I must start by saying that this is one of my favorite books ever. It is an incredibly deep and complicated work that demands a great deal of focus to read. However, I firmly believe that there are numerous profound messages within the author's search for Quality. This was my second time delving into this book, and I found myself liking it even more on this occasion.

Interlaced with captivating stories from an across-the-west motorcycle trip with his son and some friends, Pirsig weaves the tale of his past. It is a story of a former life before he was admitted to a mental institution after going crazy in his unwavering pursuit of Quality. He frequently employs the motorcycle as a powerful analogy, as well as the act of climbing mountains. With what many might consider an excessive amount of depth and detail (but not me), he meticulously dissects the ideas of rhetoric, quality, the scientific method, technology, and many concepts of the ancient Greek philosophers. In his search for a unifying truth/god/connecting force, he even attempts to take down an entire academic department.

I truly don't feel that there is a great deal that I can say in a short review like this to do this book justice. Instead, I'll simply jot down a series of underlined quotes. These quotes offer a glimpse into the profound and thought-provoking nature of the book. For example, "…physical discomfort is important only when the mood is wrong. Then you fasten on to whatever thing is uncomfortable and call that the cause. But if the mood is right, then physical discomfort doesn't mean much." This quote highlights the subjective nature of our perception of discomfort and how our mood can significantly impact it.

Another powerful quote is "Caring about what you are doing is considered either unimportant or taken for granted." It serves as a reminder of the importance of showing genuine care and passion in our work and lives. We often overlook the significance of caring and take it for granted, but it is precisely this element that can make a profound difference in the quality of our experiences.

These are just a few of the many remarkable quotes that can be found within the pages of this book. Each one offers a unique perspective and invites the reader to reflect on their own beliefs and values. Whether you are a lover of philosophy, a seeker of truth, or simply someone who enjoys a thought-provoking read, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression.

I confess that, when I first discovered this book on the shelf of a small and now-defunct used bookstore, my motivation was its status as one of those books that "everyone," or at least a significant number of people, had read and recommended with a certain degree of enthusiasm and gravitas. This spoke deeply to my 21-year-old self, who was highly influenced by peer pressure.

I also admit that it took approximately three readings for me to establish any meaningful connection between the book and my life. This was not due to the author's shortcomings but rather to the limitations of my own life and its lack of experiences at that time. Of course, the same could be said for almost all of my college years, but I digress.

A teacher once mentioned that reading certain books at regular intervals in one's life was important. He was specifically referring to _The Catcher in the Rye_, and the recommended interval was five years. I have found that I enjoy _Zen..._ more with each subsequent read.

Is "read" actually a noun? Despite the title of this website?

Published in 1974, this remarkable book embarks on a captivating journey across the country from Minnesota to California, all by motorcycle.

During this adventure, the participants not only cover a vast distance but also gain profound insights into life and the self.

The narrative centers around the relationship between a father and son, delving into the nature of quality and philosophy.

The unnamed father, who refers to his past self as Phaedrus, had a history of mental illness, and his former self is often depicted as a threat to his present one.

As the story commences, the narrator teams up with his eleven-year-old son, Chris, along with friends John and Sylvia. They take the backroads and enjoy camping out, creating a sense of freedom and exploration.

Throughout the journey, the narrator inserts philosophical discourses, which he calls “Chautauquas.” These discussions add depth and complexity to the story, making the reader reflect on various aspects of life.

There is an abundance of information to unpack in this novel. Instead of writing an extensive review, I will summarize my overall impressions.

The book presents two primary approaches to life: the scientific or “rational” approach and the intuitive or “romantic” approach.

Finding a balance between these two approaches is crucial for achieving a sense of well-being in life.

The concept of quality serves as a bridge between the two, uniting them in a harmonious way.

The struggles in reconciling these two approaches are vividly exemplified in the narrator’s attempts to merge his current self with his past self as Phaedrus.

Overall, the book is highly intellectual and demands focused concentration from the reader.

While I liked certain parts of it, I felt that it sometimes strayed too far from the main narrative.

It didn't quite come together as a cohesive story for me, but I am still glad to have finally read this 20th-century classic.

Hard to know where to begin.

This is the type of book I know I'll reread every few years, alongside Dune and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream by Hunter S. Thompson (strange company indeed).

I've kept it in my bag just to go back over the highlighted sections and make sure it remains useful.

Pirsig essentially attempts to break down the ways people make value judgments and how they reason.

At the center of this is how we view and react to aspects of technology.

He divides it into classic (function) and romantic (form) while narrating a cross-country motorcycle trip.

He seems to discuss Buddhism peripherally for most of the book.

It's the way a hyperanalytical person might approach it, which is quite fascinating.

I've heard this book called pretentious, but the methodology is so thorough and far-reaching that I can't deny the results.

He touches on philosophical topics from modern thinkers all the way to ancient Greece, as clearly connected as one could hope.

I'm not sure how to verbalize much else about this.

Maybe some other time.

Now to check out the sequel.

I have read this book at least 8 times over the years.

It is an outstanding work that combines an excellent metaphysical discussion with a father-son road trip.

This combination not only makes the story engaging but also deeply inspires me.

It has motivated me to delve into early Greek philosophy and explore my own beliefs regarding rationality and the scientific method.

****************

In 2018, I reread the book again, and as I had expected, it did not disappoint.

I'm not entirely sure how it occurs, but this book is like a tune-up for the mind.

It rejuvenates me and keeps me going for another 15,000 miles until the next time I need a tune-up.

Thanks, Phaedrus, for this wonderful literary masterpiece that has had such a profound impact on me.

Each time I read it, I discover new insights and perspectives, which further enriches my understanding of life and the world around me.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in philosophy, literature, or simply a good story that makes you think.

