Scan barcode
poseidon9697's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5
marina_dal's review against another edition
3.0
Solid three stars for 1. an engaging listen (Neil is nothing if not a great storyteller), 2. honest: there ar meant points where he could’ve painted himself in a better light and he did not, which I appreciated, and 3. centering the importance of trauma and healing from trauma in forming a health relationship. While I wish the book had spent just a bit more time exploring healthy relating, and a bit less time on detailing the author’s sexcapades (it read like erotica at times), I get that the stories are what’s engaging and what many many folks will connect with. If that’s what it takes for the message to land, so be it!
iabouzied's review against another edition
5.0
*This book is very graphic*
Wow, this book was just phenomenal.
While much of the book follows Strauss's excursions into exploring non-monogamy, it is ultimately about how unacknowledged childhood traumas prevent intimacy.
Strauss believes monogamy to be a broken system, restricting freedom and demonizing our most basic desires. After jumping around from non-monogamous relationship style to the next, he realizes that it is not the system that is broken, its him. Sex was his coping mechanism for trying to receive the love he was never given as a child. He is forced to confront his past and heal his childhood wounds.
Made my must-read list.
Wow, this book was just phenomenal.
While much of the book follows Strauss's excursions into exploring non-monogamy, it is ultimately about how unacknowledged childhood traumas prevent intimacy.
Strauss believes monogamy to be a broken system, restricting freedom and demonizing our most basic desires. After jumping around from non-monogamous relationship style to the next, he realizes that it is not the system that is broken, its him. Sex was his coping mechanism for trying to receive the love he was never given as a child. He is forced to confront his past and heal his childhood wounds.
Made my must-read list.
kitty_kat21's review against another edition
4.0
Originally posted here
I had read the author's earlier book, The Game prior this year and I was equal parts morbidly fascinated and disgusted. I am so glad I read The Truth as it is an inspiring sequel and really closes a chapter in the author's life that began in his previous book. I don't think that The Game needs to be read first though by any means, The Truth works great as a standalone.
Where to start with this fascinating journalistic-style memoir focusing on one man's journey exploring sex addiction, rehab, non-monogamy and ultimately finding his inner self. It certainly is extremely uncomfortable to read at points and absolutely hilarious at the same time. I just cannot believe that Neil Strauss went through it all, it seems like far too much for any one person to handle.
Neil starts the book in rehab for sex addiction as he has just cheated on the love of his life, Ingrid. Neil doesn't take rehab very seriously at first and reluctantly tries his hardest to engage but ultimately he decides that monogamy can't be natural (as he finds it just too difficult) and he wants to explore non-monogamous relationships. The story unfolds from there and I really felt like I was experiencing Neil's journey alongside him as he went from one crazy situation to the next. It was just brilliant.
Near the last third of the book, the real inspiring soul searching begins and I was so emotionally invested in Neil and Ingrid that I just enjoyed every word. There is plenty of interesting things that are discussed such as alternative relationship styles, therapeutic techniques, psychology, spirituality - it was a very insightful read.
I would highly recommend The Truth to everyone, I found it funny, inspiring and it is the perfect book to read after reading toxic books such as The Game that explores the 'pick-up artist' culture.
twerkingtobeethoven's review against another edition
3.0
Yeah, well, this was ok-ish but not as good as I was expecting it to be. The first part was excellent, what followed was just boring. Also, Rick Rubin is a pretentious, pompous, overblown, obnoxious twat, and he's all over the book. Fuck him.
That said, I loved Neil Strauss's biographies - [b:The Long Hard Road Out of Hell|37847|The Long Hard Road Out of Hell|Marilyn Manson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1386924321s/37847.jpg|37641], [b:The Dirt: Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band|25378|The Dirt Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band|Tommy Lee|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388184697s/25378.jpg|26119], [b:How to Make Love Like a Porn Star: A Cautionary Tale|7252|How to Make Love Like a Porn Star A Cautionary Tale|Jenna Jameson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1386924879s/7252.jpg|10385] - as well as his nonfinction. I really enjoyed both [b:The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists|900|The Game Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists|Neil Strauss|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1410129471s/900.jpg|387] and [b:Emergency: This Book Will Save Your Life|5507552|Emergency This Book Will Save Your Life|Neil Strauss|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1410134439s/5507552.jpg|5607536], but "The Truth" just fell short of my expectations.
2.5 stars. Sorry. I mean, I really am.
