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3.26 AVERAGE
3.26 AVERAGE
a quick little read. humorous presentation of a thought-provoking subject. good balance of laughter and levity so the life lessons didn’t become too heavy handed.
I won this on goodreads giveaways - perhaps as a promotional thing as the film of this book with Simon Pegg is coming out?
If you're looking for an amazing plot and deep characters, this book isn't going to fit the bill. Really it's more of a self-help book or a pyschology pondering on the meaning of happiness type book - all told through the medium of a fable or a fairstory. This isn't a story for kids, but it is told as if we are children. In fact, in one place when explaining something, it tells us that this is what grown-ups do. On the one hand its deceptively light, whilst giving plenty of food for thought, and made me ponder on the question of what is happiness. On the other hand you could be forgiven for finding it a wee bit condescending at times, with slight over tones of the stereotypical French male. This isn't a book that's going to get into the nitty gritty of mental illness, and neatly glosses over that subject. And the final paragraph perhaps sums up that slightly uncomfortable feeling I got now and then regarding the women in the book. Hector's workaholic girlfriend, Clara, is doing a lot better. He's been loving her more, and she appreciates it. So she's stopped working so hard, and started looking at babies. Wow girls, that's all we need to be happy? And it's the only way? Hmmm... ok, I shall try not to overthink things and just take this as a genteel male middle class fable on happiness.
I've written nothing of the plot! Hector is a physciatrist in France (it never says France, but come on, it so obviously is!). He's pondering on happiness, and why some of his patients, who have great lives, are miserable? So he decides to take a journey around the world to discover what happiness is. He goes to China, "Africa", the land of MORE, has casual sex here there and everywhere and writes his ponderings down in his notebook.
If you're looking for an amazing plot and deep characters, this book isn't going to fit the bill. Really it's more of a self-help book or a pyschology pondering on the meaning of happiness type book - all told through the medium of a fable or a fairstory. This isn't a story for kids, but it is told as if we are children. In fact, in one place when explaining something, it tells us that this is what grown-ups do. On the one hand its deceptively light, whilst giving plenty of food for thought, and made me ponder on the question of what is happiness. On the other hand you could be forgiven for finding it a wee bit condescending at times, with slight over tones of the stereotypical French male. This isn't a book that's going to get into the nitty gritty of mental illness, and neatly glosses over that subject. And the final paragraph perhaps sums up that slightly uncomfortable feeling I got now and then regarding the women in the book. Hector's workaholic girlfriend, Clara, is doing a lot better. He's been loving her more, and she appreciates it. So she's stopped working so hard, and started looking at babies. Wow girls, that's all we need to be happy? And it's the only way? Hmmm... ok, I shall try not to overthink things and just take this as a genteel male middle class fable on happiness.
I've written nothing of the plot! Hector is a physciatrist in France (it never says France, but come on, it so obviously is!). He's pondering on happiness, and why some of his patients, who have great lives, are miserable? So he decides to take a journey around the world to discover what happiness is. He goes to China, "Africa", the land of MORE, has casual sex here there and everywhere and writes his ponderings down in his notebook.
Loved this book. Very simple. Very sweet. Like a modern day "Little Prince". One that I will read over and over again in my life time.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
While not the most sophisticated book in terms of how it is written, I thought the book was worth the read. I like the concept behind the book. The idea that a psychiatrist decides to go on a search for happiness by going to different countries and observing the people he comes in to contact with. I like the "Happiness Lessons" he comes up with. It makes for a lot to think about. While I felt extremely sad for Clara, it seems like he forgets about Clara while on his search...not literally, he still thinks about her, but he does some selfish stuff on his search. But other than that, I enjoyed Hector's journey. This was not a difficult read, in fact, in a lot of ways, the simplicity was sort of annoying. In my opinion it is obvious that Lelord is not a writer because he tells you things like "By now you have guessed that...." Well, how were we supposed to guess that? You didn't give us any clues that was such. I felt like the book dumbed down a lot of stuff. However, if you can get past that, the book is an interesting read. I would recommend it to a friend, but I would warn them ahead of time that the book, while short is slow. And that it is not the most well written book. If you were reading this for a book club, I think there would be A LOT to talk about.
