We've got your back. With the Tough-O-Meter, you'll know whether to bring extra layers or Swiss army knives as you summit the literary mountain. (10 = Toughest)
(9) Mt. Everest
We're going to level with you: this is not an easy read.
For starters, it can seem like Mr. Campbell really needed the timely services of a good editor and a lot of red pens. Sometimes the book gets so concerned with providing examples for each point that we almost lose track of the points he's trying to make.
Plus, the book goes to some seriously heavy places: you know, the place where you think about fundamental questions of the universe and how they relate to our own little lives here on Earth.
It's not for the timid, which is ironic since so many of the movies and books inspired by the model are pretty accessible (and frankly, a lot of fun). You can parse what it all means—and we hope this guide helps—but you better be ready for some serious reading.