A review by yash590
The Sacred Book of the Werewolf, by Victor Pelevin
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
From the titles and the first few pages, I thought this was going to be a silly book which will be funny as well. But as the novel progressed, some of the arguments in the book were so challenging that I had to move on with an imperfect understanding of what is being discussed.
Throughout the book, it discusses the idea that language is what limits our thoughts (sort of like an anti-Sapir-Whorf view) and towards the end, it mentions that language is what makes us stupid. It is interesting to read about philosophy which lies outside the realm of language, but I found it difficult to understand (is it meant to be understood?).
The book and the plot was funny, extremely caustic and engaging but the philosophy of the were-creatures is a little tough to grasp and I don't know whether to believe that it was an elaborate joke on the reader by the author.
Throughout the book, it discusses the idea that language is what limits our thoughts (sort of like an anti-Sapir-Whorf view) and towards the end, it mentions that language is what makes us stupid. It is interesting to read about philosophy which lies outside the realm of language, but I found it difficult to understand (is it meant to be understood?).
The book and the plot was funny, extremely caustic and engaging but the philosophy of the were-creatures is a little tough to grasp and I don't know whether to believe that it was an elaborate joke on the reader by the author.