Rating: 
Summary: LOVED THIS BOOK!
Review: "The Monk Downstairs" is my new favorite book. I bought it because my local independent bookstore's newsletter equated it with Anne Tyler's style of writing. Not a bad comparison, by any means, but deceptive because Tim Farrington has his own unique voice. The characters were well drawn and the writing was superb, but not overdone. Best of all, I felt compelled to keep reading because I really wanted to see what happened next. I've literally bought several copies and pressed them into the hands of friends and urged them to read it. So far, they all concur.
Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful and engaging
Review: A beautiful story of two souls in search of rebirth. It reminded me, in a curious way, of Hermann Hesse's Narziss und Goldmund.
Rating:
Summary: Charming
Review: As soon as I read the beginning of this book, when the ex-monk , Michael Christopher, moved into an apartment in the home of Rebecca, a single mother, I figured that it would be a predictable "boy meets girl" kind of book.Well, it was a "boy meets girl" book but it was anything but predictable. The quirky baggage-laiden characters and difficult situations reminded me of Anne Tyler's writing, which I love. The book was not overly detailed nor overwritten; the dialogue was realistic; and the characters were very appealing. The warm and honestly rendered story was full of hope and everyday spirituality, written in such lovely language. Michael and Rebecca, as well as her daughter Mary Martha, are delightful, real, and engaging characters - and so are the "minor" characters. Farrington's portrayal of their day-to-day life struggles will endear these folks to all who read the book.
Rating:
Summary: Charming
Review: As soon as I read the beginning of this book, when the ex-monk , Michael Christopher, moved into an apartment in the home of Rebecca, a single mother, I figured that it would be a predictable "boy meets girl" kind of book. Well, it was a "boy meets girl" book but it was anything but predictable. The quirky baggage-laiden characters and difficult situations reminded me of Anne Tyler's writing, which I love. The book was not overly detailed nor overwritten; the dialogue was realistic; and the characters were very appealing. The warm and honestly rendered story was full of hope and everyday spirituality, written in such lovely language. Michael and Rebecca, as well as her daughter Mary Martha, are delightful, real, and engaging characters - and so are the "minor" characters. Farrington's portrayal of their day-to-day life struggles will endear these folks to all who read the book.
Rating:
Summary: The Glass Half Empty
Review: Do we reach a point in our thirties when we look at our lives as glasses that are half empty? The Monk Downstairs is a warm little novel that explores that period when a man and a woman wonder if this is all there is to life. Rebecca is a single mom who is lonely, and not too happy with her job as a graphic artist. Michael has left a monastery where, for twenty years, he had dedicated himself to the contemplative life. Michael rents a small apartment in the basement of Rebeccca's home, and you can easily guess what develops from that arrangement. This is a pleasant, feel good romance, and you are pleased that two souls find a growing happiness in each other's company. From one standpoint Michael is an ideal find: he and 6 year old Mary Martha get along perfectly. The daughter Mary Martha's name is symbolic for Michael's spiritual dilemma. In a New Testament passage Martha bustles around the house doing her chores while Mary sits at the feet of Jesus. Is it best to spend one's life contemplating God, or should one find God through an active life in the world? Mr. Farrington presents his tale in a way that successfully stays away from being overtly sentimental. Some obstacles are encountered including near tragedy. The only formulaic part of the story is encountered in the Hollywood tradition where two people meet, enjoy a budding relationship, spat and separate, and then reunite. Do Michael and Rebecca find happiness together? Well, gosh, you can tell almost immediately that the author is not one who enjoys sticking pins in his character dolls. The pleasure of the story lies in its interesting plot and characters. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Rating:
Summary: A good read
Review: Finished it in one day. Pleasant, laughable moments. Doesn't take itself too seriously on the "monk" front. A bit formulaic, but well written by this male author.
Rating:
Summary: book taught me about love
Review: Five stars are not enough!
This story did everything I want a book to: I came away a little more enlightened about love and about life. I know you don't want to hear personal details but this book actually had an impact in my life. I loved how this story introduced us to a relationship born in quiet moments, and just two people genuinely liking each other. I loved the authenticity. As a single/never-married female nearing 30, I could've almost cried when I read this book, because I had to learn from a work of fiction that it's possible for men and women to actually be honest together and love each other.
It made me believe in love again. [edited]
Addendum, 6-7-03:
Part of the reason the book touched me so is because both 'Fulmar' and 'Christopher' reminded me poignantly of an old friend. I looked him up soon after; we've been involved for about three months, and I'm just amazed and continue to be so. You don't expect a novel to help you find love, but there it is. :)
Rating:
Summary: Completely enjoyable read
Review: How refreshing it is to read an intelligent romance about smart, imperfect people just trying to make a life for themselves. I found all the characters well-developed and likeable even in their bad moments ... very real. Rebecca's mother is especially charming as a secondary character, as is the ex-husband -- the boy who refused to grow up. And the monk, Mike, provided the perfect spiritual balance -- without being too religious -- to Rebecca's synicism. Mike's letters to his fellow monk, who was otherwise unintroduced, were welcome interjections that help the reader get to know the character. Unlike a previous reviewer, I did not snooze through one page -- found it completely charming, witty and insightful. (I was a little distracted by the author's inconsistency in referring to the monk -- sometimes as Mike and sometimes as Christopher. I'm not sure if Michael was his first name and Christopher was his last name, or if he had a double name like Mary Martha. Insignificant in the long run, but a little distracting.)
Rating:
Summary: The thinking woman's Bridget Jones...
Review: I just read and adored Tim Farrington's "The Monk Downstairs." I found it very difficult to put down, and finished it a 48 hour period. Although on surface it seems to follow a common boy-meets-girl storyline, in fact it fully transcends the romance genre. In the same way falling in love for real feels better than fake movie love, this book is better than fairy tale romances because it is more real. Its realness is most evident in the fact that the book avoids throwing unnecessary plot complications at the couple, but instead lets their problems spring from the differences in their personalities and goals. Spoiler alert (skip to paragraph 4 if you don't want to know what happens): 38- year old Rebecca has reached a stage where the last thing she needs is romance. She has had it twice, with her irresponsible ex-husband Rory, and most recently with her boyfriend Bob. Bob, who has learned everything he knows about life from reading self help books, is a far too impractical man to fit into Rebecca's life. Enter Michael Christopher, a man who has recently left behind his life as a contemplative monk for reasons that become clear in an ongoing correspondance between him and his former abbot. Michael no longer needs spiritual solitude in the same way Rebecca no longer needs romance; they both feel the need for something more. As it turns out, what they both need is companionship and commitment. Farrington deftly gets inside the motivations and needs of both his characters, and shows just how hard it can be, even when you are in love, to make a commitment work. In the process we come to know and care about both of these characters, and their happy ending is entirely earned. The book also is a very nice exploration of spirituality in a secular world, and its power in the lives of those who don't even identify as religious. "The Monk Downstairs" is a lovely book and great discovery. It will appeal to readers of Elizabeth Berg, Jennifer Weiner, Meg Wolitzer, and to fans of the show "Gilmore Girls".
Rating:
Summary: The thinking woman's Bridget Jones...
Review: I just read and adored Tim Farrington's "The Monk Downstairs." I found it very difficult to put down, and finished it a 48 hour period. Although on surface it seems to follow a common boy-meets-girl storyline, in fact it fully transcends the romance genre. In the same way falling in love for real feels better than fake movie love, this book is better than fairy tale romances because it is more real. Its realness is most evident in the fact that the book avoids throwing unnecessary plot complications at the couple, but instead lets their problems spring from the differences in their personalities and goals. Spoiler alert (skip to paragraph 4 if you don't want to know what happens): 38- year old Rebecca has reached a stage where the last thing she needs is romance. She has had it twice, with her irresponsible ex-husband Rory, and most recently with her boyfriend Bob. Bob, who has learned everything he knows about life from reading self help books, is a far too impractical man to fit into Rebecca's life. Enter Michael Christopher, a man who has recently left behind his life as a contemplative monk for reasons that become clear in an ongoing correspondance between him and his former abbot. Michael no longer needs spiritual solitude in the same way Rebecca no longer needs romance; they both feel the need for something more. As it turns out, what they both need is companionship and commitment. Farrington deftly gets inside the motivations and needs of both his characters, and shows just how hard it can be, even when you are in love, to make a commitment work. In the process we come to know and care about both of these characters, and their happy ending is entirely earned. The book also is a very nice exploration of spirituality in a secular world, and its power in the lives of those who don't even identify as religious. "The Monk Downstairs" is a lovely book and great discovery. It will appeal to readers of Elizabeth Berg, Jennifer Weiner, Meg Wolitzer, and to fans of the show "Gilmore Girls".
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