I recently expressed my opinion to an author regarding his work and in the course of that, I compared his writing to Robert M. Pirsig - the author of "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance". I said that I didn't like it, and that it took three attempts to read and get to the end. I feel that I need to expand on my opinion, in case anyone cares to debate.
"Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" is a dry telling of the life of a man who is recovering from a mental breakdown. Our hero is on a motorcycle trip across the U.S. with his son. This being a good opportunity to reconnect. He spends a lot of time in deep thought, trying to find the definition of 'quality'. Meanwhile, he seems annoyed by his young son. The man USED to be a professor, a scientist, and yada yada yada. Because of this book, I now know the definition of "Chautauqua".
The hardest obstacle to getting through this book is the detached way of the storyteller. Mr. Pirsig almost moves the focus to the front, but then backs away when it touches an emotion.
I also think the book would have been better if he had made his real-time storyline a little more vivid. If the memories are being remembered a little detachedly, then the current scene should be COLD!, or PRICKLY!, or ORANGE!.
Or possibly the other way around. Have our hero perceive his son from a distance, be numb to the motorcycle journey, and then describe the memories as a tangible reality.
These ideas may have made this book a little more real to me.
However...
I did enjoy Robert M. Pirsig's other book - "Lila, An Inquiry into Morals". This book is completely worth reading. The main character is scarily naiive, and Lila is a pure example of a broken person. It is one of those stories that you will never forget.
One more thing.
Everyone who recommended "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" must not have read the whole thing. The author is really proud of his obsolete, ten-letter words. If I can't force myself to get through a book, I know most of you can't. I had to read it with a dictionary, and I know a lot of words. (I may not USE them, but I know them.)
This is my opinion. Got one of your own?
MsAmber
Bad Poetry?
- MsAmber
- I am complex, yet simple. I am hearty and frail. I am selfish and generous. I let my emotions prevail. I want to make some sense of it. Of Life, and Love, and God. I want to bring back the simple things. I know that makes me odd. But if you'll stay and read awhile maybe you'll start to see. Then maybe I can share with you a little part of me. MsAmber
3 comments:
Steven King's Gunslinger series was really good. Well, he did have ONE bad volume. I won't ruin it for you.
When I read the first and second volumes, I was hooked, but Steven wouldn't continue the series. He left each one as a cliff-hanger. When I finished a volume, I would be so angry at him. Then I had to wait *years* for him to finish the next installment.
I also don't think Steven King should EVER try to do porn. He's really lousy at it.
Horror-smut. That's a good description for some of his scenes.
If you are a King fan, you will really enjoy the "Gunslinger" series. I did.
If I were you, I would skip reading "Zen and the Art...", it's not worth it, unless you are an insomniac. It will put you right out.
You're my hero Omar.
MsAmber
www.wildernessgirl.com
I can't help myself. I reference Pirsig's book in the following excerpt from my book:
No matter what you say aobut "Zen," you gotta love the idea of using a beer can as a shim.
the link
Hi Amber,
I too liked the Gunslinger series, I noticed that I liked the earlier books better.
But I am here to say that I liked your comments regarding a certain person's writing, I think you and I were just about
the only people that made
real and completely honest comments, I had made mine in earlier chapters:
( " It meanders too much, and loses me sometimes")and I felt very alone when I did that. And yet, how is
someone supposed to get better at something without a little well-meant constructive criticism
now and then?
You and I were genuinely trying to
help, and I know he heard and understood it, because he later made comments to that effect.At least on mine.He's genuinely trying to be a better writer.
Bye for now! : )
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