Ishmael an adventure of the mind and spirit

[Melissa Coffield]

I have recently decided to re-read Ishmael by Daniel Quin. I read it when it was first released in 1993. For some reason it has been calling me. It has always been one of my favorites; it is located on my 4 star shelf. At this point I am half way through.

Ishmael (an Adventure of the Mind and Spirit) by Daniel Quin is about a man looking for a teacher. Through the classifieds he finds Ishmael; a huge gorilla in an office space behind glass. Ishmael shortly describes his existence; being taken from his mother, sent to a zoo, then sent to a sideshow during the 1930s. He was rescued by whom he calls his benefactor. His benefactor took care of him until his passing at which point his daughter took over.

"How did we come to be this way?" Is the starting question for Ishmael's student. Ishmael asks him question after question; all making you think. He almost seems sarcastic because he knows the answers to the questions he asks. He wants his student to think about them. When he gets his answer he imparts on you knowledge on how that can or cannot work.

Since I have read the book previously I know how illusive Ishmael is in the first half. I find myself reading into the night going "come on! When do I get to the answer!" I mean this in an exciting way. I will continue when I finish the second half. That way it is fresh in my mind