Die Möwe Jonathan

by Richard Bach

Richard Bach ist einer der meistgelesenen neuzeitlichen Schriftsteller der USA. Seine zahlreichen Bücher sind in allen möglichen Sprachen erschienen und ausnahmslos Bestseller. Wer auch nur Eines gelesen hat, weiß, warum. Bach schreibt mit Liebe, Humor und aus Erfahrung. Trotzdem ist er kein Lehrmeister -- eher der wohlmeinende Freund an der Tür des Kranken. Einmal hereingelassen, bringt er Mut, Inspiration und Hoffnung.

Schon sowas wie ein Kultbuch, Die Möwe Jonathan handelt von Freiheit, von Selbstverwirklichung, vom Leben selbst. Ein kurzweiliger Schmöker, dessen Tiefe nur begrenzt wird, von der Vorstellungskraft und Offenheit des Lesers selbst. Wer seine Wochenenden gern mit Heidegger und Dostojewski verbringt, oder sich für Stunden in Fachliteratur verlieren kann: Hände weg, das bringt's nicht! Aber wer gern mal mit leichter, nahezu poetischer Lektüre entspannt, wer mit dem Herzen liest, wer gern mit den Möwen über die unendlichen Weiten sanfter Wellen und steiler Klippen seine aerobatischen Kunststücke vollbringen möchte: Mit dem Kissen im Rücken auf's Sofa, anschnallen, und mit beiden Händen das Buch fest umschlingen!

Jonathan ist keine gewöhnliche Möwe. Er nimmt einfach nichts für selbstverständlich hin, es genügt ihm nicht, wie alle Anderen seine fliegerischen Fähigkeiten nur zum Fischen einzusetzen. Jonathan ist verliebt ins Fliegen und in die Freiheit. Er ist besessen von dem Willen, das Beste aus sich herauszuholen, und Nichts und Niemand kann ihn aufhalten. Er ist neugierig, will alles erfahren, alles versuchen, alles verstehen -- selbst wenn es bedeutet, aus dem Kreise seiner Gemeinschaft und seiner Familie verbannt zu werden. In seiner Bescheidenheit, seiner Einfachheit und seiner Tiefe ist Jonathan dem kleinen Prinzen nicht unähnlich, obwohl seine Botschaft nicht ganz so global, nicht ganz so welterschütternd ist. Auch an Hesses Siddartha habe ich mich ein wenig erinnert gefühlt. Jonathan ist ein Aufruf zur Initiative, eine Botschaft an Alle, die ihre Träume und Sehnsüchte noch nicht völlig in die Hand der Hamburg-Mannheimer gelegt haben. Selbstverwirklichung, der Mut dazu, dem Herzen zu folgen und einfach das zu tun, was wirklich befriedigt. Wer Jonathan liest, wird es entweder lieben oder hassen. Aber Millionenauflagen, und die Tatsache, daß viele Leser dieses Buches nach weiteren Werken von Richard Bach verlangen, ist ein Beweis dafür, daß Jonathan in vielen von uns steckt. Sehr empfehlenswert für Alle, die gerne fliegen, sei es im Herzen, im Kopf, oder in der Wirklichkeit. --Thomas Kaminski

Genres: Fiction, Classics, Philosophy, Fantasy, Spirituality, Self Help, Inspirational

79 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1970

About the author

Since Jonathan Livingston Seagull - which dominated the #1 spot on the New York Times Bestseller List for two consecutive years - Richard Bach has touched millions of people through his humor, wisdom and insight.

With over 60 million copies of his books sold, Richard Bach remains one of the world's most beloved authors. A former USAF fighter pilot, Air Force captain and latter-day barnstorming pilot, Bach continues to be an avid aviator-author, exploring and chronicling the joys and freedom of flying, reporting his findings to readers.

His most recent works include Travels with Puff, which recounts Bach's journey from Florida to Washington state in his small seaplane, Puff, and Illusions II: The Adventures of a Reluctant Student, which incorporates Bach's real-life plane crash.

In October 2014, the never-before-published Part Four to Jonathan Livingston Seagull was published.

Readers can find more about Richard and his work at www.richardbach.com

Reviews

[Jonathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basically, you've got a seagull who just can't fit in with other seagulls. If this was written within the last decade, Jonathan would be coping with his outcast status by wearing a black trench coat and rolling 20-sided dice for fun. He would also achieve a loyal following of other socially awkward birds by totally kicking ass in Guitar Hero.

Sadly, this was written in the halcyon days of the 70's, so Jonathan goes on a soul searching quest and learns how to fly better than any other seagull. Gradually, other seagulls join him and become awesome too.

No, I'm not describing a children's picture book. I'm talking about a book that bookstores actually shelve in the "literature" section. I honestly think that there are more photographs of seagulls in this book than there are paragraphs. Anyway, some people call this book "inspirational", or "motivating." I'm guessing that these are the same people who consider accidentally getting two extra cheesesticks for free in their Papa John's order "a miraculous affirmation of a higher power."

