My quest of Self-help books brought me this gem. I've read the prequel (The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck) around last year which was eye-opening. It gave me a lot of things to think about and to find that answers, I found myself reading this book and needless to say, this book took me on an amazing journey. It presented me with the answers that I didn't know I was looking for in the first place which was yet another mind-altering experience.
ABOUT THE BOOK
As the title of the book suggests, the book is about 'Hope' and how we as humans, try to grab onto every little thing which can provide us with hope. Mark highlights that life without hope is "cold" and a "bleak nihilism" which brings us endless suffering and indirectly force us to cling onto false narratives of hope. He points out that in order to have the light of positive hope, we first need to trust our ability to tell wrong from the right.
Mark also shed some light on how our mind and heart are always at war , how what is right according to the brain is not always what our heart wants. In this continuous battle, our mind always overpowers our emotions which we neglect under the illusion of 'self-control'. Mark guides us in this journey of how our "Thinking Brain" and "Feeling Brain" takes rein of our lives and fight for control. He discusses the need to 'feel' and understand our emotions rather then suppressing them. But at the same time, he also attempts to apprise us that, "Overindulgence of emotions can lead to crisis of hope."
He emphasizes the power of pain in our lives. "Pain leads to suffering but that suffering shapes you into who you are". As adults we come across many choices in our everyday life where we need to trade between pleasure or pain. Mark points out that, "when you barter for happiness, you destroy your happiness." Experiencing every shade of life is the key.
He wraps up the book by enunciating that although we need hope to get through life but at the end it only turns out as a temporary moment of bliss. He calls hope a 'fundamental transaction' where we are always bargaining our present action for the future which we imagine to be pleasant. He very prespicaciously burst our bubble of hope being equivalents to staying positive about life but when actually it means that we our just trying to hang onto any possible thread which gives us something that could make our actual life seem meaningful which in reality only leads to despair.
Hence, while the book does talk about hope it rather educate us on not hoping but facing the situation head on and encourages us to embrace the uncomfortable truth of life.
MY OPINION
Mark Manson has been like my personal therapist. His books feels like a session in itself where we are forced to face the deep and nasty truths of life. At times you are lost but then it hits you that the answer was right in front of you all along. I had a lot of mind-boggling realisation after reading this book which changed my outlook and have ignited acceptance for my feelings.
He has a very unique way of weaving stories and incidents of great people who were once ordinary just like everyone of us. He creates a sense of familiarity about topics that are alien to us which is easy on our minds to take in and register. His casual way of writing manages to captures attention of the readers and his satirical way of bringing things into light is praise-worthy.
His books not only guides us through the turmoil of emotions but it also attempts to find out why we experience it.
MY RATING
I would give this book a 4 out of 5 stars. Undoubtedly, I really resonate with Mark's views and this book brought a lot to the table which almost makes it a feast to the mind but at the same time, at places the book is self-contradicting which left me confused but it was a pleasant ride or should I say session. If you're interested in facing your emotions and diving deep into the truth behind 'hope' then I would recommend the book to you.
P.s. let me know your view on the book and how would you rate it.
Thankyou!
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