This is Nietzsche’s most-frequently discussed book and, judging by Goodreads, his most widely read one as well. I think that’s a bit of a shame. While I do understand the draw of Thus Spoke Zarathustra, it hardly makes for a good introduction to his philosophy. Instead, it’s more of an elaboration of thoughts he had begun to develop elsewhere, namely in The Gay Science, which I found to be a much more compelling work.

All of the classical Nietzschean concepts are here: The “Overman” or Übermensch, the death of God, eternal recurrence, critique of European (or really Abrahamic) morality, and so on.

The frame story was perhaps the most interesting, and I was especially drawn to Part 4, which apparently was not in the original publication. The gathering of a motley crew of “Higher Men” who fail to overcome themselves and instead worship an ass is quite enlightening–and also hilarious to imagine. Not even Zarathustra, who I think Nietzsche would identify as the origin of good/evil dualism, is able to overcome himself and become the Übermensch.

Unfortunately, put together, I’m not really sure that it worked. This is not a critique of Nietzsche’s ideas, which I do believe are important and powerful. Instead, I take issue with his presentation. Both his earlier short aphorisms and later treatises are better works.

I’m not quite sure why this book is so popular, but it is worth the read for those looking to dive deep into Nietzsche’s thought.