The only reason I gave this book two stars instead of one is that I was named after it. Honestly, who wants to be named after a shitty book? Think of the entire pantheon of literature. I could have been named Atticus Finch, or Heathcliff Earnshaw, or Beowulf. Instead I get Jonathan Livingston. Thanks a lot, Mom and Dad. No, really, you guys just sit back and relax, I'll roll this next doobie for you.

[Benjamin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't read this. Go look at a seagull and think about life on your own if you must. What you come up with will be better than this.

[Federico DN · Rating 4 out of 5]

An immeasurable love for flight, and a passion that knows, literally, no bounds.

In this story we lean the story of "Jonathan Livingston Seagull", an odd little sea bird. Unlike most of his kind, Jonathan Livingston does not seek food or shelter; Jonathan loves flying, Jonathan lives flying. And as most novices do, he starts with what every beginner is bound to do, fail. And fail spectacularly! But practice makes the master, and Jonathan Livingston is on a life quest to reach the impossible, and something unimaginably greater than just master.

An inspiring little novella about bettering yourself, following your passion, and pursuing your dreams, without limits. A truly remarkable read. Highly recommendable.

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PERSONAL NOTE :
[1970] [112p] [Classics] [Highly Recommendable]
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★★★★☆ Jonathan Livingston Seagull
★★★☆☆ There's No Such Place As Far Away [2.5]
★★★☆☆ Out of My Mind: The Discovery of Saunders-Vixen [2.5]

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Un inmensurable amor por el vuelo, y una pasión que, literalmente, no conoce límites.

En esta novela conocemos la historia de "Juan Salvador Gaviota", una rara y pequeña ave marina. A diferencia de otros de su especie, Juan Salvador no busca comida o refugio; Juan ama volar, Juan vive volar. Y como casi todos los novatos hacen, empieza con lo que todo princincipiante está destinado a hacer, fallar. Y fallar espectacularmente! Pero la práctica hace al maestro, y Juan Salvador está en una misión de vida para alcanzar lo imposible, y algo inimaginablemente más lejos que ser sólo maestro.

Una inspiradora pequeña novella sobre mejorarse uno mismo, seguir tu pasión, y perseguir tus sueños, sin conocer límites. Una lectura realmente destacable. Altamente recomendable.

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NOTA PERSONAL :
[1970] [112p] [Clásicos] [Altamente Recomendable]
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[Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ · Rating 2 out of 5]

You know, sometimes you should just leave fond childhood memories alone.



But I have a hard time resisting any kind of challenge, at least if it relates to reading, so when Karly criticized my 3-star rating of this book (see the thread to this review for her very funny and halfhearted trolling efforts), I felt compelled to go dig out my old copy of Jonathan Livingston Seagull - and it did take some digging - to see if I could justify my rating.

Unfortunately, I couldn't.



This flimsy and fluffy little book was a massive bestseller in 1972 and 1973. It's a VERY unsubtle parable about a seagull who decides that the mundane life of squawking and fighting for food is not for him. He wants to learn how to really fly.



The other seagulls are not impressed with his stunts and aerial acrobatics.



But Jonathan Seagull is brave enough to defy the Flock and continue his search for perfection.

It's all very inspiring and affirming and I can see why a lot of people still love it. There's actually a JLS website where people share their "seagull stories" of how they learned to overcome their doubts and fears and truly live, and they all tell each other how great they are. Fly free, beautiful white birds! And that's all fine, as long as you're not hurting innocent people, or neglecting those who need you, in your search to Find Yourself.

But this book, as a piece of literature, has problems on so many levels: The heavy-handed symbolism. The simplistic worldview (spend all your time learning how to fly perfectly and all other problems will magically take care of themselves!).

And the book tries to be all things to all people. Overcoming obstacles and achieving through your own determination and effort? Yup. Reincarnation? Got it. Christian symbolism? Covered. New Age mysticism? Don't get me started.

2 stars, because even if it's on the simplistic and cheesy side, I still find a little inspiration and humor in the pages of this novella.
_________

Initial post: Karly tells me I'm way off base with my 3 stars here, which is based on my teenage reading of this book many, many moons ago. So I'm going to re-read this book (assuming I can find the dusty old copy that is hiding somewhere in my basement) and either agree with her or defend my position.

It is on! *cracks knuckles*

[Adina · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5*

I was recommended this book by a friend. As I had no intention to buy this in case it proved to be dreadful I decided to finally get a library subscription. I’ve been wanting to go to the library for a long time as I am hoping this way I will buy less books. That might not work out as intended but a girl can hope.

I am not a fan of inspirational fables. Call me cynical but I do not believe a nice little motivational story can change your life. It can provide an extra nudge to change if you are already on that path. Also, most of them are also ridiculously stupid, The Monk who Sold his Ferrari comes to my mind right away to prove this idea. Having said that, I thought Jonathan Livingston Seagull to be cute and some of the ideas even touched me.

