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vikingvisuals's reviews
62 reviews
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse
5.0
“Truly, nothing in the world has so occupied my thoughts as this I, this riddle, the fact I am alive, that I am separated and isolated from all others, that I am Siddhartha! And about nothing in the world do I know less about than me, about Siddhartha!”
At first glance, I was not sure how much I would enjoy this book. Coming from Hesse I figured it must be good and I had always heard such wonderful things, but honestly my experiences and struggles with the "new age" trend had put me so off from anything revolving around Eastern religion and philosophy that I thought a book dealing with such ideas would just invoke in me negative memories or responses. But then I started to read the book and found myself completely captivated by it.
I was captivated not so much by all the ideas expressed in the work (although many ideas are very beautiful) but simply in the way it was all written. I found myself drawn to every passage and in love with the expressive descriptions of it all. Siddhartha's quest, a quest that he took up as his and his alone, going against the teachings and traditions of others, was one that I found extremely entertaining. Govinda, his loyal friend (and perhaps one of the most loyal friends) was a relatively infrequent, yet always memorable presence.
When I finished the book after only a few short sittings I felt completely moved by it. It was just a lovely read that left me with a tremendous feeling of euphoria in the end, something that I do not experience in literature very often. I recommend the book to everyone, it could easily be read in one sitting if you have enough time and is truly worth the effort (of which would, if you enjoy the language as much as me, is no effort at all).
At first glance, I was not sure how much I would enjoy this book. Coming from Hesse I figured it must be good and I had always heard such wonderful things, but honestly my experiences and struggles with the "new age" trend had put me so off from anything revolving around Eastern religion and philosophy that I thought a book dealing with such ideas would just invoke in me negative memories or responses. But then I started to read the book and found myself completely captivated by it.
I was captivated not so much by all the ideas expressed in the work (although many ideas are very beautiful) but simply in the way it was all written. I found myself drawn to every passage and in love with the expressive descriptions of it all. Siddhartha's quest, a quest that he took up as his and his alone, going against the teachings and traditions of others, was one that I found extremely entertaining. Govinda, his loyal friend (and perhaps one of the most loyal friends) was a relatively infrequent, yet always memorable presence.
When I finished the book after only a few short sittings I felt completely moved by it. It was just a lovely read that left me with a tremendous feeling of euphoria in the end, something that I do not experience in literature very often. I recommend the book to everyone, it could easily be read in one sitting if you have enough time and is truly worth the effort (of which would, if you enjoy the language as much as me, is no effort at all).
Anna by Jostein Gaarder
2.0
I just finished reading this book in the original Norwegian, and in that since can say nothing to the quality of this specific translation, but nonetheless I must say the book, despite being only 220 pages, seemed to drag on and on with similar concepts repeating and other concepts never truly being brought to an understandable conclusion.
The book started off interesting enough and I presumed that it would develop into a wonderful, thought provoking book on climate change that may be powerful enough to influence those who read it. Unfortunately the charm of the book was quickly lost when the story started to "develop". At first I was confused with the random sequences switching between time periods and characters, then as the book went on I realized that the formula just needed to be flushed out. Unfortunately the formula was completely unsatisfactory. A dream sequence in one time period would essentially just be re-explained and described in further detail in the next chapter through Anna to either her psychologist or her boyfriend.
The characters are uninteresting and the happenings in the book just make it feel dull. Since my Norwegian is not perfect I originally thought it was just a misunderstanding, but after rereading passages carefully (and now looking at the review of others) I realize it was no misunderstanding, simply just that confusing at times.
When it comes to the environmental parts and arguments for the importance of taking care of the earth, the book may be good for its intended younger audience. For older readers it may however be uninteresting, especially if you are familiar with climate change, the science behind it, and the arguments to change it. Nonetheless very important and some of the passages are in this regard interesting to read. Unfortunately the stories within the story are more interesting then the story itself and in that regard I would not really recommend it. I found the ending to be very lacking and only more confusing and felt like a lot of things were not concluded. Yet the open ends were not interesting enough for me to care about what their possible meanings could have been.
The book started off interesting enough and I presumed that it would develop into a wonderful, thought provoking book on climate change that may be powerful enough to influence those who read it. Unfortunately the charm of the book was quickly lost when the story started to "develop". At first I was confused with the random sequences switching between time periods and characters, then as the book went on I realized that the formula just needed to be flushed out. Unfortunately the formula was completely unsatisfactory. A dream sequence in one time period would essentially just be re-explained and described in further detail in the next chapter through Anna to either her psychologist or her boyfriend.
