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3.26 AVERAGE
3.26 AVERAGE
Hector is a psychiatrist living in France working with wealthy clientele who are unhappy while also volunteering with the less fortunate who are happy. His work with the two groups leads him to wonder how happiness can be measured and increased, and to find answers to his growing questions, Hector decides to travel the world asking vastly different groups of people what makes them happy. His journey takes him to China, Africa, and Los Angeles as he discovers not only the sources of human happiness but his own happiness, as well.
Despite buying it at a book fair years and years ago, I hadn’t picked up Hector and the Search for Happiness since I put it on my shelf. Recently, however, I read an article about the book being made into a film, and with a load of great actors and an adorable trailer, I decided that this book was worth a shot.
I was surprised with Lelord’s overly simplistic and straightforward writing style, and I have to say it rather lessened the book in my opinion. Lelord wrote as though addressing a child, and I felt very juvenile while reading it. The lessons Hector learns and imparts are meaningful, but the method in which he collected the little nuggets of wisdom from old friends and acquaintances was overly simplistic, too. Altogether, it was kind of a cute read, but nothing worth writing home about. From the preview of the movie, I imagine it will be much more entertaining.
This book might be instrumental in the original French for those learning the language, due to the writing style, but as for a book in English, I can’t say it was a life-changing read at all.
Despite buying it at a book fair years and years ago, I hadn’t picked up Hector and the Search for Happiness since I put it on my shelf. Recently, however, I read an article about the book being made into a film, and with a load of great actors and an adorable trailer, I decided that this book was worth a shot.
I was surprised with Lelord’s overly simplistic and straightforward writing style, and I have to say it rather lessened the book in my opinion. Lelord wrote as though addressing a child, and I felt very juvenile while reading it. The lessons Hector learns and imparts are meaningful, but the method in which he collected the little nuggets of wisdom from old friends and acquaintances was overly simplistic, too. Altogether, it was kind of a cute read, but nothing worth writing home about. From the preview of the movie, I imagine it will be much more entertaining.
This book might be instrumental in the original French for those learning the language, due to the writing style, but as for a book in English, I can’t say it was a life-changing read at all.
Written almost as if for a child (but with a couple of minor adult-ish scenes...um, a hooker and a kidnapping) but the writing style makes it rather charming and in the end, the list of characteristics of happiness is pretty wonderful.
I don't often say this, but I liked the movie more. I may have liked the book more if I had read it first, but I didn't, so I don't. The movie was great, Simon Pegg is fantastic, and it made me think of "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty", or "Eat Pray Love". The book just feels patronizing. It made me think of The Alchemist or The Little Prince, which were also bestsellers and I also didn't like. Oh well.
Not that it's horrible, and I'm not even done with it (I'm only half way through) so I could change my mind. It's just, so far, it's alright *shrug*.
Not that it's horrible, and I'm not even done with it (I'm only half way through) so I could change my mind. It's just, so far, it's alright *shrug*.
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It wasn't bad. I don't think I learned anything and I think that I am not the target audience for this book. If you are a deep- thinker, particularl about emotions and human relationsips then there's probably nothing for you here.
Hmmm, I don't know about this one. It was amusing enough although by the end, I had had enough of it. It's not long either, so maybe that's even worse of an endorsement than books that carry on a 100 pages too long. I found a lot of racial caricature troubling and the womanizing was an odd element.
A uniquely simple (and short!) story about the lessons one man learns about happiness as he expands his horizons and travels the world. Hector, a psychiatrist who is ultimately unsatisfied with his life, decides to travel and visit friends in China, Africa, and the land of More (a very accurate description of the United States, in my opinion) to find out as much as he can about happiness- what causes it, what the results of having or not having are, and how one can obtain it. It is humorous, despite some not so wonderful events that occur. It is written in such a simplistic style (almost childlike), which makes it grab the reader, compelling to read further and find out what Hector will discover about happiness.