This was extremely close for me. It just didn't completely fulfill the premise.

Here we have a journey that spans across time and the entire globe, all intertwined by a solitary painting. Heller traverses from Aristotle to Jimmy Carter, from the ancient city of Athens to modern-day America.

Heller arrives at the conclusion that a significant portion of our history is founded upon myth rather than fact. As a result, there is truly no feasible way for us to draw lessons from our past.

This idea challenges our traditional understanding of history and makes us question the reliability of the knowledge we have inherited. It forces us to reevaluate how we approach the study of the past and consider the implications of this realization for our future.

Perhaps we need to look beyond the myths and seek out the underlying truths that may be hidden within them. Or maybe we need to develop new methods of historical analysis that can better distinguish between fact and fiction.

Regardless of the approach, it is clear that Heller's work has opened up a new line of inquiry that has the potential to reshape our understanding of history and our place within it.

Good but not great.

I really enjoyed the context of Aristotle in a painting by Rembrandt being unstuck in time and having the ability to see the past and future. It was a very interesting and unique concept.

However, I don't think the elements in this story fit together as neatly as they could have. There were some parts that seemed a bit disjointed or not fully developed.

For example, the way Aristotle interacted with the people and events in the past and future could have been more detailed and explained.

Overall, while the idea was good, the execution could have been better to make it a truly great piece.

Maybe with some more refinement and attention to detail, the author could have made the story more cohesive and engaging.

Picture this! You are in your classroom and your history teacher is the funniest guy in the world!

Score: 10/10

It was love at first sight! When I was around 16 and read that sentence for the first time, I was quite intrigued. Although I managed to get some interesting reactions (wink wink) as a shy guy, I still think Heller's Catch 22 was the best thing I could get my hands on at that age.

Summary: “Picture This” is not just a superficial look at Rembrandt but a deep exploration into the minds of a person, a group of people, or society as a whole.

I was always conflicted about my history classes. They had some amazing stories, but often lacked the right narrator. However, “Picture This” changes all that. Good old Joey is the funniest person on the planet, and he won't disappoint when it comes to narration. He'll make you stop, read him twice or thrice, and then reward your patience with some beautifully flowing, yet nonsensical conversations. Even if the plot of this book were pure fiction, it would be impressive. But the fact that it's not makes it even better.

It's as real as Rembrandt's paintings, Socrates' teachings, Plato's intellect, and people's interest in art. You can hardly ask for more. Well, you can, and you'll get it too. In this book, you get to fall in love twice! (Heller is an obvious one, but...) If you were as ignorant as I was about Socrates, you'll end up reshuffling your all-time Top 3 people list. I promise! Just do yourself a favor and read it! Seriously!

#whatwouldSocratesdoitsarealtthing #heneverwroteaword#neverlearnedhowtousethese

Favourite quote: “The desire of some men for peace is a frequent cause of war”

Bonus: http://billmoyers.com/content/joseph-...

You have more?

My very first encounter with Joseph Heller - and what an absolute adventure it was.

This so-called 'novel' is a fascinating blend. It is part fictionalized account of Rembrandt's life, part exploration of Aristotle's existence, and part comparison between Greek democracy and the present day. It truly opens up a Pandora's box of ideas.

The history of art and the authorship of renowned paintings are also thoroughly examined. The concept of viewing history through the perspective of one of the participants is ingeniously incorporated into the narrative.

I particularly love the detail where as Rembrandt paints Aristotle's eye, he miraculously gains sight, and as he paints his ear, he acquires hearing. The contrast between their different viewpoints makes for a reading experience that is at times amusing, at times alarming, and always thought-provoking.

This is an extremely unusual and captivating read that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for something truly unique.

**Original Article**: The importance of exercise cannot be overemphasized. It helps to keep our bodies healthy and strong. Regular exercise can also improve our mood and reduce stress. We should make exercise a part of our daily routine.

**Expanded Article**:

The significance of exercise simply cannot be exaggerated. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and strength of our bodies. When we engage in regular exercise, it has a profound impact on our overall well-being.

