Reviews

Il libro del risveglio: Vita del Buddha by Jack Kerouac

ajkane's review against another edition

1.0

I'm not entirely sure what I've just read but I know I definitely didn't like it. Wouldn't have bothered finishing it if it wasn't the only book in my bag at work.

jakekilroy's review against another edition

3.0

There's no way I understood even half of this book. It was a great read if you're in the mindset, and you want buddhism broken down. But, at the same time, it didn't carry a lot of weight with me. I've never been religious, and I've barely been spiritual, so I take the real world as it is in a lot of instances. So, to me, things are obvious. I don't wonder about what things mean on a deeper level. My five sense are my five senses, and beyond that isn't a mystery. It's science. It's not a question of consciousness to me. I appreciate spiritual philosophy because I believe it makes good people better. It amazes the mind to wonder. It warms the soul to be in awe. But it's not often what I'm pursuing. To me, that's working backward in some ways. It's definitely not, and I know it's not, but I don't always have the patience with myself to be set free. Still, though, it's incredible to me that Kerouac wrote this (even if it's an adaptation of a whole lot of other people's text from centuries past. It just makes the world more open when you let it. But that ain't me, babe.

bradley_jf's review against another edition

2.0

This reads like the KJV and is about as clear as a mason jar full of mud.

If you're trying to decide between this and Siddhartha, go with Siddhartha. It's much more informative and uplifting.

msand3's review against another edition

3.0

Kerouac's retelling of the life of the Buddha was culled from his notes and published posthumously, so it's hard know whether he intended this to be a complete work or just his own personal sketch. The narrative traces the life of Prince Siddhartha from his early years as a wealthy aristocrat to his rejecting of the material world, his spiritual awakening, his gathering of followers, his teachings, his persecution from others attempting to discredit him, and his eventual death.

The text features repetitive syntax, especially when we get to the teachings, but this perhaps reflects both the oral traditions from which the tales were passed down and Kerouac's own notes. The book works as a brief introduction to the life and teachings of the Buddha, but I wouldn't call it authoritative. I imagine those who are well-studied in Buddhism wouldn't find much new or enlightening here. Ultimately, this book is for people who want to read deep into Kerouac's work and have already read [book:The Dharma Bums|412732] and [book:Desolation Angels|10461].

karolinas96's review against another edition

2.0

on page 95 of 146 I'm DNFing it. Can't believe it. Second book this year. But I just feel angry reading it. I was not expecting that and the fact that I can't get through the writing style combined with a weird interpretation of the story of Buddha. And I bought this book! Maybe I'll finish it someday but now - back on the shelf.

tod_b's review against another edition

5.0

Beautiful!

losethegirl's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective slow-paced

1.0

If I didn't have a personal policy against DNFing books, I would not have finished this book. I love Kerouac's poetry to death, but every time I attempt to read his prose, it feels like pulling teeth. It's not that I don't get it, I just can't stand it. I would not recommend.