The characters are uninteresting and the happenings in the book just make it feel dull. Since my Norwegian is not perfect I originally thought it was just a misunderstanding, but after rereading passages carefully (and now looking at the review of others) I realize it was no misunderstanding, simply just that confusing at times.
When it comes to the environmental parts and arguments for the importance of taking care of the earth, the book may be good for its intended younger audience. For older readers it may however be uninteresting, especially if you are familiar with climate change, the science behind it, and the arguments to change it. Nonetheless very important and some of the passages are in this regard interesting to read. Unfortunately the stories within the story are more interesting then the story itself and in that regard I would not really recommend it. I found the ending to be very lacking and only more confusing and felt like a lot of things were not concluded. Yet the open ends were not interesting enough for me to care about what their possible meanings could have been.
The Brain: The Story of You by David Eagleman
5.0
After reading his collaborative effort with Anthony Brandt regarding creativity, I was really inspired to read more from him. Despite his exceptional background in neuroscience and the study of the brain, David Eagleman has a way of really putting complex concepts simply.
Many of the concepts identified in this book were ones that I have encountered previously, often in regards to philosophy (especially philosophy of mind), however this time they were presented along with current research, as being undertaken by countless neuroscientists around the world.
Even without any background in this subject or the ideas presented, I believe this book is a phenomenal, enjoyable, and relatively short introduction into how our brains are responsible for our world. Thus I would recommend this book to everyone as a primer to not only understanding but appreciating the wonderful devices that allow us to experience absolutely everything.
Many of the concepts identified in this book were ones that I have encountered previously, often in regards to philosophy (especially philosophy of mind), however this time they were presented along with current research, as being undertaken by countless neuroscientists around the world.
Even without any background in this subject or the ideas presented, I believe this book is a phenomenal, enjoyable, and relatively short introduction into how our brains are responsible for our world. Thus I would recommend this book to everyone as a primer to not only understanding but appreciating the wonderful devices that allow us to experience absolutely everything.
Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker
5.0
As someone who has always struggled with sleep, I thought I always knew how important sleep was. It was obvious to me how the missing hours of sleep caused me to feel exhausted throughout the day, thus hampering my desire as well as ability to get things done, even those things which I enjoy.
However reading this book made me realize that there are countless other aspects of my health and happiness that have suffered under my insomnia. Matthew Walker provides in this book irrefutable evidence of the importance of sleep and the disservice to ourselves and our fellow human beings we have unwittingly caused by our own lack (or sometimes willingness) of understanding in regards to this importance.
Through the citation of countless studies, some of which were under his own guidance, Matthew Walker illustrates various aspects of our health and well-being impacted by sleep. Through these studies and his wonderful explanation the reader is able to not only understand the importance, but see to it that these lessons are shared.
During my time reading this book I found myself understanding just how much my own sleep deprivation lined up with those negative consequences described in this book. I found myself also discussing the studies or statistics illustrated with those around me, even after the first few pages.
I have taken the information in this book to heart and am now doing my best to seek out further help in regards to my sleep health. Additionally I have been keeping up with the sleep hygiene rituals discussed towards the end of the book.
This book has been for me one of the most important books and one that I consider to be nearly essential reading for everyone, especially in a world that has not yet understood just how powerful sleep is and how neglecting we have been to it's powers.
However reading this book made me realize that there are countless other aspects of my health and happiness that have suffered under my insomnia. Matthew Walker provides in this book irrefutable evidence of the importance of sleep and the disservice to ourselves and our fellow human beings we have unwittingly caused by our own lack (or sometimes willingness) of understanding in regards to this importance.
Through the citation of countless studies, some of which were under his own guidance, Matthew Walker illustrates various aspects of our health and well-being impacted by sleep. Through these studies and his wonderful explanation the reader is able to not only understand the importance, but see to it that these lessons are shared.
During my time reading this book I found myself understanding just how much my own sleep deprivation lined up with those negative consequences described in this book. I found myself also discussing the studies or statistics illustrated with those around me, even after the first few pages.
I have taken the information in this book to heart and am now doing my best to seek out further help in regards to my sleep health. Additionally I have been keeping up with the sleep hygiene rituals discussed towards the end of the book.
This book has been for me one of the most important books and one that I consider to be nearly essential reading for everyone, especially in a world that has not yet understood just how powerful sleep is and how neglecting we have been to it's powers.