Zen explorations in remotest New Guinea: Adventures in the jungles and mountains of Irian Jaya

by Neville Shulman

Book by Shulman, Neville

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

159 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Krista · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was self-published, and it shows. There's a complete lack of editorial oversight. Even if you can ignore the author's many grammatical errors and odd, stilted use of the English language (even though it is his native tongue), it's tough to slog through this 150-page narrative that was probably lifted directly from his journal. For example, there are walls of tedious text detailing the minutia of making flight arrangements. (In fact, the book is entirely walls of text, there is no dialogue.) Shulman seems both self-absorbed and irresponsible. He joins a mountaineering trip completely unprepared -- no gear, no experience. He gets lost in the jungle (because he wants to go off on his own for some spiritual Zen reasons) and injured several times. I felt bad for the other climbers and the team he was with, for having to put up with this useless twit who doesn't seem to ever apologize for being completely selfish and unprepared. Throughout this book there's no self-awareness of the trouble he was putting himself in, and the burden he was placing on the other members of the climbing team. Plus, he gets facts wrong about the Dani tribe and Irian Jaya itself; it's clear he did very little research (the bibliography in the back of the book actually lists "The Jungle Book" and "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes". What.) Avoid this mess.

[Sohail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read several very negative reader reviews about this book (especially people condemning the author for being selfish), I was prepared for a bad book. However, it was not the case.

The author is not the best of writers, true. His writing style is lacking, and minute descriptions of booking a ticket or stuffing the pockets of a jacket (for the umpteenth time) are boring. But the descriptions of getting lost in the jungle, getting hurt, trekking treacherous paths? I liked them a lot.

Now, about the selfishness that some people mentioned. It was nonexistent. Perhaps he was overly optimistic, but definitely not selfish. I actually liked his positive attitude, and also his resilience and dedication that, in spite of a serious lack of experience and proper equipment, helped him conquer not one, but two mountain summits.

[Clivemichael · Rating 1 out of 5]

Admirable motive for a foray into the wilds, high expectations and many quotations to justify his behaviour. The self indulgent writing was at times tedious.

[Eda Ileri · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s like reading a very detailed personal journal that has been turned into a book just for “selfish reasons”. Which is fine of course, but I couldn’t finish it. It was boring and from reading some other reviews it’s not very educational nor self reflective which is very important when going on a spiritual journey. That’s my opinion anyway.
It was a very detailed account of what happened, but you still don’t know the purpose of why all the details were mentioned. And I agree with another review in which is said it has clearly not been looked at by an editor to make the story telling more interesting and to the point.
Look, sure, I’ve also always wanted to write a book and I haven’t managed it yet. So it’s “easier” to critisize someone who has had the guts to do it.
But not writing a book myself was also for the concern: who am I writing it for and what is the purpose? Is it for entertainment or perhaps scientific input or self reflection? And am I writing it for scientific crowds, daily passers bies, spiritual geeks or just for myself?