Giovanni

I did have some moments when my resolve faltered, but overall this book met my "made-me-think, would re-read-if-I-had-the-time" criteria for 4⭐️. Chilling descriptions of addiction and depression. Loved the irony/sarcasm, and the prose (albeit often showy). Occasional sexism, racism, ableism etc, not always ascribable to the characters. Erudite, encyclopedic. Learned of many online resources about the book, at least one podcast and an entire community of enthusiasts.

Interesting read, but I find it peculiar that Richard Feynman had such a refreshing and honest take on scientific publishing and reporting (i.e. that it should be honest and not a carefully manufactured story in which all the mistakes and false leads are omitted), and then allowed for himself a carefully crafted, self-indulgent (hagiographical I dare say) memoir, with all the big and small successes, but no mistakes, doubts, or regrets.