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Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (Dramatised) cover art

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (Dramatised)

Written by: Robert M. Pirsig, Peter Flannery
Narrated by: James Purefoy, full cast
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Publisher's Summary

An odyssey into life’s challenging questions during an unforgettable summer motorcycle trip

Acclaimed as one of the most exciting books in the history of American letters, Robert M. Pirsig’s Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance became an instant bestseller upon its publication in 1974. A powerful examination of how we live, as well as a breath-taking meditation on how to live better, it tells the epic story of a father and son’s motorcycle trip across America’s Northwest in the 1960s.

Pirsig’s modern classic transformed a generation and continues to inspire millions of readers today. Dramatised for radio for the first time by Peter Flannery (Our Friends in the North, George Gently, The Devil’s Whore), this fantastic full-cast production stars James Purefoy (Rome, Injustice, Ironclad) and adds a new and original dimension to an iconic work. Following a father and his young son on their cross-country summer adventure from Minnesota to California, it is a story of love, fear, growth, discovery and acceptance. Both personal and philosophical, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is also a compelling study of relationships, values, enlightenment and meaning.

The maintenance of the motorcycle throughout the journey illustrates how to unify the cold, rational realm of technology with the warm, imaginative realm of artistry. Resonating with the confusions and the wonders of existence, the narrator wrestles with some of the most important philosophical questions of the 20th century. His need to also reconcile his past and present selves drives him and his son forward, to a point where all is either lost or won on the Chautauqua spiritual journey.

This audio edition includes a bonus 10 minutes of material that was not broadcast on the radio.

NB: the recording contains strong language.

Production credits
Author: Robert M. Pirsig
Dramatist: Peter Flannery
Original music: Jon Nicholls
Sound Design: Eloise Whitmore
Producer: Melanie Harris

A Sparklab production for BBC Radio 4.

©2012 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2012 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

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What listeners say about Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (Dramatised)

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
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    4 out of 5 stars

Was great promise but felt short circuited

I thought this was book.. it was refreshing but the core ideas were just touched.. I will need to read the book to get the whole

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Terribly frustrating

The performance was excellent, no doubt about it. However it’s completely devoid of the soul and spirit that one will experience while reading the book.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Different story

The dramatised version was fun to listen and brought out strongly the authors point of view

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Mesmerizing narration

When you start hearing this audio book, from the very start you will be mesmerized by the energy of the narration. You can visualise the characters and the motorcycle, the road trip, the entire emotional and practical flow of the way the depth of thoughts and vivid imagination is put together. It is a perfect example of picturesque speech by the full cast.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Extraordinary!

It's truly extraordinary. And has potential to be life changing ....the way you look at your life. Hope it leads to bring alive the Phaedrus in each one of us!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Quality Read

It's a beautiful way to understand how the Ideas of the East and the West might find it's harmony into oneness. The ability to understand this age old dilema through a Bike its rider and the event of riding is just such a treat.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

nowhere close to the full book.

I found it overly dramatized in parts..I do wish the entire book had been put on audible rather than the condensed version.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Enlightening

Dharma... Buddha... Excellence... Quality... Call it by any name... Why have we gone so out of sync with our soul? Who are we without one! A fallen leaf, drifting with the wind...

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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A book of quality on Quality ! Masterpiece :)

Definitely a book worth reading and making a journey across America With phaedrus , Uncovers a sense of self buried deep within !

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beautiful :)

rationality , art and quality ;)
disappearance of dichotomy.
the descent of quality as if quality had made something.

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