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A review by robschertzer
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values by Robert M. Pirsig
3.0
I went back to read the book last June because I had recommended it to Daniel. He was wondering what on earth I was thinking in loving the book. In fact, I listened to the book this time 'round. I get kind of busy and use Audible.com to help me get through books while walking or driving to work or on the treadmill at the gym. But Dad, you didn't really READ the book; you listened to it. Daniel had a point and was about to prove it to me...I really read the book this time. Instead of taking 8 days last June, it was a slog for almost 4 months, finally finishing it in March 2016.
When doing one of my psychiatry rotations during medical school or internship, I was intrigued by some of the things that the manic patients would say. The thought has stayed with me over the decades that there is a fine line between genius and insanity and it's hard to tell much of the time on which side somebody lies. Are the statements so brilliant that we should take note and appreciate the shear genius? Or rather are they on the other side of that line, and just absolute rubbish from someone whose brain has an imbalance? Who are we to judge?
Zen ATAOMM's author is one such genius. In my youth, I'm not sure if I was seeing the crescent or the whole of the moon but to me it seemed somewhat brilliant. Wow, a whole new way to look at the world and to live for the moment. Later in life, so much of the writing seems like the nonsensical scribbles of a madman. Why all the Chataqua's that are for the most part banal? What purpose does much of the description of the road trip add toward advancing the story line? Is this all part of achieving a Zen moment or just a crock of shit?
Maybe this book as well as many others mean different things to different people at a different times in their lives? Phadreus, or whatever his real name is, travels with his son and for much of the time the relationship is strained. There is some resolution at the end but what a struggle of a journey to get there. The biggest thing I might have got out of the book at this stage in my life is the importance of trying to connect with my kids. For that reason it was worth the journey. In terms of most of the rest of the book, it was mostly a fad at the time but perhaps it means something to many others at this time. It's hard to go back.
When doing one of my psychiatry rotations during medical school or internship, I was intrigued by some of the things that the manic patients would say. The thought has stayed with me over the decades that there is a fine line between genius and insanity and it's hard to tell much of the time on which side somebody lies. Are the statements so brilliant that we should take note and appreciate the shear genius? Or rather are they on the other side of that line, and just absolute rubbish from someone whose brain has an imbalance? Who are we to judge?
Zen ATAOMM's author is one such genius. In my youth, I'm not sure if I was seeing the crescent or the whole of the moon but to me it seemed somewhat brilliant. Wow, a whole new way to look at the world and to live for the moment. Later in life, so much of the writing seems like the nonsensical scribbles of a madman. Why all the Chataqua's that are for the most part banal? What purpose does much of the description of the road trip add toward advancing the story line? Is this all part of achieving a Zen moment or just a crock of shit?
Maybe this book as well as many others mean different things to different people at a different times in their lives? Phadreus, or whatever his real name is, travels with his son and for much of the time the relationship is strained. There is some resolution at the end but what a struggle of a journey to get there. The biggest thing I might have got out of the book at this stage in my life is the importance of trying to connect with my kids. For that reason it was worth the journey. In terms of most of the rest of the book, it was mostly a fad at the time but perhaps it means something to many others at this time. It's hard to go back.