Jonathan Livingston is not your usual seagull who flies only for feeding purposes. No, he loves to fly and constantly challenges himself to improve his control, speed and form. Unfortunately, his flock disagrees with his revolutionary approach to flying and he is excommunicated. He soon finds other seagulls that share the same passion and strive for greatness. He follows them to another world, some sort of paradise, where Seagulls can be their true self. After a while, Jonathan returns to the flock in order to teach others to fly as he does and follow their dreams.

The story encourages people to find what they love, follow and cultivate their talent and decide for themselves in life. The book also teaches us to be tolerant, seek the good in other people and love them for those qualities.

The author obviously loves flying (he was a pilot) and you can see that in every page. His description of flying was the best part of the story for me.

[Fabian · Rating 1 out of 5]

This one belongs to the prestigious & almost elusive group of "Huge Imposters That Became Famous by People Who Suddenly Decided to Read a Novel." The book with its cute aura of a birdshape on its cover, was a mega-hit for no other reason than everyone read it. Basically, its a huge ripoff of the Judeo-Christian messiah story, with little birds that never fully become characters, grounded (ha ha) or are even particularly memorable. Is it bad to just want a mean hunter come along & shoot them all down? Is this bad?

I just cannot fathom the language of this; the super-precise scientific descriptions of speed, and worse, why are the birds so Anglo-Saxonly named? It is baffling as to why it even got published in the first place. Clue number one that this was gonna suck: it's subtitle, "A Story." Not, you know, a novel. Like a sketch. The photographer probably took longer taking the pictures of the grainy sky than this writer did concocting such wannabe New Agey mierda.

Reminds me so much of "The Celestine Prophecy" in it's lameness level, I could just scream.

This reads like some reject for some lesser-read college Literary Anthology... But shitier.

[anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

ok, like I just wrote in a comment . . . this is probably one of those books that you have to read at a particular moment in your life.

for me I was 15, had just run away from home and was in utter despair that the entire world was as mean, strict and narrow-minded as my peers seemed to be at that time. I longed for a friend, I longed for a sense of the world being more than what was drowning me.

the friend who put this book in my hands also gave me Blind Melon's first album - and together these two items may have literally saved my life.

Bach's writing is simplistic, yes. it is almost childlike, yes. But there is for me an enduring wisdom to it. the seagull is obviously a very simplistic metaphor for a human, but in reality, particularly from where I was at the time, the idea of the "flock" just doing as it was told and spending all its time eating, shitting and talking about other gulls was not far off from my experience.

as that 15 year old wandering soul, I connected - not with the gull - but with the sense that there had to be more to life and that the pursuit of perfection was not in vain. this book was like a child's story that assured me that my sense of things was not off-base. and I'm not kidding when I say that I felt that Jonathan Livingston Seagull was my first friend.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Most gulls don't bother to learn more than the simplest facts of flight--how to get from shore to food and back again," writes author Richard Bach in this allegory about a unique bird named Jonathan Livingston Seagull. "For most gulls it is not flying that matters, but eating. For this gull, though, it was not eating that mattered, but flight."

Flight is indeed the metaphor that makes the story soar. Ultimately this is a fable about the importance of seeking a higher purpose in life, even if your flock, tribe, or neighborhood finds your ambition threatening. (At one point our beloved gull is even banished from his flock.) By not compromising his higher vision, Jonathan gets the ultimate payoff: transcendence. Ultimately, he learns the meaning of love and kindness.

I read this book when I was a teenager, it set the stage for a life of searching for a higher purpose and today, almost 40 years later, my life is heaven on earth.

In Abraham Lincoln's words...

"All my life I have tried to pluck a thistle and plant a flower wherever the flower would grow in thought and mind." Abraham Lincoln

And M. Scott Peck's words...

"Abandon the urge to simplify everything, to look for formulas and easy answers, and to begin to think multidimensionally, to glory in the mystery and paradoxes of life, not to be dismayed by the multitude of causes and consequences that are inherent in each experience -- to appreciate the fact that life is complex." M. Scott Peck

[Agir(آگِر) · Rating 3 out of 5]

چرا دشوارترین کار در جهان این است که پرنده ای را متقاعد کنی،آزاد است؟

این کتاب اول از شناخت خویشتن و مطابق آن زندگی کردن و نه بخاطر نان زندگی کردن می گوید


اغلب مرغان رنج آموختن پرواز را در حدی فراتر از یادگیری ساده ترین حقایق به خود هموار نمی کنند
می اموزند که چگونه از ساحل به سوی غذا پرواز کنند و چگونه بازگردند
برای بسیاری از مرغان تنها خوردن غذا مهم است و پرواز اهمیتی ندارد

در ادامه ریچارد باخ یه جورایی میخاد بگه که انسان توانایی انجام هرکاری رو داره،اگه بتواند عدم محدودیتش را باور کند

آنچه که دیدگانت به تو می گویند باور نکن.همه ی آنچه که می توانی ببینی محدود است. با ادراک خود بنگر

گفته های کتاب بعضی هاشون اساس علمی و بعضی ریشه در ادیان کهن دارند

شناخت خویش و پرورش استعدادها و سعی در بهتر کردن جهان اطراف خویش،ریشه در آموزه های دینی ودا و ... دارد

