Motorbike dealers may be interested in a Guardian article written by John Mullan in which he identifies ten of the best motorcycles in literature.
He starts by mentioning Setting Free the Bears by John Irving. Written in the 1960s, the book features the characters Hannes and Siggy, who set out on a tour of Austria on a 700cc Royal Enfield motorcycle.
Then comes Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M Pirsig. According to Mr Mullan, “however you define this once-cult classic, no literary motorbiking column could omit it”.
He notes that the narrator of the book introduces his audience to the main schools of western philosophy via metaphors from motorbike parts and mechanics. This is done while he is travelling across the US with his son on the back of his bike.
Meanwhile, a mention also goes out to Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by JK Rowling.
Although motorbike dealers may not initially associate the book with their favoured mode of transport, Mr Mullan points out that in the first chapter, such two-wheeled devices play a role.
Hagrid enters on a flying motorbike with a sidecar and rescues Harry from Voldemort. Also, in the last book of the sequence, Hagrid crashes and destroys the magical vehicle – meaning the character may have been left in need of motorbike parts to get it up and running again.
Mr Mullan also mentions Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres, stating: “A motorbike can be romantic. So it is for benign occupier Captain Antonio Corelli, who squires the beautiful Pelagia around the island of Cephalonia on a motorcycle (when not playing the mandolin). Years later, the elderly Corelli returns to woo her – on a motorbike.”
Those who want to see motorbikes in action from this book can watch the 2001 version of a film based on the literary offering starring the likes of Penelope Cruz.
Similar Posts:
- Used Motorcycle Parts Locators
- Two Wheels are Better Than Four, as Petrol Prices Soar
- The History of AJS Motorcycles
- Music Review of the Stand Ins by Okkervil River
- Arthur Zawodny – The Man Who Road His Motorcycle Through and Around 40 Countries
