Reviews

Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit by Daniel Quinn

heikieesmaa's review against another edition

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1.0

Recycling of mediocre ideas in a yet another 'meetings with a mysterious teacher' book. If I had read it while still in high school, I'd probably have a higher opinion of it. It would've blended well with all kinds of seemingly rebellious books from Catcher in the Rye to Paulo Coelho.

fuen13's review against another edition

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3.0

3.5

buckshotlaureate's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging hopeful informative reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.75

benjick's review against another edition

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challenging inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Plato's cave feels more like a maze

tnorthcu's review against another edition

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5.0

Maybe it was just where I was at in my life at the specific time, but reading this book brought up a lot of things I had thought about but never really put into words. Reading this book was an eyeopening/life changing experience for me personally. Almost the entire book is a conversation between a man and a gorilla about how the world came to be how it is and what went wrong in the process. This is probably one of the most thought-provoking books I have ever read. Grabs your attention right from the beginning and holds on until the end. The second and third book in the trilogy are good, but if you only read one, read this one!

shana_rose's review against another edition

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challenging informative inspiring mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

ellasiblik's review against another edition

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4.0

Not as groundbreaking as it wants to believe it is. I do think people could benefit from the introduction to the ideas presented in the book, however I don’t believe a large number of individuals would be completely shocked by what Ishmael has to say.

As someone who enjoys (or drives herself crazy?) ruminating on thoughts such as these, it was nice to experience them in a more logical layout. I don’t feel like my world view was altered by this read, (besides the Genesis interpretation which fascinated me) but I doubt a 60s counterculture obsessed environmental studies & philosophy student was really the book’s target audience.

I believe that any book I can fly through in a day is a worthwhile read. Check it out! I’d love to hear others’ opinions.

birdshootsbats's review against another edition

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I stopped seeing the guy who recommended it. Also it felt very pretentious, like the book was disappointed in me for not being smarter. 

I liked the beginning quite a lot, but it only got more high-brow and intimidatingly philosophical as it went on, never friendlier or more satisfying to read.

danny_jutsu's review against another edition

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2.0

Trash.

katelennon05's review against another edition

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reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

1.5