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galoshes's review
inspiring
fast-paced
This is not a novel. This is an essay presented as a conversation between a man and a gorilla.
For most of the book I felt like the author was trying desperately to convince me to stop believing things I never believed. There were some interesting points, and I appreciated some of the perspectives, but I feel like it ended just as the conclusions were getting interesting. Or maybe that was the point, to spark some questions then leave you to figure out the rest.
I wouldn't say I particularly liked this book, but it was an easy read and I appreciate the opportunity to think about life and what it all means. Personally, I feel like I would've engaged more with the ideas if they were presented as nonfiction.
For most of the book I felt like the author was trying desperately to convince me to stop believing things I never believed. There were some interesting points, and I appreciated some of the perspectives, but I feel like it ended just as the conclusions were getting interesting. Or maybe that was the point, to spark some questions then leave you to figure out the rest.
I wouldn't say I particularly liked this book, but it was an easy read and I appreciate the opportunity to think about life and what it all means. Personally, I feel like I would've engaged more with the ideas if they were presented as nonfiction.
groovygherkin's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
savaging's review
2.0
This book aims to critique Western culture but wholly adopts some of its worst features while making the argument. Like:
-The belief that a Great Man with a Great Idea is what creates change. (just get everyone to read Daniel Quinn and we'll save the earth)
-The belief that detached logical analysis, without the messiness of heartfelt connection to other beings, holds Truth.
-The belief that education means a Teacher asking a question with One Right Answer, then scolding and punishing the pupil until they guess right.
But then again, this book actually holds true to the Socratic heritage. I mean have you ever actually read the Socratic dialogues? They're painful and maddening and dull. Rather than two people delving into questions together to figure out something that could be true, it's Socrates again and again pwning others by tying them in mental knots until they humbly agree with all of his ideas.
And all of this makes me mad like this because I think the questions this book addresses are so important. We need brave, hard conversations about the earth's carrying capacity and human population growth. Like, I want to believe that we can fix it by ending capitalism and inequality, but is that entirely true? What kind of culture would we need to not kill off every ecosystem, and how could we feasibly get from here to there?
But this book presents a vision, with bored arrogance, where the answer seems to be: cut all food aid, control populations through starvation, murder any outsider who invades your territory, make sure there are more men than women. Only idiots (who have forgotten their 'brainy pill' today) could seriously question these conclusions, says Socrates-in-a-gorilla-suit.
Just because I don't like these conclusions doesn't mean they're not true. It's just that Quinn gives me no reason to trust him or his methods. Even if he pretends to be a telepathic gorilla.
-The belief that a Great Man with a Great Idea is what creates change. (just get everyone to read Daniel Quinn and we'll save the earth)
-The belief that detached logical analysis, without the messiness of heartfelt connection to other beings, holds Truth.
-The belief that education means a Teacher asking a question with One Right Answer, then scolding and punishing the pupil until they guess right.
But then again, this book actually holds true to the Socratic heritage. I mean have you ever actually read the Socratic dialogues? They're painful and maddening and dull. Rather than two people delving into questions together to figure out something that could be true, it's Socrates again and again pwning others by tying them in mental knots until they humbly agree with all of his ideas.
And all of this makes me mad like this because I think the questions this book addresses are so important. We need brave, hard conversations about the earth's carrying capacity and human population growth. Like, I want to believe that we can fix it by ending capitalism and inequality, but is that entirely true? What kind of culture would we need to not kill off every ecosystem, and how could we feasibly get from here to there?
But this book presents a vision, with bored arrogance, where the answer seems to be: cut all food aid, control populations through starvation, murder any outsider who invades your territory, make sure there are more men than women. Only idiots (who have forgotten their 'brainy pill' today) could seriously question these conclusions, says Socrates-in-a-gorilla-suit.
Just because I don't like these conclusions doesn't mean they're not true. It's just that Quinn gives me no reason to trust him or his methods. Even if he pretends to be a telepathic gorilla.
renlou's review
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
Not a bad read, and it’s thought provoking. I would recommend it to a total ecological newbie.
beethatasitmay's review
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
avidwhale's review
4.0
accidentally deleted this review so gotta write a new one
this book was really cool and I still think about a lot of the themes it shows, some gripes with some things in the plot but if everyone read this book the world would be saved
this book was really cool and I still think about a lot of the themes it shows, some gripes with some things in the plot but if everyone read this book the world would be saved
wetsmoke's review
3.0
I’m glad this book exists, but I didn’t need to read it.
I felt frustrated by the tone - it was very patronizing and the book was difficult to get through for those reasons.
There were also some logical leaps that frustrated me.
All in all, though, it did inspire me to behave better, so that’s a plus.
I felt frustrated by the tone - it was very patronizing and the book was difficult to get through for those reasons.
There were also some logical leaps that frustrated me.
All in all, though, it did inspire me to behave better, so that’s a plus.
ericericeric's review
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
conni3reads's review
5.0
Absolutely brilliant and life changing to my 10th grade brain. This is the only summer reading (and honestly the only book assigned for school) that I ever did with pleasure.
This book allowed me feel comfortable being myself for once. I was made fun of in class for proclaiming my love for this book (yeah I deserved it for being a fucking nerd lmao)but man. I will never not be over the moon for this gorilla.
Would I ever choose to read this again? Fuck no. It’s slow and terribly paced. But as a 15 year old burnt out-gifted-kid who had terrible attention for span, I was so glad I finished it. It had an amazing pay off.
This book allowed me feel comfortable being myself for once. I was made fun of in class for proclaiming my love for this book (yeah I deserved it for being a fucking nerd lmao)but man. I will never not be over the moon for this gorilla.
Would I ever choose to read this again? Fuck no. It’s slow and terribly paced. But as a 15 year old burnt out-gifted-kid who had terrible attention for span, I was so glad I finished it. It had an amazing pay off.