I’ll go with the low-hanging fruit: Mein Kampf. I’ve read it, cover to cover. As a piece of propaganda, it’s good. As an example of good writing? Absolutely not (though I will admit I have only read it in translation). Oh, and the whole fascist, racist, and generally shitty worldview of the author that he infuses into the text. And the fact that the author is literally Hitler. You 5-star that book? You’re a Nazi. Period. And as a Jewish person, I don’t look too kindly on them.

  • temptar@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I read that about 20 years ago because there so much acclaim for it. I don’t get why it is targeted at adults.

    • SomeStardustOnEarth@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      It’s actually a book I use when I’m learning a new language, I read the translated version in x language. Why? Because it’s such a quick read and it’s so simple, not because it’s good. I’ve read it across languages and years of my life and yet I still don’t get why it’s targeted at adults either

      • esotericbatinthevine@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        10 months ago

        Christian, it’s beloved by many Christians. It fits much of what they preach.

        If I’d read it as a kid, I’d have loved it. But I was indoctrinated in the religion at the time. Reading it since leaving the church, nope, didn’t like it, but those I know still in the church absolutely love it. All of them.

        • SummonedShenanigans@alien.topBEnglish
          1·
          10 months ago

          What church was this? I find the views expressed in The Alchemist to be quite incompatible with most modern strands of Christianity.

          The core belief of the book is that if you find and pursue your own “personal legend,” the entire universe will conspire to make it happen.

          • esotericbatinthevine@alien.topBEnglish
            1·
            10 months ago

            A few different protestant churches. Actually, someone else may have hit the mark better than me. The people I know who love it, all go to churches with a lot of wealthy people, even if they themselves are not.

            But the interpretation of “personal legend” I hear from my christian acquaintances is discovering god’s purpose for them. So, they interpret it in a manner in line with their religion, no matter the intent behind the book. But that interpretation works. Pursue god’s plan for you and the universe will conspire to make it happen, though not without challenges that require perseverance along the way.