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acesarrows's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
If you can get past the author's incessant references to expensive high-quality leather armchairs, pashmina shawls, and cashmere throws this is a wonderful book on living life with a minimalist philosophy.
Unlike Marie Kondo style books, this is not a how-to book on folding shirts or organizing closets. This is a book on what a minimalist life philosophy looks like in practice. How do you organize your life to live in a mindful, ascetic, simple and minimalist way. It's in the way you dress, treat yourself, style your house, engage with your friends and loved ones, work, think, and immerse yourself in the wider world.
There are some great quotes sprinkled throughout this book. I certainly highlighted lots of things, however, sometimes this veered from deep, insightful truths about life to frivolous pieces of advice. From basic information on handbags (it should look like Jackie Kennedy's), house decor (see the above on leather armchairs and cashmere), and your body routine (lots of oils, baths and dry brushing), to more esoteric discussions on meditation, zen, and engaging with people in a respectful and mindful fashion. It's almost as if this book wanted to both be a self-help book on minimalism, while also being a philosophy book at the same time and decided to split the difference.
I did have a few quibbles. This seems to be a book written exclusively for women, although men could read it, I'm not sure how much they'd get out of the advice. This also seems to be advice that only wealthy people could put into practice. There are a fair number of classist assumptions here. Not only in Loreau's emphasis on waiting and spending more money on quality things (a fine thing to do if you can), but on her discussions of work (don't do it if you don't have to), children (not really mentioned at all, nor are pets), time-management, relationships and more. Basically, if you are a wealthy, single woman, you can probably put this all into practice. If you have children, a partner, pets, or generally live a messier life (as most of us do) good luck with some of this ;)
Having said all that - I really loved some of what she had to say, and how she framed minimalism as a life philosophy that isn't just about things, but also about how you approach the world. Part I, chapter 2: In Praise of Minimalism, and Part III:Mind, were both the sections I would suggest if you'd like to read more on that. I also really appreciated her discussion of making time for yourself - after all, if you're not taking care of yourself, how will you take care of others? That's something many women ignore in favour of taking care of others - and being reminded of that is only a good thing. But, putting some of her self-care into practice may take more time than people are able (not willing, but able) to spend.
Overall - I liked this book. There are some great life gems sprinkled throughout. Just take some of her other advice with a grain of salt ;)
"Do not abandon your dreams, or close your mind to mystery. To be happy, live simply."
If you can get past the author's incessant references to expensive high-quality leather armchairs, pashmina shawls, and cashmere throws this is a wonderful book on living life with a minimalist philosophy.
Unlike Marie Kondo style books, this is not a how-to book on folding shirts or organizing closets. This is a book on what a minimalist life philosophy looks like in practice. How do you organize your life to live in a mindful, ascetic, simple and minimalist way. It's in the way you dress, treat yourself, style your house, engage with your friends and loved ones, work, think, and immerse yourself in the wider world.
There are some great quotes sprinkled throughout this book. I certainly highlighted lots of things, however, sometimes this veered from deep, insightful truths about life to frivolous pieces of advice. From basic information on handbags (it should look like Jackie Kennedy's), house decor (see the above on leather armchairs and cashmere), and your body routine (lots of oils, baths and dry brushing), to more esoteric discussions on meditation, zen, and engaging with people in a respectful and mindful fashion. It's almost as if this book wanted to both be a self-help book on minimalism, while also being a philosophy book at the same time and decided to split the difference.
