“Journeys of an Underground Philosopher”
Though short this is an interesting book. It describes the life and thoughts of a traveller turned station announcer. He mixes mundane snippets of life on the tube with deep thoughts about the structure of society he sees through its expression in those muddling their way through the underground system.
It is structured as a series of paragraphs, each encapsulating a thought, event or idea, each standing alone without need for support from those around it, however when read in sequence (how else was I going to read it?) they come together to form a coherent stream, a story.
The most interesting parts of the book, from my point of view, are those where he exposes his thoughts on the time he spent in Japan. While these experiences rarely intersect with my own, they all seem poignant, like he understands the people far better than I ever could. This kind of understanding, surely, must work just as well when turned against our own people, only I’m too close to be able to see it.
A philosophy book written by a real person. Worth the time.