samueldavies's review against another edition
4.0
Didn't agree with everything (as per usual) but I liked the branding and the analogies within that made for a cohesive message, stringed together with references to history, pop culture, philosophy and modern American psychology which I recognised but did not know a whole lot about, so I am keen to find out a bit more about those referenced works. I also found the travel and language discussions interesting, some of the earlier on anecdotes relatable and the tone well suited to a new generation of readers. I was surprised about what impacts this book had, and how enjoyable it was to read, hence why I finished it so quickly. I was also stunned at the width and depth of the author giving reference to Albert Camus among all 'absurdist' thinkers/writers to choose from and the astute comments made on existentialism and its root indifference (if I picked up on that part correctly). Anyways, was inspired and uplifted, appreciated the attempt at a narrative style ending in the final chapter and overall just had a good time reconsidering how what I choose to devote energy towards undermines the values framework I aspire to.
anajoaofernandes's review against another edition
2.0
Um título muito apelativo, uma mensagem interessante e que faz sentido, mas… ficava resumido em apenas um capítulo. Torna-se um livro muito repetitivo, sempre a repetir a mesma mensagem. Vale pelo sentido de humor do autor, que vai deixando histórias engraçadas ao longo dos capítulos.
cpenny124's review against another edition
2.0
Although there were tidbits of smart observations and an attempt at sympathy, this book fell short for me. I described it to my friends as the epitome of being mansplained to.
Trauma is brought up in this book, and the way it was handled proved that it was dealt with by someone who has never experienced it.
I would take everything he says with a grain of salt, considering he thinks he’s an entrepreneur because he was a marriage counselor and had a blog. He slept on some friends couches and had the luxury to leech off of loved ones, and thinks he’s a self made American dream come true.
Go speak with a woman with two children who is stuck in poverty and can’t quit her job to live in South Africa like he did, just to “experience culture”.
Go to a young girl who was raped and now deals with panic attacks when she is touched. Tell her that she has to choose how to react to the thing that happened to her. Tell her it’s not her fault that it happened, but it’s her fault that it still hurts.
Maybe listen to the man that commented on your blog post about “dealing with problems”, when his son died in a car crash, and thought you were unsympathetic to other peoples pain.
Go listen to peoples stories, then come back to us.
Trauma is brought up in this book, and the way it was handled proved that it was dealt with by someone who has never experienced it.
I would take everything he says with a grain of salt, considering he thinks he’s an entrepreneur because he was a marriage counselor and had a blog. He slept on some friends couches and had the luxury to leech off of loved ones, and thinks he’s a self made American dream come true.
Go speak with a woman with two children who is stuck in poverty and can’t quit her job to live in South Africa like he did, just to “experience culture”.
Go to a young girl who was raped and now deals with panic attacks when she is touched. Tell her that she has to choose how to react to the thing that happened to her. Tell her it’s not her fault that it happened, but it’s her fault that it still hurts.
Maybe listen to the man that commented on your blog post about “dealing with problems”, when his son died in a car crash, and thought you were unsympathetic to other peoples pain.
Go listen to peoples stories, then come back to us.
elsaaqazi's review against another edition
5.0
This is possibly in the list of the best books i have ever read. This was a negation of all the sweet-ass tumblr quotes that tell us we're special and great and meant to succeed. This book was a huge reality check slapped on the reader's face in the best possible way. I totally understand why some people may find it uncomfortable but if thought through were important life lessons that we ignore just for the sake of our own comfort.
You'll see me go back to this book time and time again. Really needed this right now.
You'll see me go back to this book time and time again. Really needed this right now.
mildnothing's review against another edition
4.0
It's not about being oblivious and apathetic, it's about choosing what to give a f*ck about, and freeing yourself from worrying about things you shouldn't.
zklouds's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
3.0
french_bookthief's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
dr_tree's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
3.75
Gratuitous with the foul language and a little self-absorbed with the examples, but generally good advice and reflection on how we choose to live our lives.
mapz95's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.5
Didn't live up to the hype people give it. It mentions lots of obvious stuff, and only added little value. I would still recommend it to people, but I won't glorify it like everyone around me does.