ŷ

The Big Books of Summer 2025
Chelsea asked this question about Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values (Phaedrus, #1):
So far I am hating this book beyond belief, but I am not far in. The narrators condescension towards his friend makes me totally irate. Has anyone else had the same feeling at the beginning? Did it improve further on?
Patrick Stirling Interesting that several of the comments mention his condesension - I didn't notice that at all! I felt that the book was not intended to be autobiogr…mǰInteresting that several of the comments mention his condesension - I didn't notice that at all! I felt that the book was not intended to be autobiographical, or even factual. I thought he just used the motorcycle trip as a framework to illustrate his philosophical ideas. In that vein, his friend wasn't really a real person in this context, but a way to bring out the classical/romantic schism in a sometimes humorous way. The insult of suggesting that you fix my shiny new BMW with a piece of old beer can! How dare you suggest such a thing! :-) More seriously, I found the book got harder as it progressed and he gets deeper into the philosophy. But I loved it both times through.(less)
flag
F 25x33
Chelsea Sorry for the super late reply! I think I might be overly sensitive as my friend said I reminded her of the mechanically inclined guy - and as I read ...more
Jul 27, 2018 03:56PM
More questions about Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance�
Image for Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
by Robert M. Pirsig
Rate this book
Clear rating
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars

About ŷ Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the ŷ community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions