Reviews

Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Francesc Miralles, Héctor García Puigcerver

amccauley1's review against another edition

informative fast-paced

2.5

larissabee's review

informative medium-paced

2.0

hollygmeier's review

informative inspiring fast-paced

2.0

Had some good broad information/advice that could just be summarized in a few bullet points. A lot of it felt like pseudoscience fluff. 

ikoperiko's review

informative inspiring reflective relaxing fast-paced

5.0

salthouseem's review

informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.5

djamseed's review

informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

auspiciousdonut's review

hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

3.5

reader_073's review

informative medium-paced

3.0

notjazzmine's review

hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

5.0

shrvn_k's review against another edition

1.0

The author wants you to believe that the Japanese have figured out the secret to the most perfect life there is. And that this book is going to tell you what it is and how you can find it. In reality, it's none of that.

The books is a hodgepodge of random ideas and teaching, mostly from Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning." The author includes the occasional interview with old Japanese people. Their responses are as vague and unhelpful.

"I just haven’t died yet." Really?

There's no real flow to the content and it's very hard to draw any concrete ideas from it.

Did I mention there's an entire chapter of yoga instructions. With pictures!

You're fine just reading the last page. I'll paraphrase it here.
1. Be active
2. Don't eat too much
3. Be nice to people
4. Be nice to yourself
5. Spend time in nature
6. Don't take life too seriously

Turns out, the Japanese are normal people like you and me. Who knew!?