Reviews tagging 'Chronic illness'

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Bleep: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson

2 reviews

turtlekat23's review against another edition

challenging dark hopeful informative medium-paced

2.0

Parts of this book were excellent and parts made me consider a DNF. This is a completely godless book and as such the futility of life is glaring and depressing. I did not like the gloominess of the first part of the book. However, that set the stage for the rest of the book. I didn’t actively dislike it though I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. I appreciate the author’s reverence for human life and the hope/inspiration he tries to give, though it rings empty to me. I do love the idea that we should and do get to choose what we care about passionately and his thoughts on our society’s privilege leading to our discontent so I wouldn’t discourage a read either. I don’t want to change my thoughts to mirror those in this book but it was an interesting perspective with value, even if I don’t agree with its foundation. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Chronic illness

Minor: Drug use

While this book explores these topics, it’s not in bad ways. Well, the drug use is just part of the author’s story, but the discussion of life and death are significant to the author’s point. They aren’t gratuitous but the

description of his friend’s death and its aftermath

could be challenging to some, especially if they are in the midst of a similar situation. It could also be helpful as it ends up in a very positive place.

shetland_pone's review against another edition

funny informative reflective medium-paced

2023: Every time I reread this book I feel differently about it, to some extent. Parts of it are contradictory and I think the quality decreases as the book continues, but the first few chapters are useful. Choosing your pain, responsibility and fault being different things, accepting that being average is okay, etc. But once it gets past that point it seems like he just wants to brag about his previous sexual escapades. I guess he's trying to come across as honest, relatable, and vulnerable by writing about his past and where he felt he went wrong, but instead it just seems like he's screaming I'M FUCKABLE, I SWEAR at us all.

2022: Still an immensely useful book to me. I don't think Manson is always right, especially as it seems as if he's never experienced systemic discrimination, but I do think he has a lot of good points. Maybe one day I'll stop blocking out the bits I don't want to hear lol.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Chronic illness, Drug use, Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic friendship