غیب شدن جاناتان برگرفته از نظریه استفاده از بعد زمان می باشد
اگه بتونیم این بعد را درک کنیم میتوانیم در یک ثانیه از غرب به شرق برویم
یعنی همان غیب شدن

این سوال برام پیش آمد
اگر چیزهای که در مورد بعضی عارفان گفته اند که در یک لحظه از شرق به غرب می رفتند راست باشد ،آیا آنها بعد زمان را شناخته اند؟

از شجاعت جاناتان خوشم اومد؛آزمودن چندین باره پرواز سریع و اینکه در برابر بزرگان قرار گرفت چون به عقیده اش ایمان داشت

[Henry Avila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ode to the Paper Book: Holding a paper book in yours hands, smelling it feeling the pages as you flip them.Touching the cover, looking back as you pass the bookshelf at an old friend.No, a computer can never replace that! A machine, cold , impersonal,dead. As long as there are people in this crazy world of ours , the paper book shall survive.-Jonathan Livingston Seagull is a different kind of bird. He would rather fly as high as possible than catch a fish.Recklessly diving for fun, he cheats death many times .Of course Jonathan is an outcast who the others shun.Taught by an elder seagull about spiritualism (bird style) J.L.S. reaches gull heaven soon after (no he doesn't die). The seagulls big activity in paradise is to sit on a cliff contemplating their navels, I know they haven't any, or wings or something like that (might sound a little strange to humans?). Bored, he begins teaching others. His followers begin calling Jonathan , Son of the Great Gull, who else? Will he return to his flock back on Earth?And spread, not his wings but the word?...A product of its time.

[فؤاد · Rating 2 out of 5]

داستان نبود، بیشتر میشد گفت "حکایت" بود، مشابه حکایت های سهروردی خودمون، با درونمایه ی عرفانی. البته عرفان این کتاب، عرفان انسانی بود بیشتر تا عرفان الهی. اما سیر مراحل شناخت، خیلی شبیه مشابه های وطنی بود (سیر من الخلق الی الحق، سیر فی الحق، سیر من الحق الی الخلق، سیر مع الخلق الی الحق.)
مضامین کمابیش تکراری بود، داستان پردازی ضعیف بود، شخصیت ها به خاطر "حکایت" بودن، پرداخت نداشتن. نتیجه ش میشه دو ستاره.

[Ruth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Puerile platitudes posing as wisdom.

[بثينة العيسى · Rating 5 out of 5]

من خلال حكاية نورس واحد يحبُّ الطيران "جديًا" استطاع ريتشارد باخ أن يرينا تاريخ الأديان في دورته ذات المراحل الأربعة. منذ نبذ الأنبياء وطردهم وحتى تقديسهم والتبرّك بقبورهم. شيءٌ واحد فاتنا، في هذه الرحلة؛ أن نتعلم منهم الطيران. وكيف نكون ذواتًا حقة. وأن القانون الوحيد هو القانون الذي يدفع بك باتجاه حريّتك، وبداهات أخرى نسيناها.

يرسم باخ مستويات متعددة للوجود، ومستويات متعددة للفهم. من خلال النورس جوناثان نرى نظرة البشرية لله، وللأنبياء والقديسين، وللسياق التاريخي الذي تتشكل فيه أي حركة إصلاحية (نسميها دينًا)، وكيفية تشكل فريق من الحواريين/الصحابة المؤمنين بالرسالة، ثم السقوط المؤسف في مرحلة تحريف الرسالة، وتفتيت الحقيقة في طقوس مادية، ونشأة الفقه والكهنوت والمؤسسات الدينية الرسمية.

إن تقديس الأشخاص في الغالب يكون أكبر عائق أمام التعلّم منهم.
حتى لو كان ذلك الشخص هو النورس جوناثان بعينه.

رواية ذكية جدًا.

[Nataliya · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is that special magic in the books you loved as a kid. The wide-eyed innocence and all that stuff does give even the least subtle stories that unforgettable magical sheen.

I was probably around eleven or so, still in the warm fuzzies of childhood, still far away from snarky and exasperated teenage know-it-all cynicism when I came across this slender little book in the depths of out school library. It was in English - the language that I was just learning at that time, and looked more accessible than my prior attempt at an English language story (Sister Carrie, if you’re curious, a terrible book choice for a barely English speaking preteen).

I inhaled this story over the course of a single afternoon, even with never-ending dictionary searches. It was wonderful, beautiful, splendid in its entirely not subtle “pursue your dreams no matter what” message. It was dedicated “To the real Jonathan Seagull, who lives within us all”, and I was floored and preteen mind was blown.

Yes, my little impressionable heart agreed, yes - I WILL pursue my dreams and will never settle, and I will keep persevering until I reach new heights.

