Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig
It was with a bit of trepidation that I started this book, being that there was a lot of hype about it and the assumptions I had made from this hype and what the 'Zen' part of its title implied. My concern being that I didn't want to set myself for disappointment if the book didn't live up to the (very) high expectations I had. I must say, this book is very dense and it was not an easy read... for me at least. Intermingled with the story of the father-son duo traveling through several states on their way West, there are many inner monologues where we learn A LOT about ancient philosophy and how the relentless pursuit of understanding Quality and Truth by the father affected his life and those around him. I had to make a point of finding a quiet place AND a quiet time to read this book just in order to keep up with it.
I think that to categorize this book and give it a "grade" without the benefit of having enough time to thoroughly "digest" it is a nearly impossible task to achieve, but the one thing I can say is that I feel that I learned a lot more about philosophy than I thought I was able to, mostly because of the way ideas and terms were described by the author. I also enjoyed how the relationship between father and son was developed and how it all came together in the end, by which time I was reading as fast as I could, barely able to contain my curiosity!
Is "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" for the 'faint of heart'? Probably not. I think that the analogy where wines get better with age is applicable here, where you, the reader, is the 'wine' and you must be at a later time in your life to truly be able to grasp what this book is all about. I may be giving it another go later on just to see what other things I may find, once I give myself enough time to (hopefully) grow wiser and have more 'miles' to show for. :)
About the Book
Published in 1974, "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" by Robert M. Pirsig1 is a philosophical novel that has garnered a significant following over the years. The book intertwines the narrative of a father-son motorcycle trip across the United States with deep philosophical discussions, particularly focusing on the concept of “Quality” and its implications on life and understanding.
Author's Style
Robert M. Pirsig was an American writer and philosopher known for his exploration of complex philosophical themes through accessible narratives. His writing style is dense and thought-provoking, often requiring readers to engage deeply with the material. Besides "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" Pirsig also authored “Lila: An Inquiry into Morals,” which continues to explore philosophical questions about Quality and morality.