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Reviews tagging 'Infidelity'
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson, Mark Manson
7 reviews
mattyvreads's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
2.75
I’m don’t think I liked this book very much, although I understand that some of the points Manson makes are extremely astute and well-put.
I could not get over the fact that this book is so inextricably white, cis, het, and male centered. It is hard to argue keys to a better life when you are starting from a foundation of such extreme, concentrated privilege. He won the privilege lottery. So yeah, I understand how you’re living your best, happy life. Oh, and he mentions he grew up rich, too.
The advice isn’t ill intentioned, but there are some glaring blind spots in his worldview. He tries (and fails, in my humble opinion) to think outside of his perspective. Those sections feel pretty reductive and out of touch.
The advice is largely anecdotal, which some readers might expect. Occasionally, he’ll talk abouthis girlfriend cheating on him or how during a rough patch of his life he had indiscriminate sex with many partners and then tries to connect those points to other people’s lives or stories or trauma. There is a disconnect for me there.
Some of the references in this book are very dated. There are some pretty glaring ageist, misogynistic, conservative or otherwise Puritan values in this book. One story in particular mentions a character who he repeatedly refers to as “the Asian girl” and makes a strange, sexualized joke about her. He implicitly shames the sex positivity / body liberation movement. Almost every example he gives of relationship dynamics is heteronormative and perpetuates harmful gendered stereotypes. There’s a lot to unpack.
Also, he brings up school shooters like three times and it’s always so jarring and seemingly out of nowhere.
Despite all of that, surprisingly, there are some great things in this book. Truly.
Here are some great insights from the book that I actually think are worthwhile:
1) “Happiness is not a solvable equation”
2) “Whatever makes us feel good will also inevitably make us feel bad”
3) “Certainty is the enemy of growth.”
4) “Choosing better things to give a fuck about”
I don’t think I’ll read it again. But I’m glad I read it once.
I could not get over the fact that this book is so inextricably white, cis, het, and male centered. It is hard to argue keys to a better life when you are starting from a foundation of such extreme, concentrated privilege. He won the privilege lottery. So yeah, I understand how you’re living your best, happy life. Oh, and he mentions he grew up rich, too.
The advice isn’t ill intentioned, but there are some glaring blind spots in his worldview. He tries (and fails, in my humble opinion) to think outside of his perspective. Those sections feel pretty reductive and out of touch.
The advice is largely anecdotal, which some readers might expect. Occasionally, he’ll talk about
Some of the references in this book are very dated. There are some pretty glaring ageist, misogynistic, conservative or otherwise Puritan values in this book. One story in particular mentions a character who he repeatedly refers to as “the Asian girl” and makes a strange, sexualized joke about her. He implicitly shames the sex positivity / body liberation movement. Almost every example he gives of relationship dynamics is heteronormative and perpetuates harmful gendered stereotypes. There’s a lot to unpack.
Also, he brings up school shooters like three times and it’s always so jarring and seemingly out of nowhere.
Despite all of that, surprisingly, there are some great things in this book. Truly.
Here are some great insights from the book that I actually think are worthwhile:
2) “Whatever makes us feel good will also inevitably make us feel bad”
3) “Certainty is the enemy of growth.”
4) “Choosing better things to give a fuck about”
I don’t think I’ll read it again. But I’m glad I read it once.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide, Grief, and War
lovesbug787's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
It is somewhat repetitive but gets the point across. Gives a lot of good information
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Infidelity, and Mental illness
Moderate: Addiction, Child death, Grief, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Minor: Body shaming, Cancer, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and War
Talks about a lot of uncomfortable or unfortunate situations as examples for ways to change life. They are brief for the most part but are covered and may be unsuitable for some peoplesabinehunter's review against another edition
challenging
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Infidelity, Grief, and Alcohol
fluture's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
A pretty enjoyable book to read. Don't expect a sudden urge to manifest character development after reading it but for someone who is currently struggling with self-trust in a fast paced community with greedy standard, this book does help in widening my vision to change my value in life to be a lot more simple and take the first little step to start doing what I want instead of what the society want. On the other hand, the lifestyle, standard, and examples that were written in this book legit screams an American perspective which is not recommended for those who still think in conventional way.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Mass/school shootings, and Alcohol
damiscous's review against another edition
inspiring
fast-paced
2.5
I came very close to just not finishing this book, but, I bought it, so I felt obligated to finish it.
Somewhere around 40% through, it just didn't seem to be as interesting. By then, the novelty of cussing in a self-help book wore off, and it was harder to pay attention to the ranting. One thing though: the author does make excellent use of anecdotes, save for theRomeo and Juliet one, though the work would also largely benefit from not just saying X and Y happened, but maybe showing some data or citations or anything to add credibility. Some of the jokes are distasteful - I know, dark humor, but it's not even very funny. Dark humor is supposed to funny. Some of the things written felt more like they were added for shock value, and it largely took away from the experience.
I must say, the final chapter did really wrap up nicely. Not because it was almost over, but because the author wrote about the topic in a way that one could tell was highly personal and with depth. Though the final chapter didn't make up for the other 40% that didn't land well with me, it was a somewhat satisfying end to the book.
Overall, I wouldn't reread or recommend this book, personally. Despite the hype and recommendations I received in regards to this book, it didn't live up to it.
Somewhere around 40% through, it just didn't seem to be as interesting. By then, the novelty of cussing in a self-help book wore off, and it was harder to pay attention to the ranting. One thing though: the author does make excellent use of anecdotes, save for the
I must say, the final chapter did really wrap up nicely. Not because it was almost over, but because the author wrote about the topic in a way that one could tell was highly personal and with depth. Though the final chapter didn't make up for the other 40% that didn't land well with me, it was a somewhat satisfying end to the book.
Overall, I wouldn't reread or recommend this book, personally. Despite the hype and recommendations I received in regards to this book, it didn't live up to it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Death
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mass/school shootings
Minor: Child death, Domestic abuse, and Gun violence
ashleycmms's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Infidelity, Mental illness, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Minor: Cancer, Child death, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
rochellefh's review against another edition
fast-paced
3.0
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck is a self-help book with philosophical and psychological aspects, about finding yourself and what matters to you. Unfortunately, if I'm being honest (which I am), it just seemed like the author was bouncing between showing off his life and pitying himself the majority of the chapters.
The tone of the book was very arrogant and condescending in a holier-than-thou, "I know more than you" way. Also, many sections of the book are just low-level explanations or rephrasings of spiritual and self-help concepts that already exist and have for a while. The only good thing I can say about the book is that it is written well, and since it's so short it can be read in very few hours. Still, I don't recommend this book.
Ratings: Writing 4.5⭐️, Themes 3 ⭐️, Originality 0⭐️
Was it engaging? Yes, very.
Was it insightful? Not in the slightest.
How was the pacing? Fast
Would I reread it? Never
The tone of the book was very arrogant and condescending in a holier-than-thou, "I know more than you" way. Also, many sections of the book are just low-level explanations or rephrasings of spiritual and self-help concepts that already exist and have for a while. The only good thing I can say about the book is that it is written well, and since it's so short it can be read in very few hours. Still, I don't recommend this book.
Ratings: Writing 4.5⭐️, Themes 3 ⭐️, Originality 0⭐️
Was it engaging? Yes, very.
Was it insightful? Not in the slightest.
How was the pacing? Fast
Would I reread it? Never
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Death
Minor: Infidelity and Sexual assault
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