chrxiao's review against another edition
4.0
george saunders can write a hook. kinda wished the end had the same punchy showing as the beginning, but a commencement speech isn't a commencement speech without leaning cheesy and trite. the illustration that grows through the course of the book is beautiful and perfectly captures the speech.
interested in this takeaway of kindness being The Thing that saunders emphasizes as his big regret, in the context of his work. i've only read tenth of december by him (short stories) so i wouldn't say i know him well as a writer, but this new knowledge does layer his existing work in interesting ways.
interested in this takeaway of kindness being The Thing that saunders emphasizes as his big regret, in the context of his work. i've only read tenth of december by him (short stories) so i wouldn't say i know him well as a writer, but this new knowledge does layer his existing work in interesting ways.
rodica_b's review against another edition
5.0
This is not really a book, as is it’s not long enough to constitute a “proper” one. More like a very short essay full of very wise words. Worth reading and rereading, for when your memory is playing games with you and needs to be reminded of the important things in life.
senordustin's review against another edition
4.0
OK, nothing to original but that's five minutes well spent.
lindakay99's review against another edition
5.0
"What I regret most in my life are failures of kindness. Those moments when another human being was there, in front of me, suffering and I responded...sensibly. Reservedly. Mildly."
shighley's review against another edition
3.0
Nice message, and one that I think might actually "stick" with graduates. I don't know that I would give as a graduation gift, though, with the speech available online.
bunburyist's review against another edition
4.0
"Do those things that incline you toward the big questions, and avoid the things that would reduce you and make you trivial."
braxton_beckham's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
This is a lovely little book. As someone who has just graduated themselves, I think this presents some good ideas to think about as you go into the next phase of your life. Is it a little simplistic? Absolutely. But I think that's the point. I for one also subscribe to the idea that the grand meanings of life are not a complex enigma but an obvious, yet difficult to engrain, practice. Life does continue on and on, and if you keep putting things off for when everything else is done, then it will never happen. If there's one thing I feel like I'm learning in this season it's: don't wait. Do the things, make the changes, be the person you aspire to be right now. Because now is all you've got.
tigermuffin's review against another edition
5.0
Quickie read; inspirational necessary message. When I re-read this book it gets ever better.
We just finished this tiny book in our literacy book club and we ran over 15 minutes, they absolutely loved talking on this.
We just finished this tiny book in our literacy book club and we ran over 15 minutes, they absolutely loved talking on this.