5 ms·
While I enjoyed the book, for me going back over it years later, in the afterword for the second edition: a crushing blow. It now overshadows the book for me. I
by nickbauman 10y ago
While I enjoyed the book, for me going back over it years later, in the afterword for the second edition: a crushing blow. It now overshadows the book for me. It describes the murder and aftermath many years later of his son that was featured in the novel. Here. I found it. Read it.
:'(
http://theaetetus.tamu.edu/online-texts/zen/zen-afterword.html http://theaetetus.tamu.edu/online-texts/zen/zen-afterword.ht...
- bigjust 10y agoThis was the edition I first read. I distinctly remember after finishing it for the first time, and for some reason immediately starting the afterword, that having such a crushing affect after finishing the book, i really think it ruined my mood, and thus dampened the memory.
- deleted 10y ago[deleted]
- isoprophlex 10y agoMan that's a hammer to the head. I don't remember my copy having this afterword, thanks for linking to it.
- thesmallestcat 10y agoYou have to wonder what his son said to earn that treatment.
- jackhack 10y agoThere is no reasoning nor bargaining with evil. It simply is, and its job is to destroy.
- thesmallestcat 10y agoDid you read it? Chris said something which the witnesses could not hear. His assailant became angrier. Chris then said something that made him even more furious. He jammed the knife into Chris's chest. There's "evil," and then there's turning a mugging into getting knifed in the chest. Unless you're saying that this was the norm for SF muggings in the 80's. It's pretty likely that 22 year-old guy acted smart. That doesn't make it right, all I said was that I'd be interested in what exactly he said to provoke the response.
- nf05papsjfVbc 10y agoMatters not what said he. He who wields the weapon bears the charge.
- thesmallestcat 10y agoSo if you get mugged, you might as well spit in the face of the robber, right? Or tell him it's a shame he didn't apply himself in school, then quote Socrates, and laugh at his ignorance? Seeing that things are totally out of your hands, or something.
- deleted 10y ago[deleted]
- drzaiusapelord 10y agoThen a letter from him arrived which said, strangely, "I never thought I would ever live to see my 23rd birthday." His twenty-third birthday would have been in two weeks.