Scan barcode
zoe_abbott's review
4.0
Reading this felt like I was having a week long, wine in hand, wonderful and deep conversation with Susan.
Reading some of the reviews from others and my immediate response is “that’s harsh”. Cain is not attempting to write an academic paper or actually ANSWER the deep meaning to the questions raised. She’s playfully and poetically exploring the realms of bitter and sweet. What happens when those two seemly opposing thoughts, behaviours, feelings, histories co-exist. Don’t take what’s being said so seriously.
I loved how she explored a mixture of how someone’s natural temperament leads them to appreciate and approach things differently. Then how history and literal genetics play a part in trauma and wellbeing.
By the end I was well and truly satisfied and a little exhausted.
I respect Susan’s many references to Leonard Cohen and the parts about holocaust survivors, truthfully that felt a little unnecessary.
Overall I enjoy her style of writing, it’s informative and conversational, yet very poetic in moments. I’m interested to read more & also watch more of her content.
Reading some of the reviews from others and my immediate response is “that’s harsh”. Cain is not attempting to write an academic paper or actually ANSWER the deep meaning to the questions raised. She’s playfully and poetically exploring the realms of bitter and sweet. What happens when those two seemly opposing thoughts, behaviours, feelings, histories co-exist. Don’t take what’s being said so seriously.
I loved how she explored a mixture of how someone’s natural temperament leads them to appreciate and approach things differently. Then how history and literal genetics play a part in trauma and wellbeing.
By the end I was well and truly satisfied and a little exhausted.
I respect Susan’s many references to Leonard Cohen and the parts about holocaust survivors, truthfully that felt a little unnecessary.
Overall I enjoy her style of writing, it’s informative and conversational, yet very poetic in moments. I’m interested to read more & also watch more of her content.
c8_19's review
medium-paced
2.0
1. You cannot quote C.S. Lewis multiple times, say he wrote about how humans long for "something," and pretend like you don't know what he's specifically talking about.
2. Everything that was said in this book was in the first chapter or two. Everything else felt like repetition.
3. Was this picked for Oprah's book club because Oprah herself is references in an inspiring way within these pages? If so...never mind, not gonna go into that...
2. Everything that was said in this book was in the first chapter or two. Everything else felt like repetition.
3. Was this picked for Oprah's book club because Oprah herself is references in an inspiring way within these pages? If so...never mind, not gonna go into that...
denisemastenbrook's review
3.0
Rounding up from a 2.5
Quiet was one of my favorite books the year it was published and I went into this one expecting to repeat the experience. I guess not enjoying it quite as much and having fond memories of Quiet while being slightly disappointed in Bittersweet was on theme?
Quiet was one of my favorite books the year it was published and I went into this one expecting to repeat the experience. I guess not enjoying it quite as much and having fond memories of Quiet while being slightly disappointed in Bittersweet was on theme?
jerbil's review
5.0
Cain does such a great job at picking topics to research and write about, and making them relatable and interesting to masses.
The ending chapters were some of the best I’ve read in non-fiction. Getting to read about the perspectives and thoughts on trans-generational trauma was a really touching and personally motivating section for me.
The ending chapters were some of the best I’ve read in non-fiction. Getting to read about the perspectives and thoughts on trans-generational trauma was a really touching and personally motivating section for me.
freckleduck's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I absolutely loved this book. As someone who has an attachment to the melancholic, I really loved the topic. The execution of the book is fantastic and I loved it completely.
kstanpadg's review
4.0
“It can also feel impossible to accept that the love you long for will not return in the form you first longed for it.”
“safety holds hands with fear; innovation holds hands with failure; collaboration holds hands with conflict; and inclusion holds hands with difference.”
“how should we live, knowing we and everyone we love will die?” realest question ever
i read and annotated this book for my mom. it’s so hard for me to read long nonfiction books like this and i did skim some of it but i really liked it overall
“safety holds hands with fear; innovation holds hands with failure; collaboration holds hands with conflict; and inclusion holds hands with difference.”
“how should we live, knowing we and everyone we love will die?” realest question ever
i read and annotated this book for my mom. it’s so hard for me to read long nonfiction books like this and i did skim some of it but i really liked it overall
kelseyr713's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
3.0
Really appreciated some of the sentiments/quotes from this book, but it wasn’t compelling enough that I couldn’t put it down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief