Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 28 Jul 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

wavebreaker	28 Jul 2002
Somebody bought me this book as a present nearly 20 years ago. I tried reading it then, but one thing that put me off was the terrible translation (I got the Dutch translation). I was wondering if any of you knows the book (it's by Robert Pirsig, by the way) and what you think about it? Is it worth it struggling through the bad translation again? ;)

divinerguy	28 Jul 2002
Tarotlady - I can send you a copy of the book in English if you like to try it. I've never readi it, but I have a friend with a copy.

Umbrae	28 Jul 2002
It is a wonderful book. I have read it many times, and I highly recommend it. Read it! Struggle!

Laurel	28 Jul 2002
I've read it twice. It wasn't what I expected the first time when I tried to read it in my late teens, (very slow and without a "story") and I was dissapointed. Years later, I picked it up and discovered that I could look at the insight it provided now from an creeping to mid-aged adult perspective. Laurel

wavebreaker	28 Jul 2002
Ok, I'll give it another try ;) Laurel: I was about 18 when I read it for the first time, so maybe I too just wasn't "ready" for it then. Divinerguy: thanks for the kind offer! I'll give my own copy the benefit of the doubt first... ;)

starr	28 Jul 2002
i highly recommend this book, if not now try again when your frame of mind is different. Well worth reading every five years. Starr

Kaz	28 Jul 2002
read it in english tarotlady, that's way better, the library has it in the english section, even up north here :-) but DO read it, great book :-) kaz

the hermit	29 Jul 2002
"Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" plus "The Tao of Pooh" have to be 2 of the greatest philosophy books, written originally in english, ever!

zorya	29 Jul 2002
it's a wonderful book! give it a try! (in english)

wavebreaker	29 Jul 2002
Quote: Originally posted by the hermit "The Tao of Pooh" have to be 2 of the greatest philosophy books, written originally in english, ever! Yes, I have that one too, and I love it!! :)

the hermit	29 Jul 2002
Quote: Originally posted by tarotlady Yes, I have that one too, and I love it!! :) i knew you were a great sillyosopher... your reading habits proof it! :D

Moonklad	29 Jul 2002
It is a high QUALITY book! :) Those who have read the book should know what I mean hahah. A must read in my opinion. blessings, Moonklad

debins	29 Jul 2002
I think there is more than one theme going on in the book. The motorcycle maintenance aspect I took (personally) to mean that we each ought to better sustain ourselves. Being very feminine without any automotive or mechanical inclination whatsoever I thought I wouldn't enjoy the book. But I did immensely. The Zen part I took to suggest a personal journey. But try audio tape/books on tape. The intonation/voice inflection helps convey meaning immensely. Namaste, Debins.

Umbrae	29 Jul 2002
Oh My Gawd! You cannot dog-ear a tape! Get the book! It has nothing to do with motorcycle maintenance. It has nothing to do with Zen. It has everything to do with Motorcycle Maintenance. It has everything to do with Zen.

the hermit	29 Jul 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Umbrae Oh My Gawd! You cannot dog-ear a tape! Get the book! It has nothing to do with motorcycle maintenance. It has nothing to do with Zen. It has everything to do with Motorcycle Maintenance. It has everything to do with Zen. I SECOND THE MOTION!

wavebreaker	30 Jul 2002
I can also remember there was a part in it about creating technical documentation... Is my memory correct or is that just my age? :D I've never tried a book on tape and I don't think I ever will, I prefer reading myself...

Umbrae	30 Jul 2002
There may have been- - -Something about technical documentation- - -But just who was Phaedrus, and what part did he play in the shop? Why do folks ‘wired for sound’ now, echo a portion of the book written back in the ‘70’s. Why are Kant and Buddah the same? For the answers to these and even more questions...

The Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance thread was originally posted on 28 Jul 2002 in the Chat board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Chat, or read more archived threads.