Crooked Cucumber cover art

Crooked Cucumber

The Life and Zen Teaching of Shunryu Suzuki

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Crooked Cucumber

By: David Chadwick
Narrated by: David Chadwick
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About this listen

Shunryu Suzuki, author of the beloved classic Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind, is lovingly remembered as one of the greatest spiritual teachers of the 20th century - whose legacy is felt in every facet of American Zen. This monumental biography of Suzuki, written and read by his student David Chadwick, weaves together a rich tapestry of stories and memories of Suzuki’s students, family, and friends. In this updated and revised audiobook edition, Chadwick also offers rare excerpts from archived recordings of Suzuki’s teachings in the great Zen master's own voice.

©1999 David Chadwick (P)2021 Shambhala Publications Buddhism Eastern Philosophy Student Zen Buddhism

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a great life lived by a very humble zen priest who showed the world the way

wonderful book

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Well written biography of the life of a very interesting man. Some have complained about the narration but I personally found the reading added to the story…it’s like being told it by a friend and the emotion in his voice really does add to the content.

Thank you.

Brilliant story of the life of Suzuki Roshi

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If you ever needed a reason why authors shouldn’t be allowed to read their own work, this is it.
If he’s not laughing at a joke he hasn’t read yet, he’s crying.

Absolutely terrible narration

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A wonderful book, full of love, wisdom, laughter and pathos.
Possibly the only audio book in existence where the narrator (and author) laughs and cries at the memories they are sharing with the audience. There is much to learn and marvel at here. The blend humanity and deep spiritual practice offers hope, peace and inspiration. Thank you.

A Rare and Precious Gem

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The narration is quirky and informal but I love it. Some listeners may be irritated by the amateur reading, but to me it feels intimate and genuine by someone who knew the man. Seems so appropriate for the subject.

Fascinating Biography

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highly recommend this narrative approach... and need 10 more words, words, words, words, words, words :-)

the narration was wonderful

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Unfortunately the mumbling narration which at times seemed to be short of breath, made this difficult to listen to. I also found his forced chuckling cringe worthy and distracting and the emotional outburst indulgent and inappropriate. Regretfully I had to give up on this book long before the end.

ruined by narrator

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