally I have always preferred it to that book. I wonder if they're just a little young, and don't get what's going on?

[Ellice · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I may have previously mentioned, I love Daniel Pinkwater. This book is no exception. While it is clearly a product of its time, it still weaves an entertaining tale of guru-ism as a business, entangled with fast food, horse racing, childhood, and fabulous wealth. If you are a Pinkwater fan, read it.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read over a dozen Pinkwater novels, and from the 5 Novels for the past three summers (my family and) I read a Pinkwater novel. The Last Guru started out well, but... well, I finished it ad it was pleasant. Delighted to know that Mr. Pinkwater is familiar with at least one work of James Hilton.

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

amazingly ridiculous book that is great for anyone who wants a silly, relaxing story, about a teen boy who becomes a millionaire in the most silly way!

[Steve Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book from my childhood that I chose to read myself and the first one (along with A House With A Clock in It's Walls) that I truly enjoyed. Date read is approximate.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a silly little book. It's not long and is a quick read. I feel like I should say more about it but that's all I have: it's very silly.

[Neil Troost · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great send up

[Krissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably my least favorite Pinkwater. Too much satire for me.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this little children's book today. I stumbled on it because I am working on a text with the same title, and this book is a great addition to the theme. It's really rather funny, a bit of a critique to modern idealisation of eastern meditation practices.

Edit:
And here's my text that I was writing when I stumbled on this book in my search for more info on the concept "last guru".

https://www.consideringlilies.nl/the-...

[Xander Amiel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book that I just finished is called The Last Guru by Daniel M. Pinkwater. It started off talking about Harold, and his Uncle Roy are like best friends. Uncle Roy is that kind of guy who spends money on horse races and at casinos. “It is mostly about a wish-fulfillment fantasy in which Harold Blatz, an otherwise ordinary boy who likes to build model boats and who generally keeps to himself, has the ability to quickly earn huge amounts money.” It takes money to make money, and at first he must work very hard to earn his big stash of cash, though it does not take him long to realize that he has the ability for knowing where best to invest and for choosing the best people to help him make these investments. He soon recieves great power as he becomes the third richest human being on Earth. “Despite this vast fortune, he remains the same modest, compassionate, and good-hearted person whose favorite hobby is building models and who wants to help people when he can.”

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Pinkwater book back in the late 1970's and it ruined me for life. Never again would I settle for average books with average plots populated by average characters. Finding Pinkwater is akin to finding a gourmet restaurant when you've only experienced IHOP for your entire life...it changes everything.

I'm re-reading all of Pinkwater's novels in 2014 and I'm starting with the book that started it for me.

It's a five star book only because that's as high as I'm allowed to give it - if I had to be stuck on a desert island for the rest of my life and could only bring one author's books with me - Daniel Pinkwater is what I would bring.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this short novel several times as a kid and enjoyed its zany characters and madcap plot -- who could forget Harold Blatz, Hamish MacTavish and Armand Vermin? -- so when I found a used copy I decided to revisit it. Clearly I missed a lot of the satire back then, but that only added to my enjoyment of it this time around!

[Ashutosh Sahu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really deserves ten stars. After reading it, you or your child will understand the folly of both money and new-wave fad religion. It is also one of the few books that openly acknowledges Pinkwaters' deep interest in Buddhism and New Age, which are running themes throughout many of his books.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because I read it, it's awesome.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

humorous yet profound lesson on the cult of gurus for readers of all ages.

[Glen Engel-Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the satire, while obvious, in The Last Guru quite effective.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming YA tale with a good message about the role of gurus in society.