Book review: Ishmael by Daniel Quinn

Posted on

I recently finished reading “Ishmael” by Daniel Quinn, and I found it to be a compelling exploration of important philosophical questions. The book talk about humanity’s place in the world.

Main Theme and Message

At its core, “Ishmael” presents a powerful critique of modern civilization and its relationship with nature.
The book challenges readers to question what our civilization is truly enacting or trying to fulfill.
Through its narrative, Quinn invites us to reconsider our understanding of progress and our role in the natural world.

Main Characters

The story revolves around two primary characters:

  1. Ishmael: An intelligent gorilla with telepathic abilities. His motivation is to share his profound understanding of life and humanity’s role in the world.

  2. The unknown narrator: A human who has lost hope in saving the world but undergoes a significant perspective shift through his interactions with Ishmael.

My Emotional Response

I found “Ishmael” to be an insightful book. Quinn’s interpretation of the fall of man in the book of Genesis, although fictional, provided a fresh perspective that answered many of my questions about the story.
The presentation, particularly the use of a gorilla as a teacher, was intriguing and effectively captured my curiosity.

On the other hand, I was somewhat put off by the mention of Donald Trump and the use of the term “White Male” which felt out of place and slightly triggering.

Key Learnings

The book imparted several important lessons:

  1. The danger of humans acting as gods, deciding the fate of other species and ecosystems.
  2. The destructive impact of our actions on nature’s diversity and the potential for self-extinction.
  3. The unpleaseant choice humanity faces: extinction or the creation of a sustainable “paradise.”

Conclusion

“Ishmael” is a profound and thought-provoking read, it may not be suitable for everyone. Its themes can potentially lead to feelings of helplessness.
One should be open to challenge one’s perspectives before diving into the book.

But for me, this book was an excellent read!