Reviews

A Joseph Campbell Companion: Reflections on the Art of Living by Joseph Campbell, Robert Walter, Diane K. Osbon, Diane Osbon

wkbryant2021's review against another edition

4.0

Joseph Campbell’s musings on life. This book is basically a collection of his coolest thoughts from the transcript of a weeklong workshop he did. Lots of insights covering basically everything in life.

lanceschaubert's review against another edition

4.0

Rather than write a review of this man's life work, I'd rather just cite the various posts I've written about him in the past:

• Monomyth Definition: A Defense of The Hero’s Journey
• Hindu Monotheism : The Upanishads and Vedanta
• Follow Your Bliss : Results of Joseph Cambell’s Advice
• The New
Hero: Tolkien and Subversion
• Joseph Campbell Religion :: Did Joseph Campbell Believe in God?
• Joseph Campbell Religion :: Did Joseph Campbell Believe in God?
• Was Joseph Campbell atheist?

And because I like having fun, the Zero with 1,000 Faces

Mark: Got a new lighting rig and arrangement that I want to test out, but I need something that changes and moves around a bunch. You up for a challenge?

Lancelot: [silence. I’m thinking…]

Mark: Day… in the… studio?

Lancelot: New lighting set up?

Mark: Yeah, it’s–

Lancelot: What if I tapped into my old thespian and modeling skillset and tried to give you as many faces as possible?

Mark: So… you’d… wait. Like trying to get me to mix it up as you mix it up?

Lancelot: Yes. You’ll keep me on my toes, making sure the faces are all different. I’ll keep you on your toes so you switch your style.

Mark: Sounds fun.

Lancelot: We’ll call it… [Dr. Evil voice] THE ZERO WITH 1000 FACES.

Mark: [Quiet for awhile, then:] Okay.

Well we got into the studio and I brought exactly four billion props and costumes.

reba_reads_books's review against another edition

4.0

It took me awhile to finish this one because it's densely packed with heavy thoughts and analyses, but the overdue fines I accrued at the library were worth it. This text didn't feel academic but personal...past the mind, into the heart.

thomp649's review against another edition

2.0

Let’s focus on the word companion. Here it means a little fellow you might carry around with you, or leave on your nightstand. You consult it when you have a few minutes to read one of the 2-3 page entries. You do not do what I did, which is read it straight through over the course of a day or two.

I was following up on a friend’s recommendation, but I was also seeking an introduction to Joseph Campbell’s thought. I didn’t find this fit for that purpose, but who knows? Maybe I have a less abiding interest in Campbell than I thought. I haven’t given up on him, but I’m still seeking.

The editor has compiled short reflections taken from talks or conversations with Campbell with passages from his published writings, including some where Campbell himself is quoting from people like Nietzsche, Jung or James Joyce. Campbell’s work on myth and comparative religions inspired more recent trends in symbology, including works that (unlike Campbell) deploy his insights in creative storytelling. The book also intersperses little aphorisms that seem like they should be poetic, but mostly aren’t.

I hope my rating doesn’t dissuade readers who go in for this sort of thing. But maybe it will be helpful for those who don’t.

elpanek's review against another edition

3.0

A little more self-help-y than his other, more academic works. But if you're looking for something more inspirational than educational and already like Campbell (and who doesn't, really), then its worth checking out.

avidreader101's review against another edition

emotional informative mysterious reflective

5.0

rclyburn's review against another edition

4.0

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the integration of Western, Eastern & Aboriginal philosophies. Having just finished a Bhuddist book, I felt like this book was stuck in the duality, and could not give it more than 4 stars. In terms of morality, duality is the second stage, and quite basic. There is right and wrong, but there is also grey. I was also stuck on the fact that Campbell placed so much emphasis on the differences between men and women.

Women have life thrust upon them, and men must seek it out. - sort of thing

I think that we are all equal souls seeking enlightenment, and that we must reach past the duality to where all is equal. Looking at gender and language: Campbell is looking at the world through the lens of French - there are two genders. But if he switched lenses, to say German, he would see that there are three genders.

What if the true hero must be gender neutral? He throws off his gender to reach the Grail.

mackayandrew's review against another edition

inspiring lighthearted reflective slow-paced

5.0

I have carried this book with me — even when I only had the carry-on luggage option — all over the world. 

spiderfelt's review against another edition

5.0

Reflections on the Art of Living: A Joseph Campbell Companion (1995)

ewynn610's review against another edition

1