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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Had a hard time getting through it but felt he made some valid points.
It’s hard to rate because I don’t know whether to rate it based on how enjoyable it was, whether I agreed or not, or whether I think people should read it.
Ultimately, I enjoyed it and I think people should read it, though he’s a pretty shit dad.
Ultimately, I enjoyed it and I think people should read it, though he’s a pretty shit dad.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book as the Author intended 1/5 stars.
This book as a horror novel 5/5 stars.
In between the philosophical ramblings, this book reads like a horror novel. It was clearly not the author's intent to create a psychological thriller, and I think that makes the experience even better.
When the narrator isn’t waxing philosophical, he is retelling a road trip he took with his son. For the entire trip,the father is dealing with a mental health issue which is presented as if it’s something supernatural, shrouded in mystery. Which leads to the poor kid being constantly subjected to abuse (which is not recognised by the author as such). Honestly, the narrator’s behaviour reads like a character from a Stephen King novel.
When the book is focusing on philosophy, it is incredibly self-aggrandising. It feels as though the author genuinely considered himself to be a modern day Aristotle. He congratulates himself throughout the book on his own great ideas, and it seems like he expected the reader to do the same. He makes it so easy to hate him, which cements the narrator as a villain.
This book as a horror novel 5/5 stars.
In between the philosophical ramblings, this book reads like a horror novel. It was clearly not the author's intent to create a psychological thriller, and I think that makes the experience even better.
When the narrator isn’t waxing philosophical, he is retelling a road trip he took with his son. For the entire trip,
When the book is focusing on philosophy, it is incredibly self-aggrandising. It feels as though the author genuinely considered himself to be a modern day Aristotle. He congratulates himself throughout the book on his own great ideas, and it seems like he expected the reader to do the same. He makes it so easy to hate him, which cements the narrator as a villain.
Not the easiest read, but I find myself thinking about the lessons taught in this book often.
I believe certain ideas could have been expressed in a more direct way without the confusing language employed at parts in this book. I found the author's explanation of Euclid's Fifth Postulate was especially needlessly confusing for what is a relatively simple topic.
I would still recommend this book if you have an interest in philosophy and are willing to put up with a difficult read.
I believe certain ideas could have been expressed in a more direct way without the confusing language employed at parts in this book. I found the author's explanation of Euclid's Fifth Postulate was especially needlessly confusing for what is a relatively simple topic.
I would still recommend this book if you have an interest in philosophy and are willing to put up with a difficult read.
2 chapters in and I felt it was going to be my 2nd best book. Midway it became too heavy. But by the end I was back to the same feeling. An amazing tale of a motorcycle journey, father-son relationship and inquiry about things. It may seem didactic to some but I felt the question take hold of me more than the answers.
And I have been reading vociferously finishing one book after another. On Kindle app mostly for last 4 years. Counting pages to end. But after a long time I read this book in a Zen mode. Paperback. One chapter a day and not looking at the chapter length. Sometimes two chapters if one did not fill me with enough Zen. So reading it was a journey with no wanting to get to the next stop. No knowledge where I would stop.
Definitely a must read for anyone feeling a disconnect with their jobs and relationships. That would include everyone I guess.
And I have been reading vociferously finishing one book after another. On Kindle app mostly for last 4 years. Counting pages to end. But after a long time I read this book in a Zen mode. Paperback. One chapter a day and not looking at the chapter length. Sometimes two chapters if one did not fill me with enough Zen. So reading it was a journey with no wanting to get to the next stop. No knowledge where I would stop.
Definitely a must read for anyone feeling a disconnect with their jobs and relationships. That would include everyone I guess.
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Re-read this book after about 40 years or so, and was once again moved by the power and intensity of the story. Knowing now the fate of one of the characters was heartbreaking, and a reminder to live and love for the day. This is several journeys in one book - a modern-day vacation of father and son, an inquiry into the breakdown of a former self, and an exploration of philosophy and the meaning of things. Quite a lot to pack into one book, and the author pulls it off, with painful self-revelation. It's well worth taking the journey here, as one might discover many things.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
probably good but i couldn't concentrate on it on the train so i dumped it.