Jonathan Livingston Seagull

I found this book in a rummage sale this weekend. It’s by Richard Bach and I remember hearing the oral story on some radio station years and years ago. I was moved by it as a very young woman and did buy that oral verison and I think it was narrated by Richard Burton [have to look for these old LPs]. It’s primarily a story about a seagull who loves to fly and perfects his flying. He’s not too much interested in flying to eat but flying for the pure pleasure of it–doing things that no seagull has ever done in flight–like reaching speeds of 200+mph! But he is cast out by the elders of the flock because they think his folly is foolish.

Personally, what I like about this book is about people who march to the beat of their own drum. They pursue things for the pleasure of it instead of accepting the status quo. Yes, we have to eat and there are responsibilities in this life but is that really all there is? I have as well as others, become very stressed about things this life throws at us–we do have to eat and pay bills etc. But is that all there is? Was this life meant just to be a struggle to survive? I wonder what our life would be if we pursued things we truly enjoyed?

It is an easy to read book–even a child can pick this up. The copyright on my book reads 1970–I’m sure you could still find it on ebay, Amazon or even a rummage sale. Also I have a Neil Diamond LP [somewhere] that has this title–can’t remember if the oral story is on there as well as no. But for something different and encouraging and giving you a different perspective in life–I do recommend it! 🙂