Jonathan the seagull

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Mediterranean seagull (Larus michahellis) in flight at sunrise

The Jonathan Seagull (Original title: Jonathan Livingston Seagull , pronunciation ˈdʒɑːnəθən ˈlɪvɪŋstən ˈsiːgʌl ) is a novel by the American writer Richard Bach from 1970.

The work

The novel describes in three parts the life of the seagull Jonathan, which differs from its fellow species through its individual way of life. The seagull strives for perfection in flying and is therefore excluded from the other seagulls. These only use their limited and mediocre flying skills to search for food, as a means to an end. You fly to live. Jonathan, on the other hand, wants to perfect his flying skills. He wants to live to fly. He practices in the swoop to break speed records, in loops and similar flugakrobatischen tricks. He wants to experience beyond the average and the extraordinary. The learning and striving for the new and the unknown, of which the freedom of flight is just one example, is Jonathan the meaning of his existence, but for which he recognizes the germ in every seagull. Because he thereby " offends against the dignity and traditions of the gull clan", he is banned from the council of elders of the flock of gulls. Despite the exclusion, he does not give up, but passionately adheres to his goals, especially to convey the knowledge that flying in itself (life in itself) is the purpose of existence, not eating. After the seagull Jonathan dies (as a light being faces the large, light-flooded seagull), she decides to return to earth to pass on her experiences with the happiness of flying as a purpose in life to other, young seagulls. In this respect, the parable is also a symbol for people who selflessly help others in their search for spiritual insights, although they are aware that “the crush” does not actually want them.

filming

The novel was filmed in 1973 by director Hall Bartlett under the same title . Despite its breathtaking nature shots , the film was more of a flop , but the film music by Neil Diamond became world famous.

Expenses (selection)

The books listed here have accompanying photos or drawings:

  • Jonathan the seagull . Ullstein, Frankfurt am Main 1970; 10. revised A. 1995, ISBN 3-550-08536-2 (large format)
  • Jonathan Livingston Seagull . Scribner, New York 2006, ISBN 0-7432-7890-9 (current English edition)
  • Jonathan the seagull . Ullstein, Berlin 2012, ISBN 978-3-548-28451-4 (paperback)

Audiobook read by Rufus Beck :

Web links