Classic,I love his book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.It is not only a brilliant drama but also deep probe to the soul of man.I cried in the end when I red that Chris died later,but daughter Nell who was born then,brought much happiness to their family of Robert M.Pirsig. And Phaedrus dissapeared forever...
Back at age 60 re-reading ZAMM which I read as a 20 year old on a Honda 350. So many things have not changed but my perspective is so much different now. I am also back on a motorcycle now that my sons have grown and left. How do we reconcile our deepening personal relationships with technology and still remain human? This is one of the most fundamental existential matters we face moving forward. The key will always be balance - just like riding a motorcycle.
I read it,then read it again,then again,one day one of the builders I was working with said " wow your so at peace" and I realised that the book came through.
Seriously people, this book is brilliant, it is philosophy strung along with a story from actual events of a trip and not dramatized a la Hollywood style. I call that non fiction. There is room for some small amount of poetic license in order to tell a story and yet remain true.
'Zen And The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance' was wonderful book, hugely stimulating and fog-clearing. I took from it ideas that never left me. I wish more Millennials would read it, I think it might help them understand old folks like me or at least my generation's unease with aspects of Western culture.
@Danorowski: ZMM is not a novel. There can be no spoilers of the 'plot'. Chris died and Nell was born after the book was published. @Marianne: I think it would be more correct to say that Phaedrus 'reappeared forever'.
He actually says that the events in the books are true, but some elements have been changed for the sake of rhetoric. So the motorcycle trip actually happened.
It's been years I read his book but I can remember that it actually opened some new ways of thinking towards motorcycling - and actually everything else too. At the same time I read other books concerning zen, too. So it's not only Pirsig but he was very innovative. Some say it's bs but they perhaps have not gotten the idea yet... Seems everyone worth mentioning is dead nowadays, just read some books by Oliver Sacks...
I haven't finished it yet, but I'm having no trouble understanding it thank you. I just don't like having any of the fictional story spoiled before I've read it.
Go on the Wikipedia Page of the Book. Look at where it says Genre: Philosophical Novel. Click it. Takes you to the page titled "Philosophical Fiction". Do you need further clarification? If so, read the Wikipedia article.
That doesn't mean it isn't fiction. Fiction is simply a narrative, a story. A film can be based on a true story, but it is still fiction, but if it is done in a non fiction manner, it is a documentary.
Introduction: ...is essentially 3 books, an account of a motorcycle trip from Minnesota to California, a philosophical meditation on the concept of Quality and the story of a man haunted by the Ghost of his former self. If you're reading it, you would realise that the book is broken up into these different parts. I am referring to the Motorcycle trip, which is fictional, but based on a true story.
I think you did not understand this book. This isn't a story that has any beginning or an end. It is an exploration of mind. As he says in the book several times -- sometimes the travel is more important than the destination.
I know the book has been classified as non-fiction. But as I said it's split into 3 parts, and it's not the same traditional style of fiction as most story books are. How do I know? Because I can differentiate between fiction and non fiction. It would seem you've missed something that was obvious to me, but perhaps not to you, but as I said before If you're going to try and read this book, you should be able to tell the difference.
You told me that the motorcycle trip was fictional. I was not aware. I know now. I do not disagree with you because I trust what you are saying must be true. Thank you.
Here I am, a current reader of the book, reading your comment and then, all of a sudden, as if a ninja sneaked upon me, I was spoiled the ending of the book. Seriously, before you babble it out, think what you write.
I am reading it these days, halfway through. No, I do not know what you mean by "fictional story". Really, I did not disagree just for the sake of it. In fact, please do correct me and point out where I have been wrong so that I know.
Haha fair enough... Just as a passing remark, I would have thought if you were going to read this book you would be able to differentiate between fiction and non fiction.
Yes I know, but I assume you've read it? And If you have, you would know what I meant by "fictional story". Stop pretending not to understand me for the sake of disagreeing, it's pointless and dull.
![บังเอิญมันได้อ่ะ - แอน อรดี [OFFICIAL MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/9fwjammKY4A/mqdefault.jpg)
Thank you for everything Mr. Robert Pirsig, rest in peace.
ZMM is one of my all-time favorite books. I have read it a dozen times. That being said, "Lila" is even more brilliant.
This programme was first aired by the BBC on their Radio 4 FM station on 31 October, 1993 at 19:30 GMT.
Classic,I love his book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.It is not only a brilliant drama but also deep probe to the soul of man.I cried in the end when I red that Chris died later,but daughter Nell who was born then,brought much happiness to their family of Robert M.Pirsig. And Phaedrus dissapeared forever...
Back at age 60 re-reading ZAMM which I read as a 20 year old on a Honda 350. So many things have not changed but my perspective is so much different now. I am also back on a motorcycle now that my sons have grown and left. How do we reconcile our deepening personal relationships with technology and still remain human? This is one of the most fundamental existential matters we face moving forward. The key will always be balance - just like riding a motorcycle.
