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flowingleaves's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Medical content, Genocide, Hate crime, War, Violence, Confinement, Grief, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
spooderman's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicide, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Antisemitism, Child death, Torture, Death, Death of parent, Genocide, Suicide attempt, War, Confinement, and Violence
Moderate: Self harm, Cancer, Eating disorder, Ableism, Toxic relationship, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Drug use
crufts's review against another edition
5.0
Man's Search For Meaning is two books in one: it's a Holocaust memoir, but also an introduction to a form of psychotherapy called logotherapy which focuses on the human desire for meaning.
Firstly, how well does it work as a Holocaust memoir? Compared to other Holocaust memoirs (Elie Wiesel's Night, Yoram Gross's My Illustrated Life, and another memoir which will remain unnamed), Man's Search comes out on top as the best one I've ever read.
It declares exactly what it is up front (unlike My Illustrated Life). It only includes details that are relevant to the overall thesis of the story (unlike the memoir-which-shall-not-be-named). It writes with hope and intention for a better humanity (unlike Night, which is a portrait of inhumanity and cruelty). Its text is not fragmented and manic prose, but simple descriptive statements (also unlike Night). And it's short and to the point (which can be considered a plus for nearly any book, but especially a Holocaust memoir).
Secondly, how well does it work as a primer for logotherapy? Pretty well. Here my comparisons are the various other psychology books I've read, but especially The Courage To Be Disliked, since that book also attempts to promote a particular school of psychotherapy. (See my review of The Courage here.)
While I would have liked to hear more about how logotherapy can be applied in practice, the theory itself appears sound. Any reader over the age of two can attest to the truth of the claim that you can bear suffering quite well as long as you feel it's for a purpose, or it otherwise has meaning. Conversely, it's when one's suffering seems meaningless that thoughts of ending it all start to circle.
And you know, whenever I've been in a truly difficult or hopeless situation, stricken with fear or dread, there was always one thing that always gave me instantaneous comfort: the knowledge that no matter what happened, I still had the power to be the best version of myself possible. Whoever (or whatever) was causing me grief, no matter what they did to me, they couldn't stop me from choosing to remain polite, kind, and moral. "Living well is the best revenge", and by living well I gained the strength to get through those difficulties. And this is exactly the claim the book makes.
These observations are in contrast to my reading of The Courage To Be Disliked, where some of its claims rang true but others rang very hollow indeed. Now I actually want to read up about logotherapy!
If other Holocaust memoirs have burned you with their relentless misery and meaningless suffering, Man's Search For Meaning may be the soothing salve you need.
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Trafficking, Violence, Physical abuse, Slavery, Genocide, Bullying, and War
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Hate crime, Confinement, Excrement, Torture, Cannibalism, and Antisemitism
This is a Holocaust memoir. If you're looking for some light reading today, this book isn't the right pick. You might also consider reading only the second part (which discusses logotherapy), although you'll miss some of the context.