Alright, let’s get this out of the way first: Nietzsche’s Thus Spoke Zarathustra is an absolute whirlwind of philosophical ideas. It’s bold, it’s provocative, and, if you’re into shaking up your worldview, it’s got some solid punches. But—there’s a big "but"—it can also feel like Nietzsche’s just throwing everything at you and hoping something sticks.

The idea of the Ubermensch, or "overman," is one of the most captivating parts of the book. It’s like Nietzsche’s answer to the question of how to live authentically in a world that’s lost its meaning. The Ubermensch isn’t some superhuman in the traditional sense—it’s about overcoming our limitations, transcending the mediocrity of societal expectations, and creating our own values. It sounds incredibly liberating, right? But here’s the thing: the execution of it feels a bit, well, too idealistic. Nietzsche paints this picture of an individual who is both free and self-overcoming, but he doesn’t really give us the practical roadmap to get there. Sure, it’s inspiring, but it also leaves you thinking, "Okay, now what? How do I actually become this Ubermensch?"

Then there’s the whole “God is dead” thing. It’s a powerful concept, no doubt, and it’s at the core of Nietzsche’s philosophy. He’s essentially saying that the traditional values of religion are crumbling, and without a new guiding moral framework, we’re left in the void. The problem here is that while Nietzsche tells us we need to create our own meaning, he doesn’t always provide clear guidance on how to do that. It feels like he’s asking us to dive headfirst into a void, but he forgets to mention how deep that void really is. For someone who champions individual freedom, Nietzsche’s answers often feel more like riddles than actionable insights.

Another issue I had was with Zarathustra himself. There’s something oddly preachy about him. He’s this figure who’s supposed to be the bearer of new wisdom, but often he comes off as more of a philosopher-prophet spouting cryptic, poetic declarations. Some of these sayings are brilliant, no doubt, but a lot of the time it feels like Nietzsche’s just trying too hard to sound profound. Instead of offering clarity, Zarathustra can sometimes feel like he’s making things more complicated than they need to be. It’s as if Nietzsche’s using the character of Zarathustra to push his own ideas, but in doing so, he makes it harder to really digest them.
That said, there’s no denying the impact of Thus Spoke Zarathustra. It’s a book that challenges you to think, to question everything, and to build your own philosophy. The problem is, it’s also a book that doesn’t always offer answers—it leaves you hanging. Nietzsche’s passion is undeniable, but there are moments when it feels like his brilliance is clouded by his own grandeur.

So, four out of five? Yeah, that’s about right. It’s a masterpiece of existential thought, but it’s also a dense, cryptic puzzle that can be exhausting to unravel. Nietzsche gives us the tools, but sometimes, it feels like he’s a little too elusive in helping us figure out how to use them.