Read this book more than a few times. It influenced and shaped my life. 😊 Full-on gratitude 🎏🎊💕
I read it,then read it again,then again,one day one of the builders I was working with said " wow your so at peace" and I realised that the book came through.
It's a truly great book. Incredibly authentic.
I own a motorcycle and ride ever so often and was baffled by this book and I still own it .
Seriously people, this book is brilliant, it is philosophy strung along with a story from actual events of a trip and not dramatized a la Hollywood style. I call that non fiction. There is room for some small amount of poetic license in order to tell a story and yet remain true.
I would love to find another book like it, but alas I have not been able to
@@whalingwithishmael7751 Try Ulysses :-)
I'm reading it now!!!
+topdog Try Lolita :-)
Mindblowing and each time I have reread it, I was able te detect more value. And, it will be like that each time I will reread it in the coming years.
'Zen And The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance' was wonderful book, hugely stimulating and fog-clearing. I took from it ideas that never left me. I wish more Millennials would read it, I think it might help them understand old folks like me or at least my generation's unease with aspects of Western culture.
One I thee many mentors
RIP Robert.
Thanks for clearing this up!
Quality!
@Danorowski: ZMM is not a novel. There can be no spoilers of the 'plot'. Chris died and Nell was born after the book was published.
@Marianne: I think it would be more correct to say that Phaedrus 'reappeared forever'.
正在读《禅与摩托车维修艺术》，类似的感受让我想到了史铁生的《我与地坛》
He actually says that the events in the books are true, but some elements have been changed for the sake of rhetoric. So the motorcycle trip actually happened.
nice, thank U
This book is a carefully crafted fictionalised semi-autobiographical novel, like On the Road.
It's been years I read his book but I can remember that it actually opened some new ways of thinking towards motorcycling - and actually everything else too. At the same time I read other books concerning zen, too. So it's not only Pirsig but he was very innovative.
Some say it's bs but they perhaps have not gotten the idea yet...
Seems everyone worth mentioning is dead nowadays, just read some books by Oliver Sacks...
I haven't finished it yet, but I'm having no trouble understanding it thank you.
I just don't like having any of the fictional story spoiled before I've read it.
Go on the Wikipedia Page of the Book.
Look at where it says Genre: Philosophical Novel.
Click it.
Takes you to the page titled "Philosophical Fiction".
Do you need further clarification?
If so, read the Wikipedia article.
Thanks for uploading. Which program is this taken from?
This program was first aired by the BBC on their Radio 4 FM station on 31 October, 1993 at 19:30 GMT.
That doesn't mean it isn't fiction. Fiction is simply a narrative, a story. A film can be based on a true story, but it is still fiction, but if it is done in a non fiction manner, it is a documentary.
Correction - The book has largely been classified as a non-fiction (Time included it in the list of 100 greatest "non-fiction")
Introduction:
...is essentially 3 books, an account of a motorcycle trip from Minnesota to California, a philosophical meditation on the concept of Quality and the story of a man haunted by the Ghost of his former self.
If you're reading it, you would realise that the book is broken up into these different parts.
I am referring to the Motorcycle trip, which is fictional, but based on a true story.
I think you did not understand this book. This isn't a story that has any beginning or an end. It is an exploration of mind. As he says in the book several times -- sometimes the travel is more important than the destination.
I did not know that the motorcycle trip bit was fictional.
I am curious, how is that clear? I mean, how do you know that the bike trip is fictional? Did I miss something so obvious?
Are you saying you do now, or that you disagree with me?
I know the book has been classified as non-fiction. But as I said it's split into 3 parts, and it's not the same traditional style of fiction as most story books are.
How do I know? Because I can differentiate between fiction and non fiction.
It would seem you've missed something that was obvious to me, but perhaps not to you, but as I said before If you're going to try and read this book, you should be able to tell the difference.
You told me that the motorcycle trip was fictional. I was not aware. I know now. I do not disagree with you because I trust what you are saying must be true. Thank you.
Here I am, a current reader of the book, reading your comment and then, all of a sudden, as if a ninja sneaked upon me, I was spoiled the ending of the book. Seriously, before you babble it out, think what you write.
Me the same thing!
I am reading it these days, halfway through. No, I do not know what you mean by "fictional story". Really, I did not disagree just for the sake of it. In fact, please do correct me and point out where I have been wrong so that I know.
Haha fair enough...
Just as a passing remark, I would have thought if you were going to read this book you would be able to differentiate between fiction and non fiction.
Yes I know, but I assume you've read it?
And If you have, you would know what I meant by "fictional story".
Stop pretending not to understand me for the sake of disagreeing, it's pointless and dull.
Could you really not work out what I mean without me needing to explain?
.
.