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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
This was the first book I read that is related to philosophy I was so lost but I enjoyed it so much
Contains a fair amount of quotable wisdom, but in general the story was not memorable. It often says a lot without saying anything at all, or I'm just not smart/insane enough to read through the poetic obfuscation. Hitler, however—if he did in fact read Thus Spoke Zarathustra*—it is easy to see which parts he got inspiration and justification from.
*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Influence_and_reception_of_Friedrich_Nietzsche.
*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Influence_and_reception_of_Friedrich_Nietzsche.
challenging
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
The height of philosophical writing. Slow-paced when it comes to fiction, but very fast compared to other philosophy texts, so averages out to medium. Presents the ideas of Nietzsche with beautiful prose in a relatively straightforward and understandable format. "The Dream and the Riddle" is one of my favorite passages in any book, ever.
reflective
medium-paced
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
It's simply a poor cut of meat.
I was really excited to read this book, as I wanted to understand Nietzsche's philosophies and worldview by interacting with his texts directly and not through some scholar's interpretation. I was looking for something to really think about and chew on. This book has, of course, really profound concepts, but to get to them you have to push through too many layers of unnecessary allegory and metaphorical imagery. The book is at it's best when he just gets to it. The language is rich and tickles the brain. However, he will go on much too long and pile it on and on until it no longer feels reflective or instructive. It simply feels self-indulgent, drawing the mind away from the content and focusing it on a man who really likes hearing himself talk. For context, I'm a fan of the writing that comes from the 19th century/early 20th, and also a fan of other writer's in Nietzsche's milieu, so the writing style itself is not the issue.
The misogyny in the book is also problematic, regardless of the Nietzsche's time period and personal life (wherein his relationships with women are also a confusing mix of sexism and progressive thought). For the record, I don't believe he was misogynistic in the way we define it now, but I do think he was sexist in the manner of most people in his time and community. However, I also believe there is evidence to show that he was less sexist and more progressive in this area than his peers. Nevertheless, the book does contain (just a little) reflection on women that swings wildly between those two bastions of sexism, idolatry and contempt. Yet, some of his statements about women are outright comical and its difficult to take that species of sexism seriously.
So, overall, there is some meat here to chew on, but you have to get past all of the fat and gristle (of which there is a lot). This book is one of the rare times that an abridged version is likely superior to the full text. I'm glad I finally read it, but I would never recommend anyone do so.
I was really excited to read this book, as I wanted to understand Nietzsche's philosophies and worldview by interacting with his texts directly and not through some scholar's interpretation. I was looking for something to really think about and chew on. This book has, of course, really profound concepts, but to get to them you have to push through too many layers of unnecessary allegory and metaphorical imagery. The book is at it's best when he just gets to it. The language is rich and tickles the brain. However, he will go on much too long and pile it on and on until it no longer feels reflective or instructive. It simply feels self-indulgent, drawing the mind away from the content and focusing it on a man who really likes hearing himself talk. For context, I'm a fan of the writing that comes from the 19th century/early 20th, and also a fan of other writer's in Nietzsche's milieu, so the writing style itself is not the issue.
The misogyny in the book is also problematic, regardless of the Nietzsche's time period and personal life (wherein his relationships with women are also a confusing mix of sexism and progressive thought). For the record, I don't believe he was misogynistic in the way we define it now, but I do think he was sexist in the manner of most people in his time and community. However, I also believe there is evidence to show that he was less sexist and more progressive in this area than his peers. Nevertheless, the book does contain (just a little) reflection on women that swings wildly between those two bastions of sexism, idolatry and contempt. Yet, some of his statements about women are outright comical and its difficult to take that species of sexism seriously.
So, overall, there is some meat here to chew on, but you have to get past all of the fat and gristle (of which there is a lot). This book is one of the rare times that an abridged version is likely superior to the full text. I'm glad I finally read it, but I would never recommend anyone do so.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny
reflective
medium-paced