I don't understand why someone could felt “tricked” and why people are finding such and odd review helpful: it isn't. You can dislike this book (like some of my friends) and argue with a simple and irrefutable argument: it's not my style. But this whole "trick" thing... that's just not the case. There's no trick here and I believe that's part of the whole point thru both this book and the previous one and that's one of the main the reason I engaged with the ideas shared on both Subtle Art and EiF. Keep in mind can have a “test drive” of Manson's prose on his website where you can easily find out if his style appeals to you or not since there's enough free (and very useful) content. That's it, is that simple. That's how I discovered the author and that's why I preordered TSA and EiF: his reasoning resonated with me and I felt it was practical, helpful and clear. So... either you like it (flexible, dynamic, witty, grounded, funny, accesible, current, relevant, easy to understand) or you don't because you are looking for, let's say, a more serious or academic approach (fair enough).
Keep in mind: Mark is clearly not pretending to be anything else than "a random guy writing his own thoughts", that's the whole point because... must of us are, precisely, random girls and random guys trying to sort out our own thoughts in the middle of what we can agree to call “the digital crisis” (yes the world is overall better as stated by lots of respected authors with clear data but at the same time people are lonelier and sadder than ever, also verifiable with serious research). So, he might be a random guy but he finds a way to clearly sort out this mess (book one focused on how working in our values can change our perception of life and our relationship with others, book two explaining the relevance of hope in order to find meaning and drive for our life and for the future of humanity) by using clear examples that are easy to follow regardless of how complex the matter is. Because it is a complex matter.
I understand quoting Bukowski might give you a wrong impression but I have always loved this line: “An intellectual says a simple thing in a hard way. An artist says a hard thing in a simple way.” Artist might sound as a pretentious word and I'm pretty sure Manson won't feel comfortable with it but he does manage to explain hard things on a simple way going from down to earth examples like the story of Dave Mustaine and Metallica (book 1) to complex and beautiful stories like the one of Meta von Salis and Nietzsche (book 2). He keeps you engaged and entertained while you are thinking on some heavy stuff. Take for example Mr. PeanutButter in Bojack Horseman, famous for his quote: "The universe is a cruel, uncaring void. The key to being happy isn't a search for meaning; it's to just keep yourself busy with unimportant nonsense and eventually, you'll be dead". If you find that phrase both funny and unsettling you are going to really, really enjoy both books.
Regarding this book in particular I do feel that it is important to state that it is more “complex“ and less immediate than The Subtle Art. This is not to say that it's a hard read, it isn't. Its just that it does take matters to a next logical follow-up step, going from how to improve our own life (book 1) to how to try and help improve our species (book 2). Again, not in a pretentious way. And again, if your approach to life is cynicism or nihilism you might find a hard time enjoying the ride because it does suggest you to change for the better. For you. For your people. And yes, for our future. And that takes some healing, and healing is not easy. So you'll rather “just keep yourself busy with unimportant nonsense and eventually, you'll be dead“. But, If you do decide to take responsibility you'll come to accept (it won't be smooth) that change (inside and outside) also takes a leap of faith, it takes... hope. ;)
That's the point of this second book. In order to improve/heal/ we must understand how "hope" and the use of that word has been really relevant thru the whole history of humanity. Where do we take it from there and how can we have a better, more compassionate and productive conversation with each other? Well... that's that's the point of EIF. And yes, it has a lot to do with coming to terms with death, with maturity (oh, the challenge), and again, values.
And Kant. “Instead, he decided that the only logical way to improve the world is through improving ourselves—by growing up and becoming more virtuous—by making the simple decision, in each moment, to treat ourselves and others as ends, and never merely as means”. Like hell he did. And you can find out how to follow his steps in this pertinent relevant urgent and much appreciated book. But as always, it's up to you, cause “we don’t always control what happens to us. But we always control how we interpret what happens to us, as well as how we respond”. Manson channeling the great Frankl. Oh, I love it, never felt less tricked in my life. ;)
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card
All 2 for you in this series
See full series
More like Everything Is F*cked: A Book About Hope (The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck (2 Book Series))
Page 1 of 1Start overPage 1 of 1
Loading...
Popular Highlights in this book
To build and maintain hope, we need three things: a sense of control, a belief in the value of something, and a community.Highlighted by 9,943 Kindle readers- The Feeling Brain drives our Consciousness Car because, ultimately, we are moved to action only by emotion.Highlighted by 6,269 Kindle readers
- “I have tried to live my life such that in the hour of my death I would feel joy rather than fear.”Highlighted by 4,919 Kindle readers
From the Publisher
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck | Everything Is F*cked | The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck Journal | |
| Customer Reviews |
145,060
|
12,434
|
743
|
| Price | $15.10 | $8.92 | $11.87 |
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Reviews with images
... better than the previous one
Funny how I submitted a review earlier today on this book and it got rejected because I mentioned the name of Marks previous book which I purchased from Amazon!Anyways, I didn’t lose hope in Mark, i actually didnt like his first book as much as everyone close to me liked it. But this book is well written, the style is the same but seems like mark spent more time writting and researching content in this book.I like when he talked about thinking vs feeling brain along with AI.Again, both his books are truly over hyped I'm not sure how he's doing that but good for him
