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theemptyset's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
4.5
spectracommunist's review against another edition
5.0
This book was something so unexpected. It's not only Zen and not much about technicalities of motorcycle maintenance. It's a deep inquiry into our value-system, how we deal with technology these days. No just that, there's even a kinda suspense that hooks one up until the end: It's basically about the author and his son Chris' motorcycle journey whilst Chris was on the verge of some mental illness and also there used to be a romantic counterpart of the author: Phaedrus (i.e. A Wolf!) more like an opposite personality back then that he retrospects here: how he used to chase the true meaning of 'quality' (75% of the book revolves around defining quality) and other philosophical speculations that leads him to some kind of madness. So these events in the past build up much psychological tension in the entire book.
This book even delves into the history of philosophy and evaluates its relevance in modern times: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Hegel, Heraclitus, etc. It even juxtaposes science with philosophy and art with technology.
I'm so much glad that I came to this book at this particular times where I'm into disillusionment and heavily suffering from existential crises and even from split personality problems sometimes. I picked up reading this book when I backpacked for a little 'Holi' vacation around cold mountains with my friends in the Uttarakhand: Rishikesh, Haridwar, Kanatal, Tehri, and Mussoorie. There we did a lot of motorcycle riding approx. 270 km up and down those mountains. It was a beautiful experience and I learned a lot of Zen if not much motorcycle maintenance.
It's a must-read for every voracious reader who is in a constant odyssey of seeking meaning and logic in this incomprehensible universe!
This book even delves into the history of philosophy and evaluates its relevance in modern times: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Hegel, Heraclitus, etc. It even juxtaposes science with philosophy and art with technology.
I'm so much glad that I came to this book at this particular times where I'm into disillusionment and heavily suffering from existential crises and even from split personality problems sometimes. I picked up reading this book when I backpacked for a little 'Holi' vacation around cold mountains with my friends in the Uttarakhand: Rishikesh, Haridwar, Kanatal, Tehri, and Mussoorie. There we did a lot of motorcycle riding approx. 270 km up and down those mountains. It was a beautiful experience and I learned a lot of Zen if not much motorcycle maintenance.
It's a must-read for every voracious reader who is in a constant odyssey of seeking meaning and logic in this incomprehensible universe!
misfitmoxie's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
soniagracelm's review against another edition
5.0
Rating this book out of five stars does not seem appropriate somehow. It is a thinking book, a book designed to make you think, question, and think again. I got bogged down a bit in the endless discussion of Quality, the "high country of the mind," and the discussions of Plato and Aristotle. I've never liked classical philosophy much.
I thought there were some excellent points about education, the Church of Reason, and the romantic and classical modes of understanding. I certainly fall under the heading of "romantic," but I make an effort to appreciate the classical. Pirsig's meditations on these ideas resonated with my own thoughts, and articulated them far better. I'm glad I read this book, though it's hard to say I "liked" it.
I recommend this book to readers with patience, an appreciation for detail, and a willingness to read with the entire mind. I will probably read it again someday, this time with a pen, and annotate in the margins. It's the kind of book that invites discussion with the text.
I thought there were some excellent points about education, the Church of Reason, and the romantic and classical modes of understanding. I certainly fall under the heading of "romantic," but I make an effort to appreciate the classical. Pirsig's meditations on these ideas resonated with my own thoughts, and articulated them far better. I'm glad I read this book, though it's hard to say I "liked" it.
I recommend this book to readers with patience, an appreciation for detail, and a willingness to read with the entire mind. I will probably read it again someday, this time with a pen, and annotate in the margins. It's the kind of book that invites discussion with the text.
protoman21's review against another edition
2.0
It started off strong and there were some good insights throughout, but much of it was gibberish to me and I had a difficult time paying attention.
zerokenshi's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
5.0
jwithers3172's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
giacomo's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
ecclesias's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
gcgulick's review against another edition
4.0
This book is not only a journey and an exploration of values but it as well is a father-son story. My father gave me this book and in our relationship I find parallels in the narrators struggle to connect with his son, and in the end how much his son "carries him". It took me two and a half years to finish but I am glad that I embarked on this philosophical / literary journey.