Looking for a book that will inspire you to lead a happier life? Read below.
“The voice faded, and Jonathan agreed. The place for a seagull at night is on the shore, and from this moment forth, he vowed, he would be a normal gull. It would make everyone happier.” Jonathan Livingstone is bored with his life. He just wants to fly faster and faster and members of his flock do not like the idea. As a result, they banish him.
Now an outcast, he meets two gulls who take him to a place where other gulls are free to fly the way they want. Chiang, the wisest bird there, goes beyond his previous learning: “You will begin to touch heaven, Jonathan, in the moment that you touch perfect speed. And that isn’t flying a thousand miles an hour, or a million, or flying at the speed of light. Because any number is a limit, and perfection doesn’t have limits. Perfect speed, my son, is being there.”
With his new knowledge, Jonathan returns to Earth to teach and share his love of flying with other gulls who have been outlawed for not conforming. His first student, Fletcher Lynd Seagull, eventually becomes a teacher. Finally, Jonathan leaves to tend to other flocks.
“Jonathan Livingstone Seagull” has been loved and decried since its publication in 1970. To some, it is a boring story about birds and flying. But to many others, this is first and foremost a story about humanity. In this metaphorical tale, author Richard Bach forces readers to face their reflection in Life’s mirror and ask themselves the following: “What have I truly followed? My dreams or the crowd?” Despite the pain of being outlawed, Jonathan quickly realizes that there is no better option than being himself, no matter what happens: “‘The only true law is that which leads to freedom,’ Jonathan said. ‘There is no other.’”
Reminiscent of Jiddu Krishnamurti’s and Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophies, “Jonathan Livingstone Seagull” speaks to the inner child in us. Like “The Prophet,” Khalil Gibran’s masterpiece, this book is a must-read and is suitable for the entire family.
“Jonathan Livingstone Seagull” inspired a movie of the same title with a wonderful soundtrack composed by legendary musician Neil Diamond (see the two videos at the end of the article). The DVD was released in 2007.
The book is available for purchase at Amazon.ca.
For more information on Richard Bach, the author, visit his official Website.
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Cendrine Marrouat is a writer, published author and translator living in Canada. Official Website: http://www.cendrinemarrouat.com
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