That said, I loved Neil Strauss's biographies - [b:The Long Hard Road Out of Hell|37847|The Long Hard Road Out of Hell|Marilyn Manson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1386924321s/37847.jpg|37641], [b:The Dirt: Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band|25378|The Dirt Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band|Tommy Lee|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388184697s/25378.jpg|26119], [b:How to Make Love Like a Porn Star: A Cautionary Tale|7252|How to Make Love Like a Porn Star A Cautionary Tale|Jenna Jameson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1386924879s/7252.jpg|10385] - as well as his nonfinction. I really enjoyed both [b:The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists|900|The Game Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists|Neil Strauss|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1410129471s/900.jpg|387] and [b:Emergency: This Book Will Save Your Life|5507552|Emergency This Book Will Save Your Life|Neil Strauss|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1410134439s/5507552.jpg|5607536], but "The Truth" just fell short of my expectations.
2.5 stars. Sorry. I mean, I really am.
brielorraine's review against another edition
5.0
Neil is the most honest, straightforward story teller ive ever read. His ability to remain brutally honest with his audience kept me captivated even during the parts when I felt a bit uneasy about where he was going. Honestly, I am just super happy for him and feel fortunate that he invited all of us along his messy journey to find love in all the wrong places
simonmee's review against another edition
1.0
A dishevelled man sits on a park bench by you. He’s clearly had a rough life.
"The stories I could tell" he murmurs, "of a life destroyed by my addiction to cigarettes"
"What, a pack a day can do that?" you ask, since he seems to be seeking your prompt.
"Five packs a day, more like. Let me show you what it does"
Well, you think, this sounds intriguing.
He pulls out a pack, peels off the plastic, shakily pries open the cover...
...then empties the entire contents into his mouth, swallowing them like a duck.
Neil Strauss wants to tell you "The Truth" about "relationships". But this is a book of hidden meanings.
"The Truth" means his truth.
"Relationships" means sex.
"His truth about sex" means, well...
If the guys could carry me on their shoulders, they would.
“Truth”
Look, yeah, this is a book about narcissism and if you want to read about a guy who everybody clapped for, the most out-of-control sex addict in the room, and who smirkingly refers to the relief at being de-centered by his harem, then by all means read this, or [b:The Wolf of Wall Street|522776|The Wolf of Wall Street (The Wolf of Wall Street, #1)|Jordan Belfort|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320489812l/522776._SY75_.jpg|2712410]. Any patina of self-humiliation the book claims to show is buried under whatever is left of his crippled mother from being hit by the bus Strauss threw her under.
"this is one of the most narcissistic mothers I've ever come across"
The Truth is billed as a story of self-discovery, backed up by the scientific method of quote mining a few books and sympathetic experts to support whatever ever-evolving position that particular chapter demands. The reality is that it is a collection of articles whose connective tissue is whatever Neil Strauss deems Rick Rubin should say. Strauss expressly disclaims that his book is a journalistic endeavour, so please do not trust any word out his mouth... ...or anyone else's mouth... ...any reference to anyone else's journals... ...or any cartoons Strauss throws in when he runs out of space and needs to zoom through what should have been some major plot points.
Anyway, Strauss and his life-partner bury a toy elephant and get married, so everything ends up all sorted. No need to investigate further how that has gone.
“Sex”
This is a book about sex-addiction, even if it might not exist; is not really Strauss’ issue; nor relates to relationships. So, we need to understand sex right? Strauss understands that. He doesn’t linger on cleaning schedules, communication in a relationship or what attracts you to a person other than a banging rack. Being with someone means having sex, as his musings set out:
4. The sex gets old over time
5. So does she
Strauss is a cool dude cursed too much sex. You know, the thing with the… …um… hissing sound.
If you don’t want to be addicted to sex, read this book. If you don’t want to feel like ever having sex again, read this book. It’s at your option to be charitable and credit Strauss for showing the unrewarding nature of addiction but, at best, he overshoots the mark and leaves you wondering how our species managed to continue to reproduce.
The Truth is a calculated book of sexually extreme situations. You can revel in them or not. But if you choose a bunch of them, and they keep sucking for dull reasons, then your narrative also gets dull. Wow, Pornhub sucks; wow, polyamory sucks; wow, swinging sucks; wow, having a harem sucks. It is all just variations on the same theme. Comments by therapists and friends (or at least what Strauss writes they said) are not the revelations they are presented in the book. Instead, they serve as nothing more than waypoints guiding Strauss onto the next unrewarding situation.
"You have the biggest heart of anyone I know."
If you think Strauss is everything he believes he is then maybe you can glean something from The Truth. Otherwise, got outside and smoke a cigarette.