peppypenguin's review against another edition
5.0
I can see how this would be a divisive book. That being said, I loved every word of it. At the very least, whether you agree with any points or not, this is worth a read.
campbelltaral's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This is my first conscious exposure to Adlerian psychology and I'm glad it was through a fictional presentation of the ideas passed between philosopher and student. While absorbing the points made by the elder, my counter arguments were voiced by the young student. Invariably, I came around the same time as the student. I need to read it again, but I definitely recommend this book as a starting point.
jsx27's review against another edition
2.0
There's so much in The Courage to be Disliked that one can take away for navigating their own life. In particular, I found the idea that procrastination is a form of fear particularly useful. There's much to agree on here. It seems likely that focusing on the present and on meaningful contributions can make life more harmonious, for example.
However, there are some aspects of the book that have a pretentious and at times offensive tone. As someone who had mental health issues in my younger years, I honestly found this paragraph disgraceful.
"All types of problem behaviour, from refusing to attend school, to wrist-cutting, are forms of the pursuit of easy superiority. And your shut-in friend, who you told me about at the beginning, is engaging in it, too. He wants to be a special being, and the form that attention takes doesn’t matter."
The dismissive atittude towards 'trauma' early in the book also is really alarming in how it generalises and simplifies people's experiences.
However, there are some aspects of the book that have a pretentious and at times offensive tone. As someone who had mental health issues in my younger years, I honestly found this paragraph disgraceful.
"All types of problem behaviour, from refusing to attend school, to wrist-cutting, are forms of the pursuit of easy superiority. And your shut-in friend, who you told me about at the beginning, is engaging in it, too. He wants to be a special being, and the form that attention takes doesn’t matter."
The dismissive atittude towards 'trauma' early in the book also is really alarming in how it generalises and simplifies people's experiences.
fab_panda's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely thought provoking. Although I don't agree with everything propounded, the book did give me a few ideas that I can put into practice for a healthier mind.
Not a fan of the writing style though (the Socratic method of dialogue between the youth and the philosopher). The entire book could've been shortened if they'd ditched this style, and I would've appreciated that. Getting through this took much longer than it should have.
Not a fan of the writing style though (the Socratic method of dialogue between the youth and the philosopher). The entire book could've been shortened if they'd ditched this style, and I would've appreciated that. Getting through this took much longer than it should have.
readingdistracted's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
thatpine's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
3.75
Some interesting points, some not so great ones.