I thought "Hector and the Search for Happiness" was written in an interesting manner. However, I found the read exceptionally slow--perhaps because I was also taking classes--and a couple of plot points irritating. For example, (spoiler alert!) Hector cheats on his girlfriend and this mistake is, not only left unresolved, not addressed as much of a mistake at all. Hector never confesses to his betrayal (although, I know that there are sequels which may have this addressed in them, I haven't read them) and he is only afflicted with a minuet sense of guilt which is quickly overrode.
I was BEYOND excited when I got this book in the mail because I've wanted to read this book since I read a review on vulpes libres (vulpeslibris.wordpress.com/2010/01/20/hector-and-the-search-for-happiness-by-francois-lelord/) which was written a while ago. You really must read this review. And instead of putting the same things in my review here, I'm just going to write about why I loved this book.
First of all, I loved the premise of the book.
I loved that Hector was so lovable.
And I LOVED the writing style. Truly, I think that was my favorite part. I loved that Lelord gave vague descriptions that were easily discernible (does that sound confusing? You just have to read it to know what I'm talking about). I generally dislike authors who flood their books with endless descriptions (I always have a hard time getting through Charles Dickens for that reason...I usually just start skimming when Dickens get long-winded), and Lelord catered to my favorite reading style...one that is descriptive but brief. (Which by the way, I prefer conversations like that too...if you start waxing long I usually tune out until you get to the point and then I start listening).
I loved that this book was witty and made me laugh throughout. You wouldn't necessarily think that a book written about a psychiatrist is funny, but it is. And nothing is lost in translation. (The book was originally written in french).
I LOVED all of Hector's life lessons. They were so true and profound to me at times that I started to wonder if I was reading a self-help book disguised as fiction.
I didn't find the ending quite as "disappointing" as RosyB did, and actually enjoyed it. And I agree with her too...the journey is what this book is all about.
Really, you should read this book. I think you will like it. If you do read it, you must tell me what you think. :0)
First of all, I loved the premise of the book.
I loved that Hector was so lovable.
And I LOVED the writing style. Truly, I think that was my favorite part. I loved that Lelord gave vague descriptions that were easily discernible (does that sound confusing? You just have to read it to know what I'm talking about). I generally dislike authors who flood their books with endless descriptions (I always have a hard time getting through Charles Dickens for that reason...I usually just start skimming when Dickens get long-winded), and Lelord catered to my favorite reading style...one that is descriptive but brief. (Which by the way, I prefer conversations like that too...if you start waxing long I usually tune out until you get to the point and then I start listening).
I loved that this book was witty and made me laugh throughout. You wouldn't necessarily think that a book written about a psychiatrist is funny, but it is. And nothing is lost in translation. (The book was originally written in french).
I LOVED all of Hector's life lessons. They were so true and profound to me at times that I started to wonder if I was reading a self-help book disguised as fiction.
I didn't find the ending quite as "disappointing" as RosyB did, and actually enjoyed it. And I agree with her too...the journey is what this book is all about.
Really, you should read this book. I think you will like it. If you do read it, you must tell me what you think. :0)
Das Buch ist eine leichte Lektüre für zwischendurch, die einem hin und wieder ein Lächeln auf die Lippen zaubert.
Die Einfachheit des Schreibstiles mag gewollt sein oder durch die Übersetzung aus dem Französischen bedingt, nichtsdestotrotz ermöglicht sie die klare Kommunikation über das Glück. Am Ende ist man definitiv reicher!
Die Einfachheit des Schreibstiles mag gewollt sein oder durch die Übersetzung aus dem Französischen bedingt, nichtsdestotrotz ermöglicht sie die klare Kommunikation über das Glück. Am Ende ist man definitiv reicher!