“Do you have any idea how many lives we must have gone through before we even got the first idea that there is more to life than eating, or fighting, or power in the Flock? A thousand lives, Jon, ten thousand! And then another hundred lives until we began to learn that there is such a thing as perfection, and another hundred again to get the idea that our purpose for living is to find that perfection and show it forth. The same rule holds for us now, of course: we choose our next world through what we learn in this one. Learn nothing, and the next world is the same as this one, all the same limitations and lead weights to overcome.”

Since then, I haven’t revisited this story, but would occasionally remember it, usually when on the beach and seeing seagulls scramble for food. Those are not Jonathan Livingston Seagull, I’d think; they probably have not yet discovered that perfect joy of striving for more than just the basics.

And then Tadiana’s review came along, and after getting through the initial shock of “wow, how is this book not five stars for everyone????!!!!” I decided to revisit it — even though I knew that there’s no way to recapture the magic of childhood. I told myself I wouldn’t, I knew I shouldn’t — but what do I usually do when I know I shouldn’t do something? Right. Obviously, I reread it.

As Terry Pratchett aptly wrote: "If you put a large switch in a cave somewhere, with a sign on it saying, 'End-of-the-World Switch. PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH' the paint wouldn't even have time to dry."

That often tends to sum up my life choices.

It’s such a short story when the illustrations are ignored. And it’s so blatantly unsubtle and cheesy and heavy-handed and in-your-face with the message. And I was annoyed and disappointed, sure.

But then I remembered what it felt like to be eleven and inspired by Seagull Jon and my inner grumpy cynicism let go a little, and some of that warmth crept back into my shriveled Grinchy heart.

Because yeah, this is the book for the preteens who need to be inspired, and childhood is where it belongs, and it’s not its fault that I chose to dredge it out now when I’m completely unsuitable for its wide-eyed magic. And so I’m meeting my young self and my now-self in the middle, settling on the 3 stars.

Also, sometimes when you fly face-first into a cliff face at crazy speeds, you may not always ascend to a higher metaphysical plane but end up as a tiny smear on that cliff face.

But I’m still going to sneak it into the reading pile for any suitable kid. Because it’s still awesome when you are eleven.

3 grumpy stars now (but full 5 stars from my eleven-year-old self).

[Luís · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just as one can read books too early, there are certain books one reads too late. And no doubt, Jonathan Livingston the Gull is one of them: if I feel vague that I would have appreciated this book at the beginning of adolescence, his adventures today leave me unmoved.
I have a little more trouble with the second, especially if the first part speaks to me a lot. As long as Jonathan fights against the mediocrity of his surroundings to live his dreams, I quickly get the message. However, the second part, with luminous birds that defy all the laws of physics and try to bring the good word to the rest of the world, leaves me a little more skeptical.

[Cecily · Rating 2 out of 5]

This reminds me of Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist (the only one of his I've read). It's self-consciously "beautiful" and spiritual, but doesn't really have much depth. I enjoyed it in my late teens, when I had delusions of profundity, but I don't think it has much to impart to adults.

It has 2* for nostalgia. If I read it now, I expect I'd only give it 1*.

[Fatima · Rating 5 out of 5]

شیفته ی این کتاب شدم , خیلی ساده و کوتاه با داستانی شیرین و نمادین شاید حرف هایی رو زد که قرن ها پیش پیامبران سعی میکردند به مردم دو��ه ی خودشون یاد بدن , نماد زیبایی از تمام وجود های اوج گرفته و سیراب نشده اما رشد کرده ای بود که همچنان هم در حال رشدند و به دور از محدودیت هایی که جامعه هاشون براشون در نظر میگیره , پرواز میکنن و پرواز رو هم به عشاقش یاد میدن , بدون هیچ ادعایی بدون پذیرش اینکه چیزی و یا قدرتی شبیه به خدا دارند ...همه ی وجود ها فراتر از جسمند اما درگیر این جسم هستند و فقط تحمل دیدن تا نوک بینی دنیای خودشون یا شبیه پرندگان دنیای جاناتان , نوک بال هاشون رو دارند , کاش همگی پرواز رو یاد بگیریم و بعدش به مشتاقانش هم یاد بدیم ... کاش کمی مثل جاناتان بی باک و کنجکاو و با انگیزه و پر شور و نشاط�� و به دور از خواسته های دنیایی و سرگرم کننده اش بودیم ....

[Jeff · Rating 1 out of 5]

When I was a lad, I had to endure my hippie science teacher's self-narrated slide show of the entire book. It beat listening to a lecture about photosynthesis, but not by much.

[Swati Tanu · Rating 3 out of 5]

"We can lift ourselves out of ignorance, we can find ourselves as creatures of excellence and intelligence and skill."
 
What happens when you start to live as your true self?  There is certainly some fear in starting to become the person you were born to be.  If you’ve spent your life trying to do what is expected of you, your stepping out of that role may cause some consternation on the part of the people around you.  For those readers developing the practice of listening to a voice other than those that clamour around them, Jonathan Livingston Seagull  is a welcome companion.

The story is told in a symbolic manner. You'll feel a connection with Jonathan Seagull as soon as you start reading it. It's a young Seagull who's fed up with the monotony of existence. It is continually yearning for a higher plane of existence. Other seagulls, however, who are used to the food-shelter-life approach, are insulted by Jonathan's ideas.

