Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (Dramatised)

By: Robert M. Pirsig, Peter Flannery

Narrated by: James Purefoy, full cast

An odyssey into life’s challenging questions during an unforgettable summer motorcycle trip

Acclaimed as one of the most exciting books in the history of American letters, Robert M. Pirsig’s Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance became an instant bestseller upon its publication in 1974. A powerful examination of how we live, as well as a breath-taking meditation on how to live better, it tells the epic story of a father and son’s motorcycle trip across America’s Northwest in the 1960s.

Pirsig’s modern classic transformed a generation and continues to inspire millions of readers today. Dramatised for radio for the first time by Peter Flannery (Our Friends in the North, George Gently, The Devil’s Whore), this fantastic full-cast production stars James Purefoy (Rome, Injustice, Ironclad) and adds a new and original dimension to an iconic work. Following a father and his young son on their cross-country summer adventure from Minnesota to California, it is a story of love, fear, growth, discovery and acceptance. Both personal and philosophical, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is also a compelling study of relationships, values, enlightenment and meaning.

The maintenance of the motorcycle throughout the journey illustrates how to unify the cold, rational realm of technology with the warm, imaginative realm of artistry. Resonating with the confusions and the wonders of existence, the narrator wrestles with some of the most important philosophical questions of the 20th century. His need to also reconcile his past and present selves drives him and his son forward, to a point where all is either lost or won on the Chautauqua spiritual journey.

This audio edition includes a bonus 10 minutes of material that was not broadcast on the radio.

NB: the recording contains strong language.

Production credits
Author: Robert M. Pirsig
Dramatist: Peter Flannery
Original music: Jon Nicholls
Sound Design: Eloise Whitmore
Producer: Melanie Harris

A Sparklab production for BBC Radio 4.

©2012 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2012 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

don't waste our time

it's not the book. it's just highlights of the story. I have read this book twice before and this is missing too much of the original story.

pretty good I thought.

do wish they had the full book though. this version is quite emotional. the book fleshed out the ideas more.

worth jt

loved it so much in listened to it two times, and in a row, great.

Deep

Kind of hard to stick with far from life-changing as some people describe it not even that adventurous of a motorcycle trip. But quite a trip for the motorcycle he was on.

This apparently shortened version of the book is moving.

Emotional journey that explores some basic philosophical concepts. A don’t know how much of the book was left out, as I discovered after I purchased it, it wasn’t the whole thing. But enjoyed what was here.