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A review by coronata
I Am a Strange Loop by Douglas R. Hofstadter
3.5
Sadly, I Am a Strange Loop is nowhere near as good as GEB, but it was still mostly pleasant to read. I switched to audio partway through because my eyes kept glazing over and found it to be a nice companion for getting my chores done.
My main criticism is that Hofstadter frequently loses the plot with his bajillion anecdotes and personal asides, which weakens the overall argument. GEB worked so well largely because it was coherent and (relatively) objective; this book is much more of a personal ramble. The sections where he argues that, for example, playing Bach "wrong" means someone is "less conscious" were very odd and make his whole argument about "souls" come across as judgemental and myopic. It's a shame because GEB was such a thought-provoking book!
I will say that the chapter(s) where he discusses the loss of his wife, Carol, and the impact it had on him—and how she still "exists" in him—were really lovely. He clearly loved (loves!) her very much and that love made those chapters far more engaging than the rest of the book. Perhaps this book should have been a memoir instead?
My main criticism is that Hofstadter frequently loses the plot with his bajillion anecdotes and personal asides, which weakens the overall argument. GEB worked so well largely because it was coherent and (relatively) objective; this book is much more of a personal ramble. The sections where he argues that, for example, playing Bach "wrong" means someone is "less conscious" were very odd and make his whole argument about "souls" come across as judgemental and myopic. It's a shame because GEB was such a thought-provoking book!
I will say that the chapter(s) where he discusses the loss of his wife, Carol, and the impact it had on him—and how she still "exists" in him—were really lovely. He clearly loved (loves!) her very much and that love made those chapters far more engaging than the rest of the book. Perhaps this book should have been a memoir instead?