Fun Fact:  
It was not written as one complete novel initially; Richard Bach wrote it as a series of short stories which was published in a magazine called “Flying” in the latter half of the 1960s. Then, the series of short stories was compiled by Richard Bach and was first released as a book in 1970. It reached the top of the New York Times “Best Seller List” for thirty-eight straight weeks. The book was illustrated by Russell Munson.

You might like to wander through a few artistic journals — they’re full of sparks and surprises.

[Nat K · Rating 3 out of 5]

”It was morning, and the new sun sparkled gold across ripples of a gentle sea.”

Isn’t this the most beautiful opening line for a book?

This is an inspiring little story, about a seagull who didn’t simply want to fly to survive, but wanted to fly to feel alive.

”More than anything else, Jonathan Livingston Seagull loved to fly”

Which makes me think about the whole idea of joy and happiness. What makes you happy. What fires your passion. Brings a smile to your face. Gives you a feeling of contentment.

Sure, life comes with responsibility in a myriad of forms. Needs to be met. Bills to be paid. And it’s so easy to lose sight of ourselves. To get worn down by the daily grind. But none of these worries are what makes you “you”.

Jonathan Livingston Seagull never gave up. He had a dream. He was determined. He wanted to fly for the simple joy of doing so. To soar as high as he could. He failed often. He went against the flock. But he kept going. It was hard, but it was worth it.

”We can be free! We can learn to fly.”

Yes, I admit I’m a bit of a sucker for seagulls. I’m lucky enough to live near the beach, and I love watching them. Their line and form. Their ability to soar. Their freedom.

The style of writing and the way the message is put together is a tiny bit dated. A bit hippy trippy. But that’s ok. It was written in 1970 after all, and definitely reflects the mood of the time. But it still retains its inspirational theme. The message still rings true. To be your own person (or seagull!). And to support and encourage others to be the best version of themselves. To believe. To see what others can see.

The photos are a perfect match for the text, and make this a wonderfully calming book to read and ponder over.

TEXT: Richard Bach
PHOTOS: Russell Munson

”The gull sees furthest who flies highest.”

A nice opener for a bit of inspiration this early in the New Year. 3.5★ squawking stars.

*** Follow your bliss ***

[Mohsin Maqbool · Rating 5 out of 5]

image:

I WAS gifted Richard Bach’s Jonathan Livingston Seagull by my elder brother when he visited Karachi from Frankfurt for his vacation in 1973. However, I did not read the book until 1987. To be honest with you, I did not think much of it at the time and gave it away to a friend.
Learning more about birds with the passage of time, I wanted to read the book again. I regretted giving it away. Luckily another friend of mine had a copy. He lent it to me for just one night in 2005, saying that it actually belonged to his son who hadn’t read it yet. I finished the book in a few hours. I liked it much better this time and even wrote a review for my friend to read.
Yesterday I re-read the book on pdf so that I could review it for goodreads. And I must admit that this time I actually found the book to be amazing. Maybe with age I have become more mature as I was able to grasp many things which I could not when I first read it during the '80s or even a decade back.
The book is extremely inspirational. Besides, it has a story to tell – an interesting one – that keeps you glued right to the very end. Mr Bach used to be a fighter pilot and a writer for magazines like Avian which is why talking about the flight of seagulls comes naturally to him.
Jonathan Livingston Seagull was more interested in flying than eating fish or bread crumbs for survival. He wants to fly as high as possible and at speeds deemed impossible. He kept challenging himself to break each previous record.

image:
A seagull in sunny spotlight.

The Elder of the Flock does not like Richard breaking rules and regulations. He wants him to stick to normal flying. “Jonathan nodded obediently. For the next few days he tried to behave like the other gulls; he really tried, screeching and fighting with the flock around the piers and fishing boats, diving on scraps of fish and bread. But he couldn’t make it work. It’s all so pointless, he thought, deliberately dropping a hard-won anchovy to a hungry old gull chasing him. I could be spending all this time learning to fly. There’s so much to learn!”
He flies during the night. He is considered an Outcast and kicked out of the Flock.
“It wasn’t long before Jonathan Gull was off by himself again, far out at sea, hungry, happy, learning. The subject was speed, and in a week’s practice he learned more about speed than the fastest gull alive.”
Although Mr Bach is writing all about seagulls and flight, he uses simple English which even a layman reader would be able to understand. Having said that, it is creative writing at its best. Alliteration too is used in several places.
“He learned more each day. He learned that a streamlined high-speed dive could bring him to find the rare and tasty fish that schooled ten feet below the surface of the ocean: he no longer needed fishing boats and stale bread for survival. He learned to sleep in the air, setting a course at night across the offshore wind, covering a hundred miles from sunset to sunrise. With the same inner control, he flew through heavy sea fogs and climbed above them into dazzling clear skies ... in the very times when every other gull stood on the ground, knowing nothing but mist and rain. He learned to ride the high winds far inland, to dine there on delicate insects.”

image:
A seagull flies over cliffs.

