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The Last Laugh
"I give you ten days, starting today. I will show you all you need to see. It is up to you…" Matt Thomson's life has become a bad joke. With Christmas just around the corner, he's lost his job, his car, his house, his wife and kids, and even the front door key to his buddy's attic room where he now sleeps. Matt is a hair's breadth from a leap off a high bridge into the welcome oblivion of icy waters. But a seemingly random encounter with a coffee shop Goddess instead dumps Matt into the lap of a very unlikely guru. Meet Joey ex-Merchant Marine, entrepreneur, teacher, wild man. His idea of a good time is playing Blind Man's baseball on the edge of a cliff. Joey takes Matt on the roller-coaster ride of his life, a ten day adventure dodging cop cars, debunking Mother Divine, visiting paradise artfully disguised as Taco Bell, and trading intimate secrets with total strangers. Matt is reluctantly forced to shed old ideas like so many layers of skin, and he comes to love and trust his nemesis in the process. Joey does succeed in showing Matt most of what he needs to see, but in the end it is up to Matt to discover the ultimate punch-line for himself.
- GenresSpirituality
Paperback
First published May 1, 2013
7 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
About the author
Arjuna Ardagh
44 books17 followersArjuna Ardagh (born on May 3, 1957 in London) is an author, speaker and founder of the Awakening Coaching Training in Nevada City, California, a training program dedicated to "the awakening of consciousness within the context of ordinary life."
Ardagh was educated in England, at The King's School, Canterbury, and later at Cambridge University, where he earned a master’s degree in literature.[1] After graduating from Cambridge, Ardagh studied and lived with a number of spiritual teachers, both in Asia and in the United States. In 1987 he founded the Alchemy Institute in Seattle, Washington, and trained several hundred people as counsellors.[citation needed] In 1991 he went to India for a two-week vacation and met H. W. L. Poonja, a direct devotee of Ramana Maharshi.[citation needed]
In 1995 Ardagh developed the Living Essence Training. Ardagh is a member of the Transformational Leadership Council, a private members' organisation for motivational speakers. He speaks at international conferences, and has appeared on TV, on the radio, and in print media. He also teaches the Deeper Love seminars with his Norwegian wife, Chameli Gad Ardagh. They live in Nevada City, California with his two sons.
Ardagh was educated in England, at The King's School, Canterbury, and later at Cambridge University, where he earned a master’s degree in literature.[1] After graduating from Cambridge, Ardagh studied and lived with a number of spiritual teachers, both in Asia and in the United States. In 1987 he founded the Alchemy Institute in Seattle, Washington, and trained several hundred people as counsellors.[citation needed] In 1991 he went to India for a two-week vacation and met H. W. L. Poonja, a direct devotee of Ramana Maharshi.[citation needed]
In 1995 Ardagh developed the Living Essence Training. Ardagh is a member of the Transformational Leadership Council, a private members' organisation for motivational speakers. He speaks at international conferences, and has appeared on TV, on the radio, and in print media. He also teaches the Deeper Love seminars with his Norwegian wife, Chameli Gad Ardagh. They live in Nevada City, California with his two sons.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 1, 2013
During a search on NetGalley, I came across this intriguing little book – many thanks to them and Hay House titles for an advanced readers copy. As you can see from the synopsis, how can you not be drawn in and curious about this story? And the beginning starts with a bang… a suicidal man who has lost his job, his wife, his children and his house, and just wants to end it all by jumping off a bridge. But he doesn’t. Instead he goes to a late-night cafe where an enigmatic waitress slips him a phone number, sensing his misery. The phone number turns out to belong to Joey, a sort of “guru,” who offers Matt training and guidance to help get his life back on track.
The book then details Matt’s journey back into happiness helped by Joey, a strange philosophical master who seems to have seen and done almost everything (apart from being arrested and jumping out of a plane), with almost everyone – top of the name droppers includes Marilyn Monroe and JFK. To be honest, some parts of the book didn’t sit right with me as it seemed to be incredibly spirtual and new-agey, but to other people with an interest in the field I can see that it would be quite fascinating. The blurb at the end states that the author is an “Awakening Coach” which “focuses on how to integrate spirtual awakening with discovering and giving your unique gift to the world,” therefore he obviously has a deep passion and knowledge on the subject.
Please see my full review at http://www.bibliobeth.wordpress.com
The book then details Matt’s journey back into happiness helped by Joey, a strange philosophical master who seems to have seen and done almost everything (apart from being arrested and jumping out of a plane), with almost everyone – top of the name droppers includes Marilyn Monroe and JFK. To be honest, some parts of the book didn’t sit right with me as it seemed to be incredibly spirtual and new-agey, but to other people with an interest in the field I can see that it would be quite fascinating. The blurb at the end states that the author is an “Awakening Coach” which “focuses on how to integrate spirtual awakening with discovering and giving your unique gift to the world,” therefore he obviously has a deep passion and knowledge on the subject.
