I liked it for the tons and tons of interesting facts on and observations of life in New Zealand.

I didn’t finish it due to the meandering writing style. ...Which may have been easier to overlook if I wasn’t in New Zealand find my own facts and making my own observations.

Some really great stuff.
Like the essay on why he lives in Seattle.

Some stuff that falls completely flat.
Like the opening short story.

Probably best read in the Barnes and Noble cafe.

A wonderfully Western look at the how the base cultural assumptions of a singular self keep us from understanding many of the grander connections in life.

I picked it up at the Seattle airport after unexpectedly finishing the book I brought for the flight. I whole heartedly believe in the concept. The various antidotes to back it up are interesting in a trivia sort of way. Yet I’m not drawn to it. It’s a short book that could probably be even shorter.

if you only read one book this year, skip this one. if you’re going to read a lot of books, it’s worth a look. there are some great passages and some strong ideas, but it doesn’t all work out. much of it is forced. especially in the last third. still, it’s nice to read something that’s shooting for more genuine than is the current norm – even with the misses.