The book teaches us to be kind and loving and tolerant through Jonathan who during a later stage of his life becomes an instructor for seagulls who want to become achievers by being at their innovative best where flying is concerned.
The tome is philosophical in some places like in the following paragraphs:
“I don’t understand how you manage to love a mob of birds that has just tried to kill you.” “Oh, Fletch, you don’t love that! You don’t love hatred and evil, of course. You have to practise and see the real gull, the good in every one of them, and to help them see it in themselves. That’s what I mean by love. It’s fun, when you get the knack of it.”
“We choose our next world through what we learn in this one. Learn nothing, and the next world is the same as this one, all the same limitations and lead weights to overcome.”
The next world can also be understood as the next stage in our life when we proceed to college from school or to university from college or even to a career when we are through with our education.
The book deals with a bit of fantasy too. But if I describe it, it would be akin to spoiling the fun for you.
The inspirational fable contains eight black and white photographs of seagulls in flight which have been magnificently captured by Russell Munson.
I highly recommend the book to everybody who likes reading good and meaningful literature and also to those who love our fine-feathered friends.
Director Hall Bartlett adapted the novella into a film in 1973. Whereas the book was a bestseller, the film was poorly received by critics and was a box-office failure. However, it was nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Cinematography and Best Editing. Neil Diamond wrote and recorded an album for the film's soundtrack which was a critical and commercial success, earning Diamond a Grammy Award and a Golden Globe Award.
Another plus point for the film is that it is recognised by American Film Institute in the following list:
2006: AFI's 100 Years...100 Cheers – Nominated

image:
Film poster of Jonathan Livingston Seagull.
image:
The camera catches Neil Diamond along with the high-flying Jonathan Livingston Seagull for the album's cover.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't even know what to say about this book. One of my favorite books ever. It's very short and extremely easy to read. Great for children, even better for adults. JLS is my hero, pretty much.

My copy of this book no longer resembles a book so much as a stack of papers.

[Dream.M · Rating 3 out of 5]

همون داستان همیشگی که میگه رویاهاتو دنبال کن...

[J.G. Keely · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a response to the flawed and disappointing underbelly of humanity, revealed for author Bach in Vietnam, the Kennedy assassination, the battles for Civil Rights and Feminism, and the Sexual Revolution. Unfortunately, it is not a work which embraces or explores those changes, but seeks an escape from the difficult questions of the world.

Perhaps it should be unsurprising that the author would want to escape the everyday anxieties which mark the changing world. There is a sort of blind optimism in Jonathan Livingston Seagull, the sort you get when you take ancient and complex philosophy and distill it down into meaningless fluff. It is from this feel-good denial that the whole New Age movement springs, giving hope without guidance, and adding self-help to our self loathing.

The surface of the water seems calm and glassy from afar. The ripples almost insensible. It is tempting to hope that the whirling eddies of hate, the tumult of inequality, and the maelstroms of fear do not persist beneath it. We shall someday find, when we must navigate Scylla and Charybdis, whether we have melted down our statues and our cannons both to build a monument to the lost.

[Sonia Gomes · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am so glad, I got to know how other people feel about Jonathan Livingstone Seagull.

All these years I was under the impression that some great philosophy and inner meaning had flown past my head, and that I was one of the very few who had missed it all.

Seems I was right, there is no great philosophy. Phew ! I am not a dumb idiot after all.

[مجیدی‌ام · Rating 5 out of 5]

بعد از چندین کتاب سنگین، این کتاب واقعا مثل یک لیوان نویشیدنی خنک به آدم می چسبه...

داستان یک مرغ دریایی که اعتقاد داره پرواز پرنده ها باید جز برای پیدا کردن غذا اهداف والا تری داشته باشه و هر پرنده باید در پرواز و شناخت ماهیت اصلی خودش به کمال برسه... جاناتان معتقده که پرواز برای لمس آسمونه و می تونه به کمال برسونه...
به همین دلیل جاناتان از سایر پرنده ها رانده می شه و به تنهایی سفری برای شناخت روح خودش و تحقق اهدافش آغاز می کنه...

کتاب بسیار روان، کم حجم، گیرا، دوست داشتنی، آموزنده و عمیق هست...
وقتی از آدم نمی گیره، توصیه می کنم بخونید...

