Jeremy has long been curious about graffiti around town urging people to read "Ishmael," like this message on a pedestrian bridge along the Grand Canal near Central Avenue. Photo: Jeremy Duda/Axios
It looks like I'm not the only one wondering about graffiti touting the philosophical novel "Ishmael."
The intrigue: Graffiti around town urges people, "Read 'Ishmael' by Daniel Quinn."
State of play: In the 1992 novel, an unnamed narrator becomes the student of a telepathic gorilla named Ishmael, who teaches him lessons about humanity, civilization, culture and myths.
Zoom in: On the r/phoenix Reddit community last month, someone inquired about the same graffiti pictured above, on a pedestrian bridge over the Grand Canal just east of Central Avenue, noting they'd seen it near 19th and Glendale avenues.
Whatever the origins, it's not just a Phoenix thing. Similar tagging can be seen across the country, and websites promote "Ishmael" art, including stickers portraying the same graffiti.