Please see my full review at http://www.bibliobeth.wordpress.com
January 23, 2019
The book began well and soon started to drag. About the time I started to give up, the book began to flow again. This is a sad book. My life situation very likely colored my evaluation.
December 4, 2018
Surprising spiritual journey book.
May 24, 2013
The Last Laugh by Arjuna Ardagh is the story of Matt and his meeting and interactions with Joey, a lively old man - white beard and all - who in ten lessons gives him the key not only to living a more aware and engaged life, but also to getting his life back on track.
When Matt meets Joey, he has lost his job, all his money, his wife and his children (they're staying with her father). He's at the lowest point in his life, a perfect place to let go of the habits that keep him bound so he can begin to live his life as it presents itself here and now.
This visionary fiction has much wisdom in it. It's the kind of book you read when you want more than just a story, and something more entertaining than a self-help book. It's the kind of story that could be dull in less deft hands, but Ardagh writes well and moves the story along a a good pace with a healthy mix of elements that keep you reading. His characterisation is excellent and Matt's journey very realistic. There's even a hint that it might be a true story, not that it matters. What is truth after all?
A large part of the interest in the story is the character of Joey. You never know quite what he's going to say or do, and yet everything that happens is exactly the kind of thing that can happen with such a master. He reminds me of several Tibetan Lamas that I've met, and, apart from having hair, is not unlike the mountain guide in my Diamond Peak series.
The wisdom in the book is true to all genuine traditions, but there were a few little gems that stood out for me.
'The real teacher is not a person, it's a meeting.' There's many levels to that one.
'Just like me.' When you complain about someone else and say that they are this or that, add the words just like me at the end of your sentence and see how it feels and what it tells you. A simple but effective method of breaking down barriers.
It's a quiet book that leaves you feeling light and joyful. In fact you might just laugh out loud. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys visionary fiction. If you liked 'The Way of the Peaceful Warrior,' you'll enjoy this.
I received a copy of this book free of charge from the publisher in return for an honest review.
When Matt meets Joey, he has lost his job, all his money, his wife and his children (they're staying with her father). He's at the lowest point in his life, a perfect place to let go of the habits that keep him bound so he can begin to live his life as it presents itself here and now.
This visionary fiction has much wisdom in it. It's the kind of book you read when you want more than just a story, and something more entertaining than a self-help book. It's the kind of story that could be dull in less deft hands, but Ardagh writes well and moves the story along a a good pace with a healthy mix of elements that keep you reading. His characterisation is excellent and Matt's journey very realistic. There's even a hint that it might be a true story, not that it matters. What is truth after all?
A large part of the interest in the story is the character of Joey. You never know quite what he's going to say or do, and yet everything that happens is exactly the kind of thing that can happen with such a master. He reminds me of several Tibetan Lamas that I've met, and, apart from having hair, is not unlike the mountain guide in my Diamond Peak series.
The wisdom in the book is true to all genuine traditions, but there were a few little gems that stood out for me.
'The real teacher is not a person, it's a meeting.' There's many levels to that one.
'Just like me.' When you complain about someone else and say that they are this or that, add the words just like me at the end of your sentence and see how it feels and what it tells you. A simple but effective method of breaking down barriers.
It's a quiet book that leaves you feeling light and joyful. In fact you might just laugh out loud. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys visionary fiction. If you liked 'The Way of the Peaceful Warrior,' you'll enjoy this.
I received a copy of this book free of charge from the publisher in return for an honest review.
August 14, 2016
I was going to write even before I got to the end that this is the most inspiring book I have read in a very long time. But I couldn’t put the book down.
I am still saying that after I finished. But the last few chapters threw me a bit off. Everything up to there was very clear, helpful, convincing and happening at a steady flow. Towards the end, it felt a bit too busy and staged (at least for my taste).
I love the subject and believe that we create our own reality just like Joey teaches Matt in this story. The lessons Matt learns are very well thought out and described. I am pretty sure that almost everybody can relate to all or some of them. After reading many books about the law of attraction and the power of the mind, I enjoyed the The Last Laugh very much as a reminder and as a guide for the practical application in everyday life. If it weren’t for the last few chapters, I would say it’s a non-fiction account in refreshing non-fiction disguise. But then, what is really real? One of the most important messages I learned from Joey is: “So, the lack of perfection I feel here is not real, is it?” (in Matt’s words).
