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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
I thought the book was brilliant. Very well written, it affords the reader a chance to delve into depths of thought most often not visited. It was certainly a challenge, at least for me. I found myself having to re-read some passages to make sure I was getting the whole meaning. It's a work to be absorbed and contemplated. I'm very glad I read it, it was well worth it. I highly recommend it. A mind expanding experience the whole way through.
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
reflective
tense
slow-paced
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not really sure what to say about this book. I like certain aspects, others were dull, I don't know how I feel.
This book is in a category of its own. It's part autobiography, part philosophy (breaking apart Western philosophy and matching it up with Eastern). On top of that it forces you to take a deeper look at insanity. All of this is integrated into a setting of a motorcycle road trip. Fascinating!
The one thing that bothered me is that the book only addresses men by extensively using 'he'. The book is written in the 60s, or early 70s (first came out in 1974) so apparently women couldn't be mechanics. The times have changed and so should the pronouns. Besides, motorcycle maintenance is an allegory, and the lessons can be applied to any activity.
Nonetheless, I highly recommend this book.
The one thing that bothered me is that the book only addresses men by extensively using 'he'. The book is written in the 60s, or early 70s (first came out in 1974) so apparently women couldn't be mechanics. The times have changed and so should the pronouns. Besides, motorcycle maintenance is an allegory, and the lessons can be applied to any activity.
Nonetheless, I highly recommend this book.
The narrators analysis of his relationship with Chris's is great. The applied ideas of "value traps" are interesting too.
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is certainly more of an art piece than an actual novel. Or more of a metaphor. A better title would be Intro to Countering Western Philosophy and the Mechanistic interpretation. It is a philosophical treaty poorly disguised as a travel journal with some action and narration to provide examples or entry points for the treaty and its dialectics. Which is why you will see extremely polar reviews: you will either love it or hate it. I do think that reading this book without some background in philosophy or Eastern spirituality will not go down well. But once you have that, it is a joy to read. I could not stop but feel like reading the rumination of a brilliant mind that struggles with the nature of reality just reflected my own thoughts, like I would look in a mirror. The analysis of Quality is something that significantly changes you if you let it. The important thing is that this book must feel like a reflection of your own struggles, and that is when it becomes a valuable guide. If not, then it is useless and a waste of time. I nevertheless encourage you to try it. You never know what you will find.