Customer Reviews

A Guide to the Perplexed

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This is a book that I could not put down. It is a treasure. I would have to say it is the best book I have ever read. The story is complex and subtle, and written with deep intelligence camoflauged behind what appears to be crude humor. Atzmon's philosophy of the psychology of the human being, and how the soul flounders helplessly between being consumed by desires and reaching for the divine is devastatingly poignant as political connections are made between this and the pleasure-obsessed consumer culture as the sublimation of denial and anger into a zen experience of lust.

The story is about the search for absolute love in today's sick society. "A Guide to the Perplexed" explores cultural identity in exile, the nihilism of the overfed, the collapse of the western democratic ideal, the existential fear of the absurd, and the subsequent withdrawal of society into collective schizophrenia.

The book takes on an incredible task of explaining the world through the philosophical framework of Peepology. This philosophy is actually very close to the Islamic philosophy of Turkish philosopher Harun Yahya in his book, "The Truth of the Life of This World" (harunyahya.org). However, Gilad Atzmon's parable of Al-Haqq (Reality) is far more entertaining and crass. Ultimately, the Bible itself is broken down into "word as meaning in flux within the anecdotal context," therefore annihilating the basis for the historical claims of the "Chosen People. This book is a delightful thought crime. It changed my life.

It's a screed - and like many, one should pay attention - but be on guard.
This novel is not what it promises. The title is taken from Maimonedes, the great 12th Century Jewish Physician/Philosopher/Talmud Chochom (wise man) - but this novel has nothing to do with the style or substance of The RAMBAM (as Maimonedes is affectionately known in the Jewish world). It is the picaresque tale of one Gunther Wunker who escapes a latter day (but near term) Israel before it falls - the author's loathing of this state is palpable and unredeemed. What he does give us is a fitfully amusing picaresque tale of a n'er-do-well who never finds his place in the world - though the world tries to give him an honored one. Atzmon mixes metaphors like crazy and never delivers on a clear vision of why Israel may fall or what should take its place. Just the story of a dislikable man.

Because it's a short little screed, and amusing in reasonable intervals - it's digestible. I recommend one digest it - if Atzmon represents what could have been Israel's best and brightest of the generation who should be running things now - and I believe he DOES (brightest, at least) - we need to know what failed and why (Atzmon's no help there).

Those finding Atzmon's book fascinating should be hipped to his group's new CD, Exiles, which essentially raises the same points musically as he does here verbally. There is an irony in this Israeli's use of Israeli songs to suggest contrary opinions of Israeli policy vis-a-vis the Palestinians. The rhythms are mid-Eastern, the substance is thought-provoking, the liner notes are in-your-face anti-Zionist, and the whole business is straight-on, sincere, controversial, and--- musically--- quite beautiful.
This is that rarity: a commentator at home woth both words and music.

Deftly written by Gilad Atzmon, A Guide To The Perplexed is a dark novel set in the near future. The year is 2052, and the state of Israel has become defunct, -- and most of its surviving former citizenry are overseas refugees. The story of one Gunther Wunker is revealed -- a man who became anti-Zionist and founded the "Peepology" intellectual discipline with its roots in the exile's position as voyeur. A reflective and fearless critical look at the evils of ethnic cleansing and the looming threat of dystopia, A Guide To The Perplexed is one of those vivid, apocalyptic glimpses of an all too possible future.

Although this is a very political book, it manages to discuss everything from sex to food, and does it in a very funny and entertaining way. This book reminded me very much of Gunther Grass's "stream of consciousness" novels in the way it connects politics and bodily functions in the most amusing way.
As to the central theme that Israel (or rather, the "Zionist Experiment") has failed totally and its end is near - this conclusion, no doubt, will anger many Zionists (just like Gunther Grass's books angered many a Christian Democrat in Germany).
The "Guide To The Perplexed" is filled with the ambivalence political refugees feel. On the one hand they cannot (will not) live in their "fatherland". On the other hand, they miss the food, the smells, the language, all the things that make life worth living.....