Robert Pirsig (Zen ... Motorcycle Maintenance) Transitions (dies)
I read it in high school, not too long after it was published. (Thanks, Dad, for letting me swipe your copy. :9:) I remember not being clear on why it had gotten such a strong response, but the discussion of capital-Q "Quality" did stick with me.
"Quality" 2006 interview from
The Guardian, here:
The interview: Robert Pirsig
"Zen and the art of Robert Pirsig" (longer version)