Well I finally started reading Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig last night.
There seems to be 4 main characters. The first is the "main guy" (I don't think his name was said yet), the main guy's 11 year old son Chris, the main guy's good friend John, and John's wife Sylvia. The four are going on a road trip on of course, their motorcycles. So far, it has been hard for me to pay attention to the book, so I have only read the first chapter. The main conclusion of the first chapter seemed to be that the main guy thought that John and Sylvia were extremely scared of technological advances, and he compares this with "beatnick's" and "hippies". There is also a hint of information on Buddhism towards the end of the first chapter, but it seems kind of vague to me.
On to Chapter 2!
Posted by john3856 at July 7, 2004 11:57 PMHey there,
So I couldn't resist the temptation to read the book back in April when you gave it to me. I started it, read at my usual pace, got about half way through, and quit. It's still on my table next to my bed, but it's been neglected.
I didn't enjoy what I read. It seemed to be a disjointed series of the main character's thoughts, which were posed in a way that we were supposed to view them as meaningful. In my opinion, it was just boring. And repetative. Of course, I have not yet finished the book, so I allow for the possibility that it'll get better.
I almost feel bad giving it a poor review, since you so kindly gave the book to me! But be assured I really appreciate the gift-- I've learned something, right? Maybe you'll have a different take on it and we can discuss!
Posted by: Jenny at July 12, 2004 12:23 PMI can see where your coming from (the disjointed thoughts that is). I seriously have had to read each paragraph like 2-3 times each, just so I am able to get to what the main characters belief is... which I still haven't figured out after 3 chapters.
Hopefully, chapter 4 will make more sense.
Posted by: K at July 23, 2004 12:42 AMSo I have fallen off the bandwagon with this book. I think I need to read it when I have nothing else going on in my life... possibly when I have a less crazy schedule.
I have started to read B*tch, by Elizabeth Wurtzel though. She is the same author that wrote Prozac Nation, it doesn't have to do with religion, but it is more of a pro-feminism book.