[Masoud Irannejad · Rating 4 out of 5]

چند سال پیش بود که کتاب جاناتان رو خوندم ماجرای مرغ دریایی که با بقیه فرق داره ، پرنده ای که بر خلاف بقیه مرغا از پرواز لذت میبره و می خواد بهتر پرواز کردن رو یاد بگیره
کتاب جالبی بود نه خوشم اومده بود و نه ازش بدم اومده بود دیروز که تو انقلاب پرسه میزدم متوجه چاپ نسخه جدید کتاب شدم، نسخه ای که یک فصل بهش اضافه شده
تو مقدمه کتاب ریچارد باخ گفته فصل چهارم همون موقع نوشته شده ولی بعد از اینکه بارها و بارها اون فصل رو مطالعه میکنه تصمیم به حذف کردن اون میگیره و کتاب رو سه فصلی عرضه میکنه ، فصل چهارم کنار گذاشته میشه و با گذشت زمان به فراموشی سپرده میشه

بعد از گذشت حدود نیم قرن سابرینا،زنم،نوشته هارو پیدا کرد کهنه ، بی رنگ و له شده زیر برگه های باطله."
اینا رو یادته؟-
گفتم :چی رو ؟ نه
چند پاراگراف آن را خواندم.
آهان یادم اومد اینا...
گفت بخونش
لبخندی به نوشته های قدیمی زد که پیداشان کرده بود،نوشته ها سبرینا را تحت تاثیر قرار داده بود
حروف ماشین تحریر رنگ باخته شده بود . زبان اش به زبان من می مانست،البته زبان گذشته های من،آن چه در گذشته بودم. نوشته ی من نبود،نوشته جوان متعلق به آن دوران بود
...
سرانجام بخش چهارم همان جایی چاپ شد که قرار بود،شاید حرفی هم نداشته باشد،این بخش زمانی نوشته شده که هیچ کس از آینه خبر نداشت و حالا ما خبرداریم"

[Rinda Elwakil · Rating 2 out of 5]

لا تتبع القطيع، و إن أفتاك الناس و أفتوك

[Mahsa Tahmasebi · Rating 5 out of 5]

اول چندتا جمله از کتاب رو مینویسم.

برای اغلب مرغان دریایی پرواز اهمیت ندارد، خوردن مهم است.اما برای این یکی خوردن اهمیتی نداشت، پرواز مهم بودجاناتان بیش از هرکار دیگری ، عاشق پرواز بود.اوفهمیده بود این طرز فکر باعث محبوبیت نزد مرغان دیگر نیست.

اکنون زندگی مفهومی به جز تقلای یکنواخت درپشت وجلوی قایق ها خواهد داشت. ما میتوانیم خود را از جهل بیرون بکشیم، میتوانیم خودراموجوداتی دارای فضیلت، هوشمندی و مهارت بدانیم. می توانیم آزاد باشیم! می توانیم پرواز یادبگیریم.

"خب از اینجا به بعد چه میشود؟ ماکجامیرویم؟ آیااصلا بهشتی وجود دارد؟"
"نه جاناتان. چنین جایی وجود ندارد. بهشت یک مکان نیست، زمان هم نیست. بهشت کامل بودن است"

او از چیزهای بسیار ساده حرف می زد.اینکه هرمرغ دریایی حق دارد پرواز کند.اینکه آزادی در فطرت و موجودیت اوست، اینکه هرجیزی مانع این آزادی باشد، بایدکنارگذاشته شود، خواه آیین باشد، یاخرافه، یامحدودیت به هرشکل.

کاش میتونستم کمتر از کتاب کپی کنم ولی واقعا نتونستم.

این کتاب صفحاتش بسیار کمه، حتا از 100 تایی که نوشته، چون در قطع جیبی هستش، البته من ترجمه زهره زاهدی را خوندم، ولی در هرصورت برای تو اتوبوس مترو و مسیرهای کم عالیه.
خیلی باش ارتباط برقرار کردم، چون ترس های زیادی مانع ازخودم بودن میشه. مطمینا هرکسی به یه نحوی باش ارتباط برقرار میکنه چه در سطح فردی چه اجتماعی
یه جورایی هم یاد "ماهی سیاه کوچولو افتادم".
تمام خط های کتاب محدودیت ها و سنت ها و خرافه را به چالش کشیده واطمینان به خود و توانایی در انجام کارها را هم یاد آوری کرده است.

[Eghbal · Rating 1 out of 5]

سر آشپز ریچارد باخ

مواد سازنده جاناتان رودی کولمن دریایی :
الهام از پائولو کوئلیو -
الهام از جورج اورول در استفاده از حیوانات -
الهام از سید حسین عباسمنش -
الهام از آیت الله دستغیب کاشانی -
الهام از اسکاول شین-

یه ترکیبی پُر رو که با خوندنش ، تنها نکته مثبت کتاب برام این بود که به لطف پروردگار حجم کمی داره و زود تموم میشه .
در اوایل کتاب تصورم از مرغ دریایی یک دونده کِنیایی بود
در اواسط کتاب تصور به یک دونده کنیایی در رویای بهشت تغییر یافت
و در آخر این تصور به سر گوتاما بودا روی بدن یک مرغ دریایی کنیایی به پایان رسید
شعار
شعار
شعار
بدون خلاقیت
بدون جذابیت
بدون همزاد پنداری
بدون همه چی
وسطشم که یهو زد جاده خاکی و رفت بهشتو . استاد شیفو بیرون اومد و اخرشم قابل پیش بینی .
ریچارد باخ جان منه باخ!!!
به قول یکی از دوستام
شما دیلینی ساخلاماق میکردی خیلی بهتر بود !!!