59 pages 1 hour read

Robert M. Pirsig

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1974

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, published in 1974 by Robert M. Pirsig, follows a father and his son on a motorcycle journey across America, using the trip as a frame to explore philosophical ideas, conflicts, and resolutions about living a balanced life. The narrative weaves together Eastern and Western philosophies to address how technology can enrich rather than degrade human life, all while delving into the narrator's past and his relationship with his son, Chris. The journey from Minneapolis to San Francisco, along with their companions, the Sutherlands, provides a backdrop against which these themes are examined. Sensitive topics include mental health issues and past trauma.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig is lauded for its deep philosophical insights and unique narrative approach, blending a cross-country motorcycle journey with complex discussions on quality and the art of living. However, some readers find its philosophical passages dense and its pacing uneven, potentially alienating those seeking a straightforward travelogue.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance?

Readers who appreciate philosophical inquiries into life's meaning, combined with personal narrative, will enjoy Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. Fans of works like Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha and Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning that blend introspective reflection with engaging storytelling will find it compelling.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Lexile Level

1040L

Book Details

Topics

Philosophy

Psychology

Religion / Spirituality

Genre

Action / Adventure

Modern Classic Fiction

Auto/Biographical Fiction