Book Commentary || Jonathan Livingston Seagull - Richard Bach

 

Book Review || Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach

 

Number of pages: 127

Published year: 1970

Genre: Motivational, Self-help, Novella, Inspirational.

 

The plot is very simple yet it has a deep motivation in it. Richard Bach, an American writer who is known for his philosophical work, has presented this book full of metaphorical context.

The hero of our story, Jonathan Livingston, a tenacious young seagull has always tried to do things that other gulls don’t even think about it.

Here’s how the author plotted the story. One fine morning, when most seagulls were looking for food near the shore as they don’t have any interest in learning or experimenting with different flights, our Hero Jonathan Seagull, stretched his wings and practiced many flying techniques. Other gulls are satisfied with just getting food from shore and back again. It is not flying that matters but eating matters a lot for them. But for Jonathan, it was not eating that mattered, but flight. He loved to fly. He keeps on practicing his flying techniques. The whole gull community including his family members are unhappy with his activity as they thought that he was doing everything against the seagull’s nature. Despite repeated warnings by his community leader, he never gave up his love of flying techniques. So, they expelled him from their place.

What happened next is all about the fable. Whether he succeeded in learning the new flying techniques which other seagulls are unable to do or he turned out to be normal gull-like other.

Richard Bach has written this book for a real Jonathan seagull who lives within us all. Every word penned by him motivates us to follow our passion. Throughout the story, the gull never bothered about the result. He has failed several times. But the one thing which stood out while reading was, he kept on working on what he loved.

Even if everything turned against you, stand with you and follow your passion, which only gives you fulfilment and purpose in your life.

 

Cheers.

Thanks.