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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
Every now and then, it feels crafted and performative, but for the most part, it's solid. And honest. Made me think.
Strauss is good writer and knows who to pull the reader along for over 400 pages despite the mostly foregone conclusion. This book is like gorging on candy. I have stomach ache and have no interest in reliving it. But he is a good candy maker.
This is an extremely and deeply personal book and very challenging to read due to this frankness. But if you can accept the author's direct honesty, there is a lot to learn here about being real with yourself and others.
Reads like a page-turner, and has incredible personal insight. For those seeking to understand themselves and personal relations the world over, this is highly recommended. For me it was less about types of relationships and more about personal psychology. It might change your life.
reflective
medium-paced
Really great read. Explores the spectrum of relationships and the internal work required to make any form of relationship effective and healthy.
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
The sequel to The Game wherein Neil Strauss discovers it was all a pursuit driven by a mild childhood trauma caused by the fear of trapping someone in a relationship with him, making her fundamentally miserable. This is mixed in with a fear of being trapped in a relationship by someone that is making him similarly miserable causing self destruction and commitment issues, and a lot unintentional but very real damage to the various women in his life that he felt he loved.
His pursuit of relationship freedoms leads him to fulfill every fantasy he has ever dreamed of and feels all the worse for it.
Rick Rubin appears in this book along with every podcast and non fiction book I've read this year, and I think he may be an actual demi-god in the spirituality/music industry respect. I think everyone could benefit from the motivation I received from this, simply for the introspection that was sparked throughout, and I'm more inclined to meet Rick Rubin as soon as possible.
I find it a little bit cynical that Strauss continues to promote The Game and the lifestyle therein while being convinced of the psychological disorders that would cause someone to be so deeply involved. However he never shames a relationship or lifestyle choice and suggests the pursuit of healing childhood issues before attempting to live in a Harem or whatever tickles your collective fancies. Even if you find yourself not relating its a really interesting journey and full of schadenfreude that will cause you train ride giggles.
His pursuit of relationship freedoms leads him to fulfill every fantasy he has ever dreamed of and feels all the worse for it.
Rick Rubin appears in this book along with every podcast and non fiction book I've read this year, and I think he may be an actual demi-god in the spirituality/music industry respect. I think everyone could benefit from the motivation I received from this, simply for the introspection that was sparked throughout, and I'm more inclined to meet Rick Rubin as soon as possible.
I find it a little bit cynical that Strauss continues to promote The Game and the lifestyle therein while being convinced of the psychological disorders that would cause someone to be so deeply involved. However he never shames a relationship or lifestyle choice and suggests the pursuit of healing childhood issues before attempting to live in a Harem or whatever tickles your collective fancies. Even if you find yourself not relating its a really interesting journey and full of schadenfreude that will cause you train ride giggles.
There are many things that are uncomfortable about this book but it's truthfulness isn't one of them. He comes off as a gross jerk trying to play it off by acknowledging it. And then they get married.
Journalist-cum-pick up artist reveals his lack of maturity or social tact in romantic relationships. The subjects of sex addiction, polyamory, mommy issues, alternatives to mainstream romance.
Neil is, by some reports, a clever guy in his late 40s. His life as a Hollywood pick up artist should surely have given him more experience with alternative love than the naive 'regular guy' voice in which he has written this memoir. A voice which manages to come across as both patronising (to those who attempt to assist him); and self pitying (for himself, when he just can't keep it in his pants)(Grow up or choose an alternative from these friendly people helping you: "I can't. I'm broken", oh ffs...)
I found this tone hard to believe, let alone embrace. Cringe revelations. Paper thin characters, women who always seem to light up the room with their smile, guys who are hardly described at all.
Dross.
Neil is, by some reports, a clever guy in his late 40s. His life as a Hollywood pick up artist should surely have given him more experience with alternative love than the naive 'regular guy' voice in which he has written this memoir. A voice which manages to come across as both patronising (to those who attempt to assist him); and self pitying (for himself, when he just can't keep it in his pants)(Grow up or choose an alternative from these friendly people helping you: "I can't. I'm broken", oh ffs...)
I found this tone hard to believe, let alone embrace. Cringe revelations. Paper thin characters, women who always seem to light up the room with their smile, guys who are hardly described at all.
Dross.