Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Jonathan Livingston Seagull cares more about the pure discipline of flight than about scavenging the fishing boats with his flock, and his refusal to conform gets him cast out as an Outcast. Alone, he teaches himself speeds and dives no gull has attempted, is greeted by a higher plane of seagull society, and finally chooses to return to teach other misfits back home. Richard Bach's slim parable, heavily illustrated with photographs of gulls in flight, became an unlikely bestseller and a touchstone of 1970s spiritual self-help.
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A seagull who would rather fly than scrap for fish is exiled by his flock for his obsession. Alone over the ocean, he learns more, meets older birds who can teach him, and quietly tries to bring it home.
Jonathan Livingston Seagull was written by Richard Bach and originally published in 1970. It became a global bestseller. A previously unpublished fourth part was added to the 2014 edition.
Yes. Jonathan Livingston Seagull is a spiritual fable about transcendence through learning and self-discovery. Richard Bach drew on his interest in flying and spiritual philosophy. The book has been embraced by readers across many religious traditions.
Jonathan Livingston Seagull is 96 pages in standard print editions, though page counts vary slightly between hardcover, paperback, and large-print formats.
At an average reading pace of about 250 words per minute, Jonathan Livingston Seagull takes most readers 1 to 2 hours to finish.
Jonathan Livingston Seagull is a standalone novel by Richard Bach, not part of a series.
Jonathan Livingston Seagull is available in hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats from Amazon, Bookshop.org, ThriftBooks, and most major bookstores.