LONG QUIET HIGHWAY

This spiritual biography is primarily written as a tribute to Goldberg's Zen teacher, Katagari Roshi, and offers insight into the unique relationship between a Zen student and her teacher. Although the author's reading of a book such as this may provide an added dimension to the recollection recounted, in this case, any such benefit is quickly overshadowed by its singsong presentation, which quickly becomes very tedious. Following the book, there is an interview in which Goldberg allows herself to relax a bit, and she shows a slightly wider range of inflection, but she never totally breaks free. This is one book that would have been better served by a professional reader. J.E.M. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/MAR 01]