I did have a few quibbles. This seems to be a book written exclusively for women, although men could read it, I'm not sure how much they'd get out of the advice. This also seems to be advice that only wealthy people could put into practice. There are a fair number of classist assumptions here. Not only in Loreau's emphasis on waiting and spending more money on quality things (a fine thing to do if you can), but on her discussions of work (don't do it if you don't have to), children (not really mentioned at all, nor are pets), time-management, relationships and more. Basically, if you are a wealthy, single woman, you can probably put this all into practice. If you have children, a partner, pets, or generally live a messier life (as most of us do) good luck with some of this ;)
Having said all that - I really loved some of what she had to say, and how she framed minimalism as a life philosophy that isn't just about things, but also about how you approach the world. Part I, chapter 2: In Praise of Minimalism, and Part III:Mind, were both the sections I would suggest if you'd like to read more on that. I also really appreciated her discussion of making time for yourself - after all, if you're not taking care of yourself, how will you take care of others? That's something many women ignore in favour of taking care of others - and being reminded of that is only a good thing. But, putting some of her self-care into practice may take more time than people are able (not willing, but able) to spend.
Overall - I liked this book. There are some great life gems sprinkled throughout. Just take some of her other advice with a grain of salt ;)
"Do not abandon your dreams, or close your mind to mystery. To be happy, live simply."
astrireads's review against another edition
2.0
It was not as good as I thought it would be. However, there are still some great takeaways that could be applied in real life.
elinakmn's review against another edition
It was terribly written and I couldn't handle the underlying tones of classism
z0diackiller's review against another edition
3.0
Full of contradictions. Caffeine and alcohol are terrible, but enjoy some champagne and have some instant coffee once in a while. Try fasting, but also eat 6 small meals a day. Be yourself, but also stop talking so much.
meppell's review against another edition
1.0
No. I didn’t enjoy it from the beginning but I pushed myself to keep going. I finally gave up half way through. Terrible.
thebookclubmks's review against another edition
Buku tipis tentang gaya hidup minimalis yang sangat mudah dicerna dengan berbagai masukan yang dekat dengan aktivitas sehari-hari. Ditengah perkembangan gaya hidup masa kini yang serba cepat, kompleks dan berlebihan.
Buku 256 halaman ini secara subtil menautkan pola hidup dan pikir minimalis dengan pelbagai kebudayaan di seluruh dunia, khususnya Jepang. Keterbatasan informasi dan opsi yang semula jadi kendala kini teratasi dengan, revolusi informasi melalui media sosial dan portal berita yang serba terkini. Namun kondisi ini menggeret masalah baru, yaitu terlampau banyak hal yang harus diberikan atensi dan tentunya menyita waktu.
Buku dengan bahasa sederhana ini cocok bagi orang yang merasa kewalahan dalam segala hal setiap waktu. Kebanjiran opsi dan informasi rasanya hal yang harus disikapi agar tenaga dan raga tidak timpas. Pas juga bagi kalian yang ingin menggusur status quo yang membosankan demi hidup lebih bermakna.
Siap-siap bungah setelah membaca dan mengamalkan masukan buku ini. Tentu layak mendapat sejumput waktu baca anda.
*Review by Irsan Ramzee
Buku 256 halaman ini secara subtil menautkan pola hidup dan pikir minimalis dengan pelbagai kebudayaan di seluruh dunia, khususnya Jepang. Keterbatasan informasi dan opsi yang semula jadi kendala kini teratasi dengan, revolusi informasi melalui media sosial dan portal berita yang serba terkini. Namun kondisi ini menggeret masalah baru, yaitu terlampau banyak hal yang harus diberikan atensi dan tentunya menyita waktu.
Buku dengan bahasa sederhana ini cocok bagi orang yang merasa kewalahan dalam segala hal setiap waktu. Kebanjiran opsi dan informasi rasanya hal yang harus disikapi agar tenaga dan raga tidak timpas. Pas juga bagi kalian yang ingin menggusur status quo yang membosankan demi hidup lebih bermakna.
Siap-siap bungah setelah membaca dan mengamalkan masukan buku ini. Tentu layak mendapat sejumput waktu baca anda.
*Review by Irsan Ramzee
ioana_cis's review against another edition
5.0
Really good and simple principles shared by Dominique.
encima's review
2.0
Some great advice mixed between page filling rubbish and a world view I question. Telling people to do more activities or exactly what should be owned, saying that homeless women doing exercise is still admirable seems odd; why not not admire them and help that culture change to remove homelessness. Quite disappointing