A charming philosophical gem with plenty of heart.
Neely’s delightful collection of brief, interconnected stories explores Zen and Taoist wisdom through the everyday experiences of two unlikely friends. In “The Buried Seed,” Bear’s impatience with a slow-growing seed becomes a lesson in presence and patience, while “The Forgotten Net” explores his attachment to a keepsake from his grandfather.
“The Impossible Move” considers loss and the courage to keep going; “The Settling” finds clarity in muddy creek water; and “The Space Between Plans” discovers value in an afternoon that refuses to follow Bear’s schedule. Neely handles the philosophical material with appealing informality. Bear’s earnest tendency to overthink plays neatly against Cat’s dry humor and intuitive understanding of acceptance, as each takes a turn guiding the other. Their affectionate exchanges give the episodic collection a strong through line, while recurring details—the checkerboard, blue notebook, garden, and creek—build a convincing shared life. Physical details and comic mishaps keep potentially abstract ideas approachable, while references to Zen and Taoist teachings add context without requiring prior knowledge.
Readers drawn to quiet wisdom, gentle humor, and memorable companionship will feel right at home.
***
Cresting Wave Publishing
Pub date
ISBN 1956048359, 9781956048353
Genre Philosophy, Spirituality
