The Bookian » Philosophy

Ubik

Bookian — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:56:17 +0000

Sitting in my coffin the other day, had a few minutes of extra half-life time, decided to catch up on re-reading the entire philip k. dick ouevre, and picked up Ubik. Of course, the evil neighborhood kid kept coming by and kicking the tires, disturbing my piece of mind. finally, I got so fed up, unable to concentrate on the great book, that I tried yelling to scare him off. But he kept coming back, coming back, coming back. Now I cant even get out of bed, just sit here mumbling to myself over and over. sometimes i think theres another voice but its probably just that kid. so tired. want to finish the book but no energy left. theres some kind of leak in the roof, moisture has started dripping in and sogging up the book, everytime i try to turn a page it just decays in my fingers. Which im not sure are mine. anyway. If you happen by, please help me out here. that horrible kid just keeps yelling, and kicking, and yelling, and… – reviewed by Voglesgang

Definitely Maybe

Bookian — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:47:17 +0000

One of the All Time Best Books. Ever. Arkady and Boris pushed the boundaries way back when, when there were still boundaries. Or maybe they didnt. Some have hated it. Others have loved it. But it is by far the best. Ever. Russian scientists and mathematicians live in gulag-style apartment complexes and never leave. Or Maybe they do. They might if they cared. Anyway thats not the point. The point is, its got cats and voluptuous distractions, along with vodka. No, wait… no vodka. Or vodka, but no voluptuous. Never mind. This book should be purchased and read today. Except, its a little hard to get a new copy because it hasnt been reprinted in, like, forever? So it might take a couple days. While were at it, why dont we just forget about it anyway. Take a trip to the boerarrium instead. No, forget that… the point is, its the best book. Ever. Except for the vodka. Actually, the vodkas OK. Hell, its all good. I think. Either way, good luck finding a copy. I found mine at a garage sale. – reviewed by Confessor

The Complete Works of Chuang Tzu

Bookian — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:26:17 +0000

Nobody is a better translator of Chinese into English than Burton Watson. And this edition of one of the best Chinese thinkers of all time, Chuang Tzu, or Zhuangzi, or Chuang Chou or Zhuang Zhou, or Master Chuang or Master Zhuang, is the definitive translation to own. Cook Ting is a master to the slaughter, the ten thousand holes blow loudly, and the Great Clod belches forth the best atheist spiritual tradition in pure scientific method before the lands of the immortals. Inspired a million chinese hermits to crawl into holes in rocks and hang out watching the pine tree needles fall for years on end. When they return to civilization, mroe than three people, they talk about visitors from outer space. Dont beleive me? Go visit the mountains. – reviewed by Lao Tzu