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Paperback
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
Sharon Kaye
ISBN13: 9781405163156
Condition: NEW
Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Sometimes it feels like you need a Ph.D. to follow the show. But you don't. You just need this book in which twenty-one philosophers explore the deep questions we all face as survivors on this planet: Does "everything happen for a reason"? Is torture ever justified? Who are the Others? How do we know we're not patients in Hurley's psych ward? What if the Dharma Intitiative is experimenting on us? Desmond may not be able to save Charlie, but this book could save you.
- A provocative study of the hit television show, Lost, currently in its third season and set to reach its climax in 2010
- Highlights the sense in which Lost is a genuinely philosophical show
- Helps fans understand and navigate some of Lost’s deeper meanings
- Connects episodes and events in the show to core philosophical issues such as truth, identity, and morality
- Shows that it’s no accident that there are Lost characters names Locke, Rousseau, and Hume
| Customer Reviews: |
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| Best / Worst Chapters... |
| Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 |
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The consensus of Amazon customer reviews strikes me as quite accurate: a fine and thoughtful book for both fans and curious intelligent general readers. Twenty-one essays, generally a worthwhile experience, but there were some standouts...
Five chapters that the editors should be really proud of - great stuff:
The Island of Ethical Subjectivism: Not the Paradise of Lost, by George Wrisley
Meaning and Freedom on the Island, by Sander Lee
No Exit...from the Island: A Sartrean Analysis of Lost, by Sandra Bonetto
Lost's State of Nature, by Richard Davies
Lost and the Problem of Life after Birth, by Jeremy Barris
Five chapters that the editors might not be so proud of - questionable inclusions:
Should We Condemn Michael for Saving Walt? by Rebecca Vartabedian
Lost, The Third Policeman, and Guerilla Ontology, by Jessica Engelking
Lost in Codes: Interpretation and Deconstruction in Lost's Narrative, by Tom Grimwood
The Tao of John Locke, by Shai Biderman and William Devlin
Everything Happens for a Reason, by David Werther
The other 11 chapters are all solid and interesting, though somewhat lacking in the combination of analysis, insight, and sparkle of the recommended ones above. Cheers.
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| Was this the right time? |
| Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 |
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Somehow, I became infected with the LOST meme. If you are a fan of the show, I am sure you understand what I mean. If you are not a fan of the show, I will warn you to stay away. It is a relentless contagion! This book has only made the condition worse.
What I enjoy about the book is that it highlights my favorite aspects of the show. One could certainly enjoy LOST at various levels. Some friends and family have infatuations with various characters. Sawyer apparently is the quintessential bad boy that good girls desire, while Libby seems to be the good girl that some of real life bad boys want to turn bad. At the same time, the plot lines are complex and most often unpredictable. Most importantly, in my opinion, the show is an enjoyable example of guerilla ontology. We are challenged to new concepts and ideas through cognitive dissonance. This book provides the fans that enjoy this aspect of the show with additional views and opinions to evaluate the philosophical propositions posed in the different story lines.
For those of you who have seen the other books on my reading list, you will note I have read similar books, for example: The Simpsons & Philosophy, Lord of The Rings & Philosophy. In comparison to these other books, this particular book is pretty good, not great just good. The Simpsons book was certainly funnier, but given the subject matter, one would expect as much. Just like the other books, it had some excellent chapters and some real clunkers. Perhaps this is the greatest criticism of all. With such rich soil, the harvest was not nearly as rich as it could have been.
Also, if you are a fan of the show (and I would not recommend this book to someone who is not) you will quickly note that the books is not current. It was published too soon, first going to press in 2008. There is so much that has happened since then. They do not deal with John Lock going... Well, I had better not share that. Neither do they deal with Jacob and... Maybe that is something I had better not discuss either. In any event, there is so much that has happened as well as about to happen that it might have been better to wait for the conclusion of the show.
Despite these shortcomings, if you are a fan of LOST I would recommend this book.
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| Should be Philosophy and LOST |
| Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 |
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The structure of many of the essays in this book are such that they talk about philosophy and use LOST as examples or instances of the ideas. Think about this book as an introduction to philosophy by way of LOST. Its actually really cool.
I'm a philosophy student, so many of the themes were familiar to me. I can't really say how one with no prior exposure to philosophy might fare, but my gut tells me that if you have the mental capacity to follow LOST, you'll be able to sift through this book. For those with experience in philosophy, the readings are actually pretty light and summarize/apply classic thinkers to scenarios rather than advancing any new arguments.
Also, I should say that the book stops at Season Three. Anything after "Through The Looking Glass" isn't covered.
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| YES for the average LOST fan |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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I couldn't help but want to respond to all the low-rated side reviews I saw for this book with titles such as "Not for the average LOST fan" or "For Philosophy Majors only." Yes it IS for the average LOST fan, and NO it ISN'T for philosophy majors only. One guy said even the most fervent LOST fan wouldn't be able to follow the ideas of this book. All I have to say is YOU CAN DO it!
It DOES take some thought and it isn't something I would hand to my elementary school children, but are you smarter than a fifth grader?
Have you HONESTLY been watching LOST since season one and NOT thought about the themes of the show after you've turned off the TV? Have you honestly not pondered what you would do if you were Michael? Have you honestly not noticed how sometimes Locke seems to be the castaway's tribal medicine man, as much as he talks about destiny and what is SUPPOSED to happen (and then that smokehouse episode where he lost his voice and rescued Eko from the polar bear) and then followed that thought with "Jack is a doctor, the real medicine man. Hmmmm - no wonder they don't really get along." REALLY?
Well, if you have, and you like to read, then I really think you would like this book. Chances are pretty good that all the essays are something you've thought about after watching the show anyway.
But if you are still unsure, go to EW.com, Entertainment Weekly's web site, and go to their LOST page. Click "Doc Jensen's Analysis" tab and read (or search for) Season Three's "I'm Going to Hell for this" column and if that was too much for you to comprehend (or interest you), then this book is NOT for you, and that is a shame because this book could really enhance the show's viewing for its "fervent" fans. Fervent fans being those who have seen every episode. And really, are there any who haven't?
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| Awesome Book |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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I love this show, its the best on TV. I've also found this book to be very good also. Now I'm going back and watching all the seasons over to find secrets and clues that I may have missed.
One of the things LOST introduced me to was the Twilight Zone which J.J. Abrams was inspired. Besides this book, I recommend one other also on Amazon.com. THE TWILIGHT ZONE: Unlocking the Door to a Television Classic by Martin Grams. Together, both books open the skies for cult television.
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