After being involved in a car accident, Andy quits her job in the corporate world and moves to a rural retreat centre. "South of Nirvana" chronicles her day-to-day life as she encounters thought-provoking Buddhist teachings, some wacky characters, and the more difficult side of being Andy. She also finds out that there are many not-so-enlightened gurus around, while the true teachers may at times be hidden in the background. Lighthearted, irreverent, serious and scholarly, this is the first Buddhist novel to come out of Africa, and perhaps the first exposé of retreat-centre life. The story poignantly illustrates the need to balance spiritual ideals with material reality, and will appeal to readers with an interest in Buddhism, Eastern philosophy, or South Africa. Author Sue Randall has an MA in research psychology and she has lived at a Buddhist retreat centre for the past four years. 425 pages. For book excerpt, see www.mystory.co.za.