Not only does it keep our physical selves in good shape, but it also has a remarkable effect on our mental state. It can enhance our mood, making us feel happier and more positive. Additionally, it is an effective way to reduce stress levels.

In order to reap the numerous benefits of exercise, we should make a conscious effort to incorporate it into our daily lives as a regular routine. This could involve activities such as jogging, cycling, or going to the gym. By doing so, we are taking an important step towards a healthier and more fulfilling life.

DNF ~ 80%

The beginning of this work was rather interesting and amusing. Despite the "no plot only vibes" style of writing, it managed to capture my attention initially. The pithy remarks that suggested some parallels between ancient Greece, Rembrandt's Europe, and the present day were quite thought-provoking at first. However, as I continued reading, these remarks started to feel tiring. There seemed to be nothing else to carry the narrative forward, and I simply couldn't be bothered anymore.

I did notice that someone in the reviews mentioned that the author followed the actual biographies of Rembrandt and Aristotle quite closely. I guess that's kind of cool. It shows that the author did some research and tried to incorporate historical elements into the story. But unfortunately, for me, it wasn't enough to keep me engaged until the end. Maybe if there had been more of a plot or some deeper character development, I would have been more interested. As it stands, I'm left feeling rather disappointed.

Rembrandt is one of the most renowned and influential painters in the history of art. His works are characterized by their masterful use of light and shadow, as well as his ability to capture the essence and emotions of his subjects.

The image provided shows one of Rembrandt's paintings. The details in the painting are truly remarkable. The use of color and texture adds depth and dimension to the scene. The way Rembrandt has painted the figures gives them a sense of life and realism.

Click on the link here to view the full-size image and explore the details for yourself.

Heller is indeed a remarkable author.

Consequently, this book proves to be far more engaging and readable than what its initial premise and length might lead one to expect.

Surprisingly, it lacks a truly distinct main character and contains very little dialogue. This is rather unfortunate as Heller truly excels at writing dialogue, perhaps better than almost anyone else.

It would be highly beneficial to have a clear understanding of what is fictional and what is nonfictional within the text. This is because more than half of the book is dedicated to guiding the reader through the history of Athens during the times of Plato and Socrates.

This historical exploration adds depth and context to the overall narrative, but without a clear demarcation between fact and fiction, it can sometimes be a bit confusing for the reader.

Nevertheless, Heller's writing style and his ability to bring this ancient era to life make the book a worthwhile read, despite its few shortcomings.

A brilliant plot.

It is a great literary exercise that is very well executed.

The story unfolds in a captivating manner, with twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

The characters are well-developed, each with their own unique personalities and motives.

The author's use of language is masterful, painting vivid pictures in the reader's mind and creating a truly immersive experience.

This work of literature is a testament to the author's talent and creativity, and is sure to be enjoyed by readers of all ages.

Whether you are a fan of mystery, adventure, or romance, this story has something for everyone.

It is a must-read for anyone who appreciates good literature and wants to be entertained by a truly engaging story.

Overall, it is a brilliant piece of work that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a great read.

The sarcasm employed in this piece was incredibly heavy-handed.

It was as if a sledgehammer had been used to drive home each and every point, leaving no room for any semblance of life or humor to shine through the pages.

The writer seemed to be so intent on being sarcastic that they completely overlooked the importance of maintaining a certain balance and lightness in their work.

As a result, the entire piece felt flat and unappealing, lacking the charm and wit that could have made it truly engaging.

It's a shame that such a potentially interesting topic was marred by this overuse of sarcasm, as it could have been presented in a much more effective and enjoyable way.

Perhaps the writer should consider toning down the sarcasm and exploring other ways to convey their message, so that the readers can actually find some value and entertainment in their work.

Rather than simply labelling Heller's Picture This as a "novel", I would describe it as an "imaginative rumination".

