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1.03k reviews for:
The Art of Asking; or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Let People Help
Amanda Palmer
4.1 AVERAGE
1.03k reviews for:
The Art of Asking; or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Let People Help
Amanda Palmer
4.1 AVERAGE
Such a motivating read! It has definitely made me want to chill out and remember to ask for help.
Amanda narrates the audiobook which was a fantastic experience, but make sure you're listening at regular speed when the music bits come on.
Amanda narrates the audiobook which was a fantastic experience, but make sure you're listening at regular speed when the music bits come on.
great book about human contact and quite beautifully written. Not every thought immediately stroke a chord with me though, and (as opposed to... everyone else apparently) it didn't quite manage to genuinely move me.
... She said it all, and better: Here is a review by Ksenia: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1077265629
A book that explores why it is so easy to help and so hard to ask for help, why it feels good to give and wrong to take.
Written in between autobiography, stream of consciousness, and essay, add A.P. is very direct and uninhibited in her interaction with the world, then it is not for everyone.
On the other hand, if you want a very personal, intimate, emotional and thought-provoking and fun joyride, it is a very interesting book. For me it really worked.
Two thoughts that I keep circling in my mind, related to other books I have read, are Vulnerability (Brené Brown) and Compassion to oneself and others (some of the best books in here I can think of come from the Dalai Lama).
Written in between autobiography, stream of consciousness, and essay, add A.P. is very direct and uninhibited in her interaction with the world, then it is not for everyone.
On the other hand, if you want a very personal, intimate, emotional and thought-provoking and fun joyride, it is a very interesting book. For me it really worked.
Two thoughts that I keep circling in my mind, related to other books I have read, are Vulnerability (Brené Brown) and Compassion to oneself and others (some of the best books in here I can think of come from the Dalai Lama).
I can't remember the last time a book touched me so much. I laughed and cried (simultaneously, on one occasion - Neil's signing event after his dad died). The last time a book made me cry was probably in primary school. Fucking brilliant.
One of the best memoirs I have ever read. She is open in a way few ever are. Highly recommended. I'll write a more detailed review when I am able.
This is a rare instance where I kind of wish I had listened to this on audiobook instead of reading it with my own eyeballs. I think hearing her read it and hearing the music mentioned would have enhanced my experience.
How I feel about Amanda Palmer has often seemed to depend on which way the wind was blowing on a given day, or more properly whether or not she had done something outrageous and got herself all over the internet. Again. I started out very doubtful; I had only vaguely heard of her when it became apparent that Neil Gaiman, of whom I _was_ a major fan, was becoming more and more besotted with her. I wasn't surprised when he announced in his blog that he was dating her, but I was when I heard they were engaged. Who was this woman? Did she deserve our lovely Neil?? Surely no one could be good enough... Then Neil started linking to her blog, and there were photos of them together, and I think I discovered her cover of Nick Cave's The Ship Song and loved it and liked when she gave a little chuckle with the line "Let loose your dogs upon me" and it was obviously associated with Neil, and I approved. Then I think she wore an almost transparent dress to the Oscars and I thought "oh what an exhibitionist." Then I think I read something else that she had written and I thought she wasn't so bad, might even be pretty cool, and then she'd do something else outrageous. I mean, as if it matters what I think, right? But the more I read of and by her - then there was her TED talk as well - the more I thought she seemed interesting and intelligent and a lot different from that persona you see photos of. And now I've read this - I was curious - and I really, really liked it. And I think I "get" her a lot more, and I'd really like to meet her and have coffee and talk about life. She writes well. I liked the structure - will recommend this to my creative non-fiction students as a good example of a "braided" narrative. She interweaves a fairly chronological narrative of her rise from human statue to her current fame, with thoughts about her relationship with Gaiman, conversations with others, excerpts from such things as The Velveteen Rabbit, and it's all very effective. Unless this is another massive put-on, and I don't believe it is, she comes across as completely authentic. She makes very interesting points about the difference between begging and asking, and about how the solid relationship she has with her fans is something built from trust and caring. I liked the distinction she makes between being "watched" and being "seen": the former what happened when she was a stripper, and the latter what happens when she makes an authentic connection with her audience. I think she says really interesting things about the kind of spiritual energy you need to put into making art. I enjoyed a glimpse into the life of a professional bohemian, and admired the incredible hard work it takes to sustain that seemingly carefree lifestyle.
I became a fan of Amanda Palmer by complete accident by a strange google trail through Neil Gaiman one night. I have since been following her closely on social media since the beginning of 2020, appreciating her perspective on the pandemic, her raw posts, and her complete transparency. So I knew I was a fan of Amanda the human, and Amanda the artist, but I was excited to delve into Amanda the writer.
SHE DID NOT DISAPPOINT. Oh my goodness, as someone who has always struggled to ask for help and always wants to avoid being seen as "needy" this book was a godsend to me. I loved her perspective. I loved the stories from her touring days. I loved how she tapped into the humanity in it all, offering me such fresh perspective. I am now trying to shift my thinking to being open to asking for help and looking at it as an opportunity to allow someone else to give me a gift.
I highly recommend this read to everyone!
SHE DID NOT DISAPPOINT. Oh my goodness, as someone who has always struggled to ask for help and always wants to avoid being seen as "needy" this book was a godsend to me. I loved her perspective. I loved the stories from her touring days. I loved how she tapped into the humanity in it all, offering me such fresh perspective. I am now trying to shift my thinking to being open to asking for help and looking at it as an opportunity to allow someone else to give me a gift.
I highly recommend this read to everyone!
I love reading books about people that live such different lives from me. Amanda does things I would never do, will never do, and could never imagine. I knew who she was before I read (listened to) the book, but I had never heard her music and didn't really know anything about her. I now think she is a very cool chick just trying to do what she feels is best, and I like that about her. She makes gutsy choices, and sounds very compassionate and intelligent, and I like that too. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book, and I know that I will recommend it to people, and more than likely re-read/listen to it in the future.