Mere Mortals Book Reviews

I explore the themes and insights from the book 'Japanese Death Poems' by Yoel Hoffman. I discussed the spirit of the Japanese people, their ability to embrace opposing ideas, and the complexity and simplicity of reality. I share selected death poems and provides analysis on their meaning. Reflecting on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing each moment. Finally, the delusion of death poems and emphasizing the value of embracing imperfection and taking action in life.Timeline:(0:00) - Introduction and Purpose(1:04) - The Spirit of the Japanese(3:53) - Selected Poems and Analysis(9:40) - The Last Day and the Delusion of Death Poems(12:51) - Conclusion and TakeawaysValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcastConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast

Japanese Death Poems by Yoel Hoffmann is a compelling anthology that explores the Japanese tradition of Jisei, or death poems. The book provides a deep dive into the cultural and historical significance of these poems, reflecting on the life, death, and impermanence of existence through the lens of Zen Buddhism. It is divided into three main sections: an introduction, death poems by Zen monks, and death poems by haiku poets. While the book may not offer practical takeaways, it offers a somber and thought-provoking perspective on life and death.Takeaways:Japanese Death Poems offers a unique insight into the cultural and historical significance of Jisei, or death poems.The book is structured into three main sections: an introduction, death poems by Zen monks, and death poems by haiku poets.Readers should approach the book with the expectation of philosophical contemplation rather than practical takeaways.Japanese Death Poems is recommended for those interested in exploring somber and thought-provoking perspectives on life and death.Timeline:(0:00) - Introduction to Japanese Death Poems(1:04) - Structure of the Book(3:31) - Structure of the Poems(4:30) - Understanding the Purpose of Death Poems(5:00) - Expectations and Practicality(6:17) - Recommendation and Reflection(7:35) - Summary and Final ThoughtsValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcastConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast

Would you have the fortitude to stick to your principles, even in the face of certain death?'Sir Gawain And The Green Knight' by an unknown poet is a story from a 14th/15th century manuscript. It tells of Sir Gawain, a knight at Arthur's round table who accepts a challenge from a mysterious & magical being. This requires him to willingly offer up his life whilst first being tempted by the most beautiful lady in the land. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this little ditty and is a great example of poetry told in alliterative verse.Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :)Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(4:10) - Themes/Questions(8:30) - Moral Learnings(19:21) - Author & Extras(23:28) - Summary(26:36) - Value 4 Value(28:33) - Join Live!Value 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcastConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast

Let's travel back to the days when people didn't take offense so easily ...... or did they?'The Innocents Abroad' by Mark Twain is a compendium of his adventures whilst travelling for 5 months across Europe & The Middle East. It is told in his usual humorous style of witty anecdotes and droll sarcastic one-liners. The bulk of it relates to visiting historic landmarks & places of cultural significance, with some parts on the actual travel journey itself. During his life it became his best selling book, also becoming renowned in the travel genre as well.Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :)Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(2:45) - Themes/Questions(15:44) - Author & Extras(19:32) - Summary(23:29) - Value 4 Value(25:04) - Join Live!Value 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcastConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast

Righteous anger can be useful .... if applied to the right people.'A Room Of One's Own' by Virginia Woolf is an essay critiquing woman's literature and female authors. Her core argument is that the lack of financial means, privacy and strict social norms has resulted in the inability for females to write great books. And that it is not due inherent feminine weakness or lack of genius. She also emphasises that women need to write in their own voice and spends a fair bit of time criticising authors like Charlotte Brontë and Mary Carmichael who don't do this adequately (in her opinion).Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :)Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(1:49) - Themes/Questions(16:23) - Author & Extras(20:22) - Summary(23:05) - Value 4 Value(24:58) - Join Live!Value 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcastConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast

Can you think yourself to death?'Confessions Of A Mask' by Yukio Mishima follows a young rather frail boy called Kochan in the 1920-40's period in Tokyo set against the backdrop of WW2. We see his homosexual desires for another boy Omi emerge as well as a morbid fascination with blood, death and love. He tries to force himself to fall in love with a girl called Sonoko but struggles to combine this with his true feelings. Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :)Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(2:53) - Themes/Questions(10:57) - Author & Extras(12:55) - Summary(16:16) - Value 4 Value(17:31) - Join Live!Value 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcastConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast

Manners, decorum, morals, tact, niceties, propriety. Doesn't this all sound fun!'A Room With A View' by E. M. Forster is the tale of a young woman who is constrained by the conventions of her time. Lucy Honeychurch lives in 1900's England and meets the strange George Emerson whilst travelling to Italy. After a brief but intense contact she returns home and becomes engaged to the uptight Cecil Vyse. However coincidence throws the two back together and she has to decide whether to be a proper lady or do what would make her happy.Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :)Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(3:00) - Themes/Questions(13:11) - Author & Extras(19:10) - Summary(22:28) - Value 4 Value(26:53) - Join Live!Value 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcastConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast

Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.'Death Of A Salesman' by Arthur Miller is a play that showcases the tragic life of a simple man with delusions of grandeur. Willy Loman is nearing the end of his days as a travelling salesman and the return of his son Biff pushes his instability into overdrive. Through a series of flashbacks we see how the whole family is suffering from their excessive pride before reaching an ultimate breaking point.Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :)Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(2:49) - Themes/Questions(9:08) - Author & Extras(10:19) - Summary(12:17) - Value 4 Value(16:31) - Join Live!Value 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcastConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast

Drop the dishes and let's get JACKED!!!'Picnic In The Storm' by Yukiko Motoya is a series of 11 short stories of everyday life in Japan, but with a twist. So inside you'll find stories about a housewife getting jacked, a cat that won't stop peeing everywhere and couples that keep merging into one entity. They were kind of fun although I found them more random than anything else.Hope you appreciate the new shorter format and want to thank Cole for all his fabulous voice acting!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(3:17) - Questions/Themes(7:07) - Author & Extras(10:31) - Summary(12:51) - Value 4 Value(15:33) - Join Live!Value 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcastConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast

Fret your silly head not, you won't leave this book discontented.'The Winter Of Our Discontent' by John Steinbeck takes place in the fictional New Baytown where Ethan Hawley has become dissatisfied with his life. The lingering legacy of his family is in stark contrast to the life of grocery store clerk trying to support his family. He decides to change his circumstances but must act ruthlessly to gain what he wants. He spends a lot of time in his head moralising, giving a great insight into the compromises we must all face at times.Big thanks to Deezlaughs for the support, much appreciated!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(1:49) - Initial Impression(2:50) - Plot/Style(5:07) - Quote 1(7:12) - Themes/Questions(10:04) - Quote 2(16:00) - Author & Extras(18:38) - Quote 3(20:45) - Summary(23:08) - Boostagram Lounge(24:42) - Value 4 ValueValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcastConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastConnect With Cole McCormick (Voice Actor):Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/colemccormick1Podcast: https://fountain.fm/show/6705669