tarakingwrites's review against another edition
3.0
I'm trying to read 36 books in 2013 (3 per month--one fiction, one nonfiction, one poetry). And I'd like to review these books a bit after I've read them, and to select a quote or two that I liked.
"Nonrepresentative art is one of the root experiences I'm talking about. Some people still condemn it because it doesn't make 'sense.' But what's really wrong is not the art but the 'sense,' the classical reason, which can't grasp it. People keep looking for branch extensions of reason that will cover art's more recent occurrences, but the answers aren't IN the branches, they're at the roots." (p. 163)
"Mountains should be climbed with as little effort as possible and without desire. The reality of your own nature should determine the speed. If you become restless, speed up. If you become winded, slow down. You climb the mountain in an equilibrium between restlessness and exhaustion. Then, when you're not longer thinking ahead, each footstep isn't just a means to an end but a unique event in itself. THIS leaf has jagged edges. THIS rock looks looks. From THIS place the snow is less visible, even though closer. These are things you should notice anyway. To live only for some future goal is shallow. It's the sides of the mountain which sustain life, not the top. Here's where things grow." (p. 195-6)
"When you learn not to do 'just what you like' then the System loves you." (p. 225)
"Nonrepresentative art is one of the root experiences I'm talking about. Some people still condemn it because it doesn't make 'sense.' But what's really wrong is not the art but the 'sense,' the classical reason, which can't grasp it. People keep looking for branch extensions of reason that will cover art's more recent occurrences, but the answers aren't IN the branches, they're at the roots." (p. 163)
"Mountains should be climbed with as little effort as possible and without desire. The reality of your own nature should determine the speed. If you become restless, speed up. If you become winded, slow down. You climb the mountain in an equilibrium between restlessness and exhaustion. Then, when you're not longer thinking ahead, each footstep isn't just a means to an end but a unique event in itself. THIS leaf has jagged edges. THIS rock looks looks. From THIS place the snow is less visible, even though closer. These are things you should notice anyway. To live only for some future goal is shallow. It's the sides of the mountain which sustain life, not the top. Here's where things grow." (p. 195-6)
"When you learn not to do 'just what you like' then the System loves you." (p. 225)
ntjp's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
spai's review against another edition
3.0
Very interesting read but feels kind of empty and pointless. Came across as chewing version of Zen.
camuscameltoe's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sirdonandy's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
ngrosky89's review against another edition
2.0
Interesting opening but obtuse and pompous throughout. Im annoyed that I wasted all this time. Completely over it.
amymo73's review against another edition
Enjoyed this book. It made me think about what I wanted to be important in my life. It provided more questions than answers, which, really, may be the best thing. What is quality? What is the source of our understanding and knowledge? And perhaps most importantly, what is sanity? And who defines it? Sometimes you can love the questions too much, and it drives you mad. Other times, you avoid the questions and it makes you numb. But instead of seeing the world as a choice between two things (either-or, black-white) we need to see the hidden third choice. We may not always choose No. 3, but it will make our lives richer.
gogowhatwhat's review against another edition
4.0
I read this such a long time ago, that I really don't remember much of it, but I know when I read it I really enjoyed it!
almightybumble's review against another edition
3.0
Feel like I missed the point the author was trying to make...