Jan 29, 2004 08:42 PM
1552 Views
(Updated Jan 29, 2004 08:43 PM)
31 reviews!!!
Hat?s what this book has elicited, and each of it's reviews has been positive. Some, quite reverential.
It?s time someone voiced the minority opinion. Mine.
Before I go into this, let me admit that almost everyone I know, loves this book. Maybe my opinion could be the symptom of a skewed judgement.
I would however like to make one point clear. I hate this book!
Why?
Simple. This book is, at its best condescending. It assumes that the reader does not have the time, the taste or the ability to think for himself. That he/she will not have the attention span to really really go into the issues involved.
So what does mr. Coelho do?
He gives us a packaged product. ready-mix, for instant gratification.
No challenges to the intellect. no taxing of the reader?s imagination.
But is this surprising?
This is, after all, the age of the idiot box. when generations of people have been reduced to being told what clothes to wear, or how using a particular brand of toothbrush can make them happy individuals (with the tri-ceps of arnold to boot).
It is indeed the age of instant coffee and bold and the beautiful.
People who gush over this ?masterpiece? would be advised to read ?Sophie?s World?. A children?s book, which ably demonstrates all those qualities this book aspires to but lacks.
Sorry Mr. Coelho. I for one do not need a hallucinogen in paper.
I have visions of my own.
