DISQUS

CragBaby: Book Review: Dharma Bums

  • Steve · 4 months ago
    Ah, I feel partially responsible.. ironically, I only read half this book too! :-)

    I read 'On the Road' years ago as part of my beatnik apprenticeship and found it ok, but the Dharma Bums was way too much of a struggle.. ironically I was reading it whilst hitching round CA and bouldering in the Sierra... was hoping for some kind of connection with the story but just couldn't hack it..

    Great name for boulder prob though.. :-)
  • WasatchGirl · 4 months ago
    Ha ha... you only read 1/2 the book as well. Classic!

    Ooooo... that IS a great name for a boulder problem!
    Hope you are well, Steve.
    Rach
  • yosh · 4 months ago
    You get a big THUMBS DOWN for giving a negative review to a book that you didn't even finish! That is poor form. The book deserves better.
  • WasatchGirl · 4 months ago
    Yosh,
    Thanks for reading the blog.

    However, if you notice I give the book a neutral rating of thumbs up and thumbs down, feeling like I couldn't tell someone to read or not to read because I didn't finish it. And obviously my viewpoint is going to be mostly negative, hence why I didn't finish the book. If I would have loved it.. I would have kept reading. And even though I didn't finish it, I feel the right to review. Just like how I feel the right to review a boulder problem even if I don't top it out. Or review a trail run if I run only 3 miles of an 8 mile loop. I feel like I should disclose the information of not completing something, but feel like my thoughts are still of value.

    Also, all blogs have a different purpose. This blog is MY site that I use to track information, making it publicly available not as a revenue source, but just in case it is helpful to others (which I believe it is since I weekly get thank you emails). I am trying to read 30 books this year, finding the easiest way for me to track each book by writing a post on this blog. This blogs purpose is NOT to increase readership, but rather provide free content. I pay for the domain and hosting, sacrifice my time, and refuse to bombard readers with advertisements. If you do not like what I write, instead of spitting on my blog, please simply don't stop by. =)
    Thank you.
    Rachel
  • WasatchGirl · 4 months ago
    I do appreciate dissenting views. If you readers have a differing view, please let me know the reasons for your viewpoint rather than making personal cuts. I don't really appreciate personal cuts, but I do like a good conversation.
  • KarloMarx · 1 week ago
    This was my 3rd attempt at the book. I got on a "read all books you own before you buy a new book" streak. Hence my final attempt.

    I read the 1st 1/2 and started to realize why I couldn't finish. That being said...I forced myself to finish (last night) and would give the book...2/5 stars.

    :)
  • WasatchGirl · 1 week ago
    KarloMarx,
    Good job on finishing it. It is such a popular book I should have pushed through... but... I just caught myself not reading instead.

    Thanks for your review. And good luck on your reading all the books you own goal. :)
    Cheers.
    Rachel