A Traveller at the Gates of Wisdom

First of all, let me say this: this book is one of the most intense and deep exploration of the human condition, and what it means to be human in general. It does not shy away from triumphs and fails, and I think it generally succeed in being almost universal.

I would have easily given 5+ stars if not for the ending. It was in poor taste, and honestly just badly written. To Me, it feels like the author himself missed the whole theme of the book he himself wrote.

It's sad, but that means I cannot in pure heart give it the 5 stars I want to give so badly.

Maybe next time, John.

Interesting concept. I wish there had been less ‘characters' though. Some chapters were immersive if short while others were dull and a little tedious.

I picked up A Traveller at the Gates of Wisdom based on a list of books to read if you loved Cloud Cuckoo Land and while I can see why it made the list, the millennia spanning ideas, it lacked the intimacy and personal nature of CCL.

A Possible Life by Sebastian Faulks does a similar concept with more fluidity and less chaff