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Restless Mind : Quiet Thoughts : A Personal Journal
This is the story of Paul Eppinger's life from 16 to 29. Although gifted and sensitive, his life contained a great deal of pain, and the book ends with Paul's death by suicide.
- GenresNonfiction
195 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 11, 2020
Daniel Quinn refers to Restless Mind, Quiet Thoughts in the Ishmael trilogy. Even though the Ishmael books are the most influential books I have ever read, the part on Paul Eppinger I releted to the most. So I had to read his book.
If there was a single book in the world that each and every single person could completely relate to, Restless Mind Quiet Thoughts would be mine. I never highlight through books, but with this one, I needed to. Especially since I know this book will be with me for the rest of my life. I ended up highlighting a LOT of it. I have the same mindset as Paul. I am so grateful to Daniel Quinn's Ishmael trilogy for mentioning Paul and his story, or else I never would have found this book. I was curious as to what was bothering Paul 'from his past' that was subtly mentioned throughout the book. For me though, it wasn't all that important since just remembering my past in general every day is what bothers me. Dare I mention: I could be Paul Eppinger's soul reincarnated. We are just so similar on so many different levels it is somewhat frightening to read his story. I think that there are many people in the world that can relate to Paul's story. It's just hard for those of us to connect within this society. I don't even want to simplify Paul's thoughts here because to understand, you have to read his story first hand. I want to thank Charles Eppinger for having the strength to create a book from his son's life. It really helps, though I wish there were more answers for those of us in the same situation: not knowing what to do with our lives. But just knowing that I am not the only one with these ideas makes this book something I will hold on to for the rest of my life. It is necessary for every person in this world to read this book, if you can relate to Paul or not. I only wish that Paul's story didn't end in death, though I understand that he had done everything in his power to have a different outcome. In this superficial society, it was all he could do.
I needed to add: this book is NOT just about a man killing himself or even a man who is depressed. It's about a man that is depressed BECAUSE he doesn't feel that he has a niche in society. And in today's world, if you don't have a "niche" (ie: a 9 to 5 job and/or an enrollment in college) you are "worthless to society". A person can't do what they want, they only do what society tells them is right and acceptable to do. If a person does go against what is "acceptable", they just end up dead because they are alone and can't relate to the general population. That's my take on it. That was Paul's downfall: even though Paul had his father, he couldn't find anyone that shared his thoughts.
If there was a single book in the world that each and every single person could completely relate to, Restless Mind Quiet Thoughts would be mine. I never highlight through books, but with this one, I needed to. Especially since I know this book will be with me for the rest of my life. I ended up highlighting a LOT of it. I have the same mindset as Paul. I am so grateful to Daniel Quinn's Ishmael trilogy for mentioning Paul and his story, or else I never would have found this book. I was curious as to what was bothering Paul 'from his past' that was subtly mentioned throughout the book. For me though, it wasn't all that important since just remembering my past in general every day is what bothers me. Dare I mention: I could be Paul Eppinger's soul reincarnated. We are just so similar on so many different levels it is somewhat frightening to read his story. I think that there are many people in the world that can relate to Paul's story. It's just hard for those of us to connect within this society. I don't even want to simplify Paul's thoughts here because to understand, you have to read his story first hand. I want to thank Charles Eppinger for having the strength to create a book from his son's life. It really helps, though I wish there were more answers for those of us in the same situation: not knowing what to do with our lives. But just knowing that I am not the only one with these ideas makes this book something I will hold on to for the rest of my life. It is necessary for every person in this world to read this book, if you can relate to Paul or not. I only wish that Paul's story didn't end in death, though I understand that he had done everything in his power to have a different outcome. In this superficial society, it was all he could do.
I needed to add: this book is NOT just about a man killing himself or even a man who is depressed. It's about a man that is depressed BECAUSE he doesn't feel that he has a niche in society. And in today's world, if you don't have a "niche" (ie: a 9 to 5 job and/or an enrollment in college) you are "worthless to society". A person can't do what they want, they only do what society tells them is right and acceptable to do. If a person does go against what is "acceptable", they just end up dead because they are alone and can't relate to the general population. That's my take on it. That was Paul's downfall: even though Paul had his father, he couldn't find anyone that shared his thoughts.
August 28, 2022
How anyone could be interested in this drivel is beyond me. Synopsis: a privileged, entitled young man imagines he has real problems and complains about them at length, while sparing no thought for anyone else and contributing nothing to the world.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews