Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
Such an interesting book. Was uncomfortable at time though
You’ll either love or hate this. I’ve always been a huge fan of Neil Strauss’ writing style and topics - sex, drugs, and music littered with terse truth bombs throughout a really satisfying narrative. Some might get annoyed at the self absorption, but I’ve always thought of Strauss as a writers writer - and if you’re a writer you’ll probably like things since we are all a little self absorbed (;
This book is the literary equivalent of therapy theater. I read it in hopes of learning about what makes successful relationships and instead got pages of self-indulgent sexual exploration. Yes, there were nuggets of wisdom interspersed throughout the book but nothing that isn't already obvious to most people who've ever thought about how to be in healthy relationships.
Tricky one, this. Strauss is a really, really good writer, and he's especially good at taking the reader by the hand, showing them the lifestyles of the rich and/or famous and saying "look how badly these people are behaving. Disgusting! ... Don't you wish you could do that too...?", and memorably in The Game, "look how badly I'm behaving, don't do this, it's really douche-y, but here's how".
In this book, he's finally realized that there's something wrong with him and his attitude to sex. The problem is, per his formula for a successful book, he needs to show us bad behavior - so instead of just reforming, he whines his way through orgies, bacchanals, threesomes, harems and open relationships for several hundred pages, before coming full circle and trying to fix himself.
The redeeming quality of the book is that while whiny, and often incredibly California touchy-feely "it's your mother's fault"-y, there is a kernel of sincerity and, sometimes, wisdom amongst all the sex and schmaltz. Oh, and of course, Strauss is still a very good, very funny writer.
Tentatively recommended, but avoid if your tolerance for therapy-speak is low.
In this book, he's finally realized that there's something wrong with him and his attitude to sex. The problem is, per his formula for a successful book, he needs to show us bad behavior - so instead of just reforming, he whines his way through orgies, bacchanals, threesomes, harems and open relationships for several hundred pages, before coming full circle and trying to fix himself.
The redeeming quality of the book is that while whiny, and often incredibly California touchy-feely "it's your mother's fault"-y, there is a kernel of sincerity and, sometimes, wisdom amongst all the sex and schmaltz. Oh, and of course, Strauss is still a very good, very funny writer.
Tentatively recommended, but avoid if your tolerance for therapy-speak is low.
Such an entertaining book! I love his candor (at times, reads like stream of consciousness as he shares the ridiculous thoughts running through his head) and relationship gems e.g. "when one person shuts down or throws a fit, the other needs to stay in the adult ego state. If both people descend to the wounded child or adapted adolescent, that’s when all the forces of relationship drama and destruction are unleashed". Slight drag through the swinger parties / foursomes / communes, but cool to learn about alternative lifestyles.
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Not Bad, but only really liked the ending but overall a nice read
Exceptionally well book.. a must read for our generation.. a book that talk about relationships and fears and insecurities and how to overcome them...
What a book. So vulnerable. So funny. So cringy. So interesting. So thought-provoking. Incredibly well-written. Read it in 2 days, couldn't put it down. Highly recommended!
It's so rare to find a book that I binge on like it's the last food I'll ever get to taste again.
I love reading, but most books I read in a slow pace, savouring the words, taking my time to comprehend and make myself sure I am understanding the message behind the words.
This book, however, not only is easy to read, it's also incredibly addictive (just as Neil's behavior).
I'm a straight monogamous woman. I'm as predictable as it gets. Lately I've been question the nature of monogamy by observing most outcomes of monogamous relationships: they either end up with two people bored, hurt or lusting after the new.
And I definitely become to accepting that monogamy is not in our nature. We evolved to reproduce as fast and easily as possible. Infatuation occurs, settles in for a few months or years, allowing a couple to raise a child until it's old enough to go on on their own.
But, as society taught us, that's not what we expect in a developed civilization. We want the happily ever after; the long-term happiness; the unending passion feeling toward the same person; the same unshakeable sexual attraction for the same person, even after we grow old, wrinkly and saggy.
That's what Neil Strauss thought when he began this journey. And that's how I thought until I picked up this book.
Through his journey of self-discovery, which also makes the reader very uncomfortable questioning their own morality and relationship choices, we also begin to wonder about our very own ways of living love, passion, and sex. Is growing cold and distant avoidable? Is it possible to only have eyes to someone? Is it possible to live without "eating outside"?
This book asks and answers so many questions in so many different ways, though discovery, pain, lust, abandonment, chair work, therapy and sex experiences, that you are led to believe that there's only one way to truly be happy, and - SPOILER ALERT - doesn't go through living sex as the pivot that sustains relationships themselves.
I can say this book - pardon my French - fucked me up in the head. My world turned upside down. This book DOES make you uncomfortable, anxious, weary, questioning fervorously what you believe in and what values must change for you to live a happy life. Relationships are part of who we are, therefore it's only natural that we spend infinite hours pondering about it.
Do I recommend this book? There's nothing recommend more than this book. If you want to read non-fiction, this work is a must. I loved it from start to finish.
I love reading, but most books I read in a slow pace, savouring the words, taking my time to comprehend and make myself sure I am understanding the message behind the words.
This book, however, not only is easy to read, it's also incredibly addictive (just as Neil's behavior).
I'm a straight monogamous woman. I'm as predictable as it gets. Lately I've been question the nature of monogamy by observing most outcomes of monogamous relationships: they either end up with two people bored, hurt or lusting after the new.
And I definitely become to accepting that monogamy is not in our nature. We evolved to reproduce as fast and easily as possible. Infatuation occurs, settles in for a few months or years, allowing a couple to raise a child until it's old enough to go on on their own.
But, as society taught us, that's not what we expect in a developed civilization. We want the happily ever after; the long-term happiness; the unending passion feeling toward the same person; the same unshakeable sexual attraction for the same person, even after we grow old, wrinkly and saggy.
That's what Neil Strauss thought when he began this journey. And that's how I thought until I picked up this book.
Through his journey of self-discovery, which also makes the reader very uncomfortable questioning their own morality and relationship choices, we also begin to wonder about our very own ways of living love, passion, and sex. Is growing cold and distant avoidable? Is it possible to only have eyes to someone? Is it possible to live without "eating outside"?
This book asks and answers so many questions in so many different ways, though discovery, pain, lust, abandonment, chair work, therapy and sex experiences, that you are led to believe that there's only one way to truly be happy, and - SPOILER ALERT - doesn't go through living sex as the pivot that sustains relationships themselves.
I can say this book - pardon my French - fucked me up in the head. My world turned upside down. This book DOES make you uncomfortable, anxious, weary, questioning fervorously what you believe in and what values must change for you to live a happy life. Relationships are part of who we are, therefore it's only natural that we spend infinite hours pondering about it.
Do I recommend this book? There's nothing recommend more than this book. If you want to read non-fiction, this work is a must. I loved it from start to finish.