I had a very interesting aha moment and now just have to come back to my review and revise it. I couldn’t stop wondering what bothered me so much about the last chapters. It wasn’t the ending per se but the way it unfolded. My bewilderment led me to this insight, Matt’s last lesson: it’s all there; the possibilities are endless. It took me a little longer to get it, and that’s the only ‘lack of perfection’ - if there is any. What an AHA! What a fantastic book! I could have just rewritten my review. But that wouldn’t have been as exciting as sharing my own last laugh.
I am still saying that after I finished. But the last few chapters threw me a bit off. Everything up to there was very clear, helpful, convincing and happening at a steady flow. Towards the end, it felt a bit too busy and staged (at least for my taste).
I love the subject and believe that we create our own reality just like Joey teaches Matt in this story. The lessons Matt learns are very well thought out and described. I am pretty sure that almost everybody can relate to all or some of them. After reading many books about the law of attraction and the power of the mind, I enjoyed the The Last Laugh very much as a reminder and as a guide for the practical application in everyday life. If it weren’t for the last few chapters, I would say it’s a non-fiction account in refreshing non-fiction disguise. But then, what is really real? One of the most important messages I learned from Joey is: “So, the lack of perfection I feel here is not real, is it?” (in Matt’s words).
I had a very interesting aha moment and now just have to come back to my review and revise it. I couldn’t stop wondering what bothered me so much about the last chapters. It wasn’t the ending per se but the way it unfolded. My bewilderment led me to this insight, Matt’s last lesson: it’s all there; the possibilities are endless. It took me a little longer to get it, and that’s the only ‘lack of perfection’ - if there is any. What an AHA! What a fantastic book! I could have just rewritten my review. But that wouldn’t have been as exciting as sharing my own last laugh.
March 12, 2013
Matt Thomson was on top of the world, until one day, after some bad choices and everything came crashing down. Matt lost his job, his money, his family, his self-respect and almost lost his life. Joey Murphy, an ex-Merchant Marine, entrepreneur, and teacher, enters his life. With a mysterious air about him, Joey somehow hooks Matt into a deal, claiming to be able to show Matt how to change his life and get back on track. Through ten days of often strange and and dangerous adventures, Joey teaches Matt to change his inner being, become more open and honest with himself, open up to others, and accept and give love, no strings attached. What Matt does with these gifts is up to him.
I have to say, this is a totally different kind of reading for me. I was drawn to the mysterious and mystical air of the book, the acceptance of all of the many strange characters, but honestly, Joey was kind of scary to me, a little too off the grid, even though his message to Matt was, in essence, very enlightening.
This ARC edition (second release) was provided by NetGalley and Hay House Visions in exchange for my honest review. Publication Date: May 1, 2013
Please look for more reviews at:
I have to say, this is a totally different kind of reading for me. I was drawn to the mysterious and mystical air of the book, the acceptance of all of the many strange characters, but honestly, Joey was kind of scary to me, a little too off the grid, even though his message to Matt was, in essence, very enlightening.
This ARC edition (second release) was provided by NetGalley and Hay House Visions in exchange for my honest review. Publication Date: May 1, 2013
Please look for more reviews at:
November 11, 2013
Arjuna Ardagh's novel The Last Laugh depicts the transformation of consciousness in all its glory. Much can be written about spiritual speakers and their followers, but in the end what matters most is how wisdom is integrated into the body and how it changes you in the process. The Last Laugh, to me, describes a process that not only changes lives, but is all too rare. Yes, it's a novel, but the connections between people and the presence within one's soul are real...and they last beyond the reading of this book.
March 19, 2013
So uplifting, so real, so wonderful. He hits rock bottom, considers jumping off a bridge, then he meets Joey. Things get crazy, things get weird, things get better. New life. My favorite part in the book, without spoiling anything, when Joey dipped his finger in his chocolate milk and touched the paper. Read it people!
January 3, 2014
This is the story of Matt Thomson, who meets a new friend and mentor, Joey, who helps Matt to get his life back on track after a big mistake costs him his family, including his job, his money, and his home. I really enjoyed reading the book. It had some funny moments, as well as some moments that would more likely make the reader shed a tear.
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March 6, 2014Read
April 18, 2016You must stand up for yourself and for others when you meet bullies. A cute book about bullies: You get what you deserve.
October 15, 2016
Almost all of this book is completely wise and wonderful. Almost all. The ending -- um... that just felt contrived and strained.
March 30, 2017
What a beautiful and enlightening book. You don't just read the words but absorb them so they stay with you.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews