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1.62k reviews for:
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values
Robert M. Pirsig
3.53 AVERAGE
1.62k reviews for:
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values
Robert M. Pirsig
3.53 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Well written but I felt disconnected from it. Maybe if I had known how philosophical it was going to be, I’d have had a better time reading? Or maybe wouldn’t have picked it up at all… Sorry, I wanted to love it.
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
I enjoyed the story about the motorcycle trip, but not so much the deep dive into Phaedrus’s (dialectic?) arguments/disagreements with Greek philosophers (Socrates and Aristotle).
While there are some good life lessons in this book, I feel that a background (undergrad degree?) in philosophy would really help me understand this book better.
Once I got ~300 pages in, I was curious about how the motorcycle trip with his son Chris would end, but continually frustrated with the philosophy language that was well beyond me.
I’m glad I read it and know what all the hype surrounding this book is all about… or do I?
While there are some good life lessons in this book, I feel that a background (undergrad degree?) in philosophy would really help me understand this book better.
Once I got ~300 pages in, I was curious about how the motorcycle trip with his son Chris would end, but continually frustrated with the philosophy language that was well beyond me.
I’m glad I read it and know what all the hype surrounding this book is all about… or do I?
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Phenomenal! A truly refreshing read in the spirit of [b:Ishmael|227265|Ishmael|Daniel Quinn|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388180479s/227265.jpg|1041162] and [b:Illusions|114130|Honest Illusions|Nora Roberts|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1309212906s/114130.jpg|1461329]. The book teaches a lot and grapples with the "how to live" questions in Western men. Loses something in the attempt to codify it in what this author calls "quality." But lots of wisdom and entertainment and intrigue. Effectively makes a novel out of a trip journal, something I wouldn't have thought could be done so well.
Read in high school. Not sure how I made it through. I do remember we had to address all the symbolism and dissect relationships. Not my kind of book these days. It’s a very heavy read. I didn’t feel any better or more enlightened by having read it again.
Psychobabble nonsense your friend would say freshman year of college after they had an edible for the first time and thought they were being profound.
This is a horrible book about a horrible person undergoing a horrible breakdown. I couldn't finish it. I found it confusing, disjointed and not at all interesting.
And - why is it that whenever people learn that I get around by motorbike, they think I need to read this book?
For years, I thought there was something wrong with me -- my pink jacketed paperback version of the book occupying space on the shelf where a good book could be since I am a chronic completer. That is -- until I stumbled across a podcast called "I Don't Even Own a Television" in early 2016 -- the first episode I heard was on this book. They had me almost wetting myself laughing -- they only review bad books and the hosts are totally hilarious. So, instead of torturing yourself - go listen to the podcast for this book (also, the Snow Crash episode is a scream!)
And - why is it that whenever people learn that I get around by motorbike, they think I need to read this book?
For years, I thought there was something wrong with me -- my pink jacketed paperback version of the book occupying space on the shelf where a good book could be since I am a chronic completer. That is -- until I stumbled across a podcast called "I Don't Even Own a Television" in early 2016 -- the first episode I heard was on this book. They had me almost wetting myself laughing -- they only review bad books and the hosts are totally hilarious. So, instead of torturing yourself - go listen to the podcast for this book (also, the Snow Crash episode is a scream!)
This book is a pointer on how to live life. I found sections of this to be dry but the overall message was important. The teachings and questions that are raised in this book, I'll be thinking about for a long time to come. This is especially poignant considering I'm in a transition period of my own life and this book helps guide me. I could care less about the motorcycle maintenance and the metaphors sometimes go over my head.