Heller crafts a substantial book with a seminal moment being Rembrandt's final days as he completes his painting, Aristotle Contemplating the Bust of Homer. This allows Heller to present meditative accounts of the lives and works of Aristotle, Socrates, and Plato. In turn, it leads to discussions about the various forms of politics in Athens during the philosophers' lifetimes, with a particular focus on one of Socrates' pupils, Alcibiades.

Further ramifications include shorter takes on Alexander the Great (Aristotle's pupil), Plato's ill-conceived perfect societies (proposed in The Republic and revised in The Laws), and Aristotle's last days in exile from Athens. Heller endows Rembrandt's anachronistic image of Aristotle with consciousness, but it is Socrates to whom he frequently returns and with whom he concludes this extensive rumination on art, politics, war, and wisdom. The trial and death of Socrates, as recounted by Plato, are reworked by Heller, who particularly highlights the absurdities of the trial, bringing to mind both Kafka and Koestler. The tranquility and calm with which Socrates endures his death suggest that it is the abiding spirit a reader must adopt when taking in all the peculiar and contrary human impulses that Heller illuminates in this discursive and digressive meditation.

Rembrandt himself also receives some attention, enabling Heller to examine the emergence of the 17th century's greatest mercantile economy and its commercial and political empire-building. Even in the midst of this prosperous enterprise, the Dutch were still engaged in an 80-year war with Spain, while Amsterdam (and Rembrandt) simply carried on with their affairs. Rembrandt does not come across as an exemplary man, and the Aristotle on his canvas remarks on how much better a painter he is than a man. Heller relates how Rembrandt's extant literary output consists of a collection of seven terse letters regarding payment for his paintings; additionally, Rembrandt spent most of his life in debt, fending off creditors while pilfering from his son's and mistress' inheritances.

The numerous digressions result in a web of connections and comparisons that inevitably lead to a mention of warmongering in the United States (such as in Vietnam). Heller is ironic and satiric in juxtaposing images of hawkish democrats in Athens with neo-conservative war hawks in the United States, but there is no condemnation; it is more of a passing comment. In such juxtapositions and comparisons, Heller vividly makes the point that our contemporary issues are not unique (even today, 35 years after the book's publication), and that, in fact, there is nothing new under the sun.

Heller is witty, informative, and engaging enough to sustain this peculiar meditation for several hundred pages, and I found myself continuously delighted by this intermingling of fact, fiction, and rumination.

“Picture This” is an outstanding book on multiple fronts.

The very concept of the novel is nearly ingenious, and the way it is executed is no small accomplishment. Mr. Heller manages to pull it off with great finesse.

It's truly astonishing that this novel, published in 1988, feels as if it were written just yesterday about the most current events. It serves as a powerful reminder of how history is a cycle of events and how Western Civilization (and all civilizations for that matter) repeatedly rotates through the same stories. Page 101 of this text is a literal description of the current political leadership in the Western world, which is eerily prescient.

One of the greatest pleasures of this novel lies in its style. It is filled with irony upon irony, intertwined with sarcasm and dry, dark humor. The irony abounds, yet it is presented in such a way that it never seems excessive. There were numerous times while reading this text that I was reminded of reading Kurt Vonnegut.

Some of the highlights of the book include “Section VII: Biography,” which is brilliant. It combines a history lesson, a satire of modern life, and excellent reading and writing all in one, providing a real delight. “Section XV: The Last Laugh” is a clever overview of Western Civilization, told while explaining the journey that Rembrandt’s painting “Aristotle Contemplating a Bust of Homer” took from its original owner in the mid-1600s to its current home at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.

A couple of examples of the wit in this text include one of the truest things I've ever read in a novel: “A middle-aged man with a theory to which he has long been attached grows less interested in whether it is true and more obsessed that it be accepted as true…” and the biting yet very accurate “That property owned in common by all of the people is owned by none of the people but belongs to the government.” Seriously, folks, that's some major truth right there!

I first read “Picture This” 16 years ago and remember liking it. Although the last couple of chapters may drag a little compared to those that come before, the novel is truly exceptional. I was worried that my opinion of the text would change for the worse, but I needn't have fretted. This book holds up extremely well and is well worth your time.