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There are currently 19 member reviews
for The Devoted
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Laure R. (Fresno, CA)
The Devoted
Nicole becomes drawn strongly to Buddhism while still a teenager. Her home is not a happy one. Her mother is a very devoted Catholic and has raised her children in this religion. Her mother also suffers lengthy severe attacks of depression and subjects Nicole and her older brother to all that entails.
Thus begins her journey, first as a teen runaway and later an adult, running towards and immersing herself in the Buddhist faith. She also becomes the victim of sexual abuse through her lengthy involvement with a Zen master.
The author skillfully and beautifully shares a good deal about the religion itself along the way that I found most interesting. She also includes glimpses of Catholicism, equally of interest and well written.
I was unable to become invested in Nicole's life because I simply didn't like her enough. I found some of the other characters portrayed to be thinly described, very sad and, therefore, not easy for me to become involved with, as well. I well may have experienced these feelings because of the long term abuse portrayed.
I hope you will consider reading this book. The writing is definitely above average.
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Betty B. (Irving, TX)
Finding Enlightenment
This book asks what one will sacrifice to find enlightenment. I'm sure many readers will find this book itself enlightening, but for me I grew weary of the Buddhist stories and writings. I did finish the book because I was interested in Nicole Hennessy's journey and wanted to know where her journey would end and if she would find the security and love she was searching for.
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Henry W. (Lake Barrington, IL)
Journey to freedom from?
The author has the reader follow Nicole on three journeys. The first from an intensely Christian family to Buddhism against the backdrop of the Boston church scandal. Secondly a journey through Buddhism to self realization. And finally a escape from sexual domination. Each of these journey has a common thread which will keep the reader engaged and at times wondering will Nicole ever learn. The author develops the key characters quite well. The reader will learn something about Buddhism but not enough to adequately differentiate it from other religions. A little slow paced but the movement is continuous. The author leaves one wondering to what extent the book is autobiographical. A worthwhile read to be sure.
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Gary R. (Bolingbrook, IL)
The price of being free
An interesting read about a woman searching for something, something maybe unattainable. The story of Nicole, raised in a catholic family in Boston and looking for something more, turning to Zen Buddhism, getting involved with her "master", and running away to start over in another city, never quite able to break away completely. Beautiful writing is what sets this apart from similar books; give it a read, it will draw you in!
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Jane B. (Chicago, IL)
Devotion has a blind side
Blair Hurley is a good writer. Her sentences are clear and concise and her explanation of concepts enlightening. The book felt claustrophobic however, because Nicole is the character most fully explored and the people around her seem like paper cut outs that she wanders through. Sean and Paul seem quite alike, both good Catholic boys. Jules and the Master both bad boys. Nicole and her mother, two women devoted to the religion of their choice. It would have been good to know more about Mom before the end of the book for the contrast or not of the devout. The Master in New York might be equal to the priest in Boston who kept Paul off the camping trip. Jocelyn was the character that I found hardest to believe in. She has a baby and a husband but has infinite time to just listen to Nicole. The information about Buddhism and the koans were very interesting. Probably the most informative and understandable descriptions I have ever read. Though it is more familiar, the descriptions of Catholic ritual was also well done.
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Liz D. (East Falmouth, MA)
Seeking Truth
The Devoted by Blair Hurley is not my usual choice of book to read. It is a story of a rebellious girl who turns away from her family and her faith not really knowing what she actually seeks. Without the persistence of her brother who repeatedly seeks Nicole out and brings her back to her roots Nicole would have been lost.
The Buddhist faith is very complicated and is not presented very favorably in most of the book. The characters were not fully realized and some were not to believable. I realize this was a depiction of a teens journey to adulthood but it was hard to read with no character who was sympathetic. In the end I was glad the book was finished.
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Lori L. (La Porte, IN)
Searching
The narrator is searching for meaning and transcendence, first in the Catholic upbringing she received, then as a run-away in the drug-fueled culture of the homeless, and finally in Zen Buddhism. In each of these situations, a strong "other" (her mother, Jules, and her "Master") exert a sort of control over her. It isn't until she is able to break free of the confines of each situation that she is able to find what she has been searching for. An interesting exploration about religious dogma, guilt, and what it means to be devout.
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