4 out of 4 stars
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David trudged the way from Central Station to the park for a place to contemplate “existence,” or “his role in the world,” and “to discover the personality he needed to make himself popular.” He found himself in a garden with manicured lawns, exotic trees, and a fish pond. What a fitting ambiance for his lofty thoughts. I thought it reminiscent of Academus grove, the site of Plato’s Academy, where philosophers congregated. Moreover, it seemed fortuitous that David had the philosopher Nietzsche with him in a book. Other philosophers, he could quote verbatim if needed. The graffiti on the walls made him aware of the pulse of popular opinion of the times, and the epigrammatic lyrics of Jim Morrison’s songs wafting in his ears attuned him to music and poetry. “The contest of life had begun,” he mused. “All I want to be is handsome and talented,” he considered. Afterward, he concluded: “Money, sex, and power; that’s all I need.”
Then as though to augur something ominous, or auspicious — whichever it would turn out to be in the succeeding years of David’s life — a raven makes its appearance into the scene. David does not ascribe any significance to this incident, but that can’t dispel from my mind the gnawing suspicion that the author might presage something of importance. Or else, that can just be a humorous mimicry or meme on Edgar Allan Poe.
Thus would David start to bare his mind to us in this book Read my Mind: True Tales for Cathartic Consumption by Stephen McLeod which chronicles thirty years of David’s life as he transforms from an idealistic youth to a seasoned middle-aged man.
Stephen McLeod had presented, to a remarkable degree of realism, David’s character as a philosophical youth aspiring for popularity and power. And inasmuch as Nietzsche figured significantly in David’s psyche, I thought David should have subscribed to Nietzsche’s idea of a “Superman” as well, albeit in the right perspective. Nietzsche delineated this to be something intrinsic, not physical as how the Nazis have blatantly misinterpreted.
I liked how McLeod utilized poems and song lyrics, epigrams, aphorisms, platitudes, and quotes from philosophers to mold the mindset of David, then in a sense, rationalize David’s desires or failures. For instance, David hoped of having his rock-star attributes to be discovered when he mused: “Great lyrics is all I need.” Then he further added, “Oh, damn! And that musical supergroup too.” Einstein would embolden him: “You only fail when you stop trying.” And some time afterward, there was this poem: “It’s Cool to be Ordinary.”
I was amazed to discover several utterances of David’s to be lines or phrases of personages in History or the media. He had the penchant to speak in a grandiose manner, usually utilizing memorable verses — recognizable as having been said elsewhere in books, plays or movies. For instance, when parking his car he would say, “Let’s land this module.” To open the car doors he’ll say, “Open the pod bay doors, Hal?” Before leaving, he’ll declare, “I shall return.” And upon his return, he’ll announce, “The eagle had landed.” Now, wary that he might be labeled as being dreamy, he retorted, “You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.” There were many more. With all those considered, I must say that Stephen McLeod had written majestically, making this gem of a memoir virtually a portmanteau of witticism and humor.
There is nothing I disliked in the book, although I disagreed with some of the philosophies. The ideas herein presented were thought-provoking, and of widely ranging topics touching on personal matters, religion, spirituality, local and global issues. With that said, I recommend this book to matured readers of the non-fiction genre, especially to those who love memoirs and poetry. Three errors slipped past the editors, but the writing was adeptly executed to exude wit and humor. Read My Mind: True Tales for Cathartic Consumption is hereby rated 4 out of 4 stars.
And lastly, I can’t leave the page without saying: I like the poem titled “Steroids” despite its title’s seeming disregard for the contents. Here’s an excerpt:
“Scholars ink is holier than
Martyrs blood of any old clan
Shame and guilt, pain and regret
History repeats, lest we forget
Funded by giants, fashioned by elves
Profit to others, loss to ourselves
Fox on the prowl and bird on the wing
Laugh as the clown is considered a King.”
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Read My Mind
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