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1.39k reviews for:
The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture
Daniel Maté, Gabor Maté
4.2 AVERAGE
1.39k reviews for:
The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture
Daniel Maté, Gabor Maté
4.2 AVERAGE
A must-read for people raised in a westernized world.
inspiring
slow-paced
points for the latter half of the book which becomes more interesting critiques on western medicine, general society and spirituality.
the first half is repeatedly “if you think positively you CAN cure your ulcerative colitis”. I understand the sentiment but its written in a strange way without much nuance for people who thought positively and still died.
also this book is HUGE im glad im not lugging a brick around anymore
the first half is repeatedly “if you think positively you CAN cure your ulcerative colitis”. I understand the sentiment but its written in a strange way without much nuance for people who thought positively and still died.
also this book is HUGE im glad im not lugging a brick around anymore
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
A dream to read. Puts words to what most of us already feel and know inside.
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I enjoyed all of Gabor’s perspectives and observations in the book, and appreciate how encompassing the issues and conditions are that he discusses. I took issue with some of his thoughts on mental illness, as he appeared to be making vast generalizations that trauma would not specifically account for. I wish he included more of his insights - especially in the fourth section - earlier on instead of saying he would discuss later as it made some of the anecdotes he was telling seem sensational. Overall, I thought this was a really well done book.
informative
medium-paced
Nothing about these topics are simple and yet Mate presents his research and experience in a manner that is compelling, logical, and digestible. There are numerous bookmarks I plan to revisit for further pondering as well as a few sections to return to after I’ve finished marinating on it. The book definitely packs an emotional and intellectual punch!
A note on the narration: I found the audiobook’s narration smooth and easy to listen to, a thoughtful companion on my morning walks. The narrator is Mate’s son and the co-author, who has a very pleasant tone. However, I found the accents used for various nationalities and celebrities strange, like the imitations reduced the seriousness of the matter. That is my one qualm about the audiobook otherwise I highly recommend it.
A note on the narration: I found the audiobook’s narration smooth and easy to listen to, a thoughtful companion on my morning walks. The narrator is Mate’s son and the co-author, who has a very pleasant tone. However, I found the accents used for various nationalities and celebrities strange, like the imitations reduced the seriousness of the matter. That is my one qualm about the audiobook otherwise I highly recommend it.
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
I don't have a specific reason why I wasn't wow-ed by this book. One reason is the scope was too wide for me. The point of this book seemed to be more bredth than depth, but that often led me to moments where I felt like I didn't get the full story, just the headline. It also kind of lost me at the end with the psychedelics. The last couple of chapters felt like a division from the very data driven first 90%.
I think there were some very interesting conversations about how inextricably linked health and society are. However, I just never really felt in loved with this book.
I think there were some very interesting conversations about how inextricably linked health and society are. However, I just never really felt in loved with this book.
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I tried, I REALLY tried to get through this book. It's painfully obvious that it is written for the neurotypical reader/listener. The author insists that they mean no disrespect or understands the weight of living in the world we live in, but then fills the pages with guilt and shame, driving home the point, over and over again, how we are to somehow unshackles ourselves and our children from societal norms and expectations or risk forever being miserable. I'm just done with it.