“No great mind has ever existed without a touch of madness.” --Aristotle

Author Robert Pirsig would surely concur with this statement. He was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia between 1961 and 1963. Fragments of that part of his life are disclosed in small portions. However, “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance,” while acknowledging that aspect of his past, focuses on the author's arduous struggle to define Quality.

The backdrop of the story描绘了 a motorcycle trip from Minnesota to California that he embarked on with his son Chris. It's almost as if Mr. Pirsig merged two books, crafting a thought-provoking journal of the trip while simultaneously addressing a profound philosophical question.

Somehow, it all gels. I found myself captivated by the relationships Mr. Pirsig had with his son and friends. These people still fretted that his moments of quiet reflection might be omens of another schizophrenic episode. This, of course, makes the reader wonder the same thing, a potential scenario that Mr. Pirsig grapples with throughout the book.

“Zen” is not a book to be breezed through. The author's ongoing discussion on philosophy and the question of Quality demands that you engage your brain and think deeply to follow his train of thought. This doesn't mean the book is dull or sluggish, unless you have absolutely no inclination to read one man's philosophical musings. However, if you're interested in such matters, the logical progression that underpins his thesis is utterly fascinating.

What began as an opportunity to publish what Mr. Pirsig had created in the first part of his life morphed into a bestseller. Although he passed away in April of 2017, the book continues to sell briskly, and rightfully so. Five stars.

According to family lore, my brother presented this book to my father when he was in college. When my father read it, it seemingly made an extremely deep impression on him. As a result, he promptly bought 4 copies and distributed one to each of his children.

I declined to read it for many years simply because my father had given it to me. However, sometime after college, I picked it up and read it for the very first time. Subsequently, for the next 5 years, I read it once a year every June. Evidently, it also made a profound impression on me. Come to think of it, I probably ought to read it again this year.

I have a great affection for the narrative of the father/son motorcycle journey across the plains. I am truly enamored with the sub-narrative regarding Zen, Quality, and Values. Additionally, I love the theme of integration - how everything converges in the end.

Moreover, it provided a bit of insight into my father's psyche and experience. After all, he named his last sailboat "Chautauqua."

The reason I'm writing here is because this was truly one of the most irritating books I've ever had the misfortune to encounter.

It is a prime example of self-indulgence, with the author seemingly lost in their own world of narcissism.

The book has received far more praise and acclaim than it actually deserves, making it highly over-rated.

I can't help but wonder if those who love this book are simply being misled by the hype.

Personally, I found it to be a tiresome and unfulfilling read.

I hope with all my heart that it is not your favorite, as I would hate for you to waste your time on something so disappointing.

Perhaps there are other books out there that are truly worthy of your attention and admiration.

I encourage you to explore and discover them for yourself.

Rest in peace, Mr Pirsig. His passing is a great loss. And I am truly grateful for his book. It was a profound work that had a lasting impact on my thoughts. Mr Pirsig's ruminations on quality were not only thought-provoking but also among the most significant influences on my way of thinking. His ideas made me look at the world from a different perspective and question the values and standards that we often take for granted. The concept of quality that he presented was not just about the physical characteristics of a product or service but also about the intangible aspects such as beauty, truth, and goodness. His book was a journey of self-discovery and a search for meaning in a complex and often chaotic world. I will always remember the lessons I learned from it and be inspired by his words.

I read this years ago and truly loved it.

It was a remarkable piece that had a profound impact on me. The story or the content, whatever it was, had a certain charm and allure that kept me engaged from start to finish.

I remember how it made me feel, the emotions it evoked within me. It was like a journey through different worlds and experiences.

Even after all these years, the memory of reading it still lingers in my mind.

I often think back to that moment when I first discovered it and how it made me see things in a new light.

It was one of those rare finds that you cherish and hold dear.

I'm sure that if I were to read it again today, it would still have the same effect on me.

It's a testament to the power of good writing and the ability of a piece to touch our hearts and souls.

I first read this book shortly after it came out when I was barely into high school. At that time, I was just a young teenager with limited life experience. Needless to say, the content of the book was decent, but it felt pretty heavy for someone of my age. The ideas and themes presented in the book were a bit beyond my comprehension back then.

Now that several years have passed, both the book and I have grown older. I have gained more knowledge and experienced more in life. As a result, I've developed a greater appreciation for this book. I can now understand and relate to the deeper meanings and messages that the author was trying to convey. It has become a valuable piece of literature for me.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to others. It is definitely worth the time and effort to read. Whether you are a young reader or an adult, you are likely to find something meaningful and thought-provoking in its pages. So, give it a try and see for yourself what this wonderful book has to offer.

As soon as I completed this book, I promptly closed it and had an immediate urge to discard it in the trash. However, I refrained from doing so.

It was an arduous task to make it through the entire text, yet I persisted, hoping against hope that I would unearth some precious nugget of truth at the conclusion that would justify the agony of reading this overly self-obsessed and pompous author's attempt to "educate" us about life. Alas, my hopes were dashed.

Perhaps the author naively believed that by penning a book on the concept of Quality, readers would somehow equate the subject matter with their assessment of the work itself. But let me be clear, this was not quality writing. There was an abundance of redundancy and numerous inconsistencies in the narrator's so-called "theories" regarding life and other aspects.

I firmly believe that this book could have been more effectively presented as a concise essay, and we would have still grasped the intended message. I am truly astonished that it managed to achieve such popularity. I would have much preferred a book that delved into the details of the motorcycle ride or explored the relationship between a father and a son. But the philosophical meanderings in this particular book were nothing short of utter nonsense.

Please note that I mean no disrespect to those who have a deep affection for this book. Maybe I simply failed to understand its deeper meaning or there was something that eluded me.