The eternal silence of these infinite spaces terrifies me. – Blaise Pascal, Pensées
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Ask: I’m thinking positively, feeling grateful. I want to tra
The eternal silence of these infinite spaces terrifies me. – Blaise Pascal, Pensées
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Ask: I’m thinking positively, feeling grateful. I want to travel back in time.
Visualize: I see myself driving a DeLorean and going back in time; it's Saturday and I just decided I won't read this book, thus avoiding another Coelho experience due to being dangerously curious and irremediably naive when it comes to the 'don't judge before reading' issue.
Receive:
Receive:
Receive?
Hello?
*
Much has already been said about the content of this book so I'll just share some random thoughts after being absent for months on here since I've been busy with work, studies, life, pandemic... Personally, I agree with the power of a positive thought and meditation which help with stress management and improve one's health, even though 'agree' may not be the right term since it's not a matter of belief.¹²³⁴ However, when I speak of a positive thought, I mean the normally transient positive thought, not the exhausting "Santa Claus on Prozac, at Disneyland, getting laid" kind of positivity used to satisfy one's materialistic desires - spiritual beings sure like mansions, expensive cars and other representations of opulence.
I also agree with the concept of gratitude, of course, and put it into practice on a daily basis. And, from time to time, I like the idea that everything's connected, which brings about some trepidation when one sees the other end to which one's supposedly connected and prefers to cut all red, green or uncolored strings in order to preserve one's mental health or even lives - ultimately, that would be one's fault, according to the law of attraction. In fact, one shouldn't even sympathize with other people's problems, that would bring chaos to the individualistic bubble.
In that sense, Byrne and Co. shouldn’t refer to the law of attraction as ‘the secret’ if they want everyone to know about it as claimed in the book. This law considers the universe stupid: it doesn’t distinguish good from bad. Following this logic, by calling it ‘the secret’ they bring more secrecy to it. They should call it ‘public knowledge’. (Conveniently enough, it does sound like a Seinfeld joke.) Either way, I'm planning on leaving the country in the near future so I'll test this law and will report the results; perhaps wishful thinking does buy plane tickets. And will eat all the food available on that flight (and in life) since weight is no longer an issue: to lose weight, don't focus on "losing weight." Instead, focus on your perfect weight. Feel the feelings of your perfect weight, and you will summon it to you. Did you really think the solution was a healthy diet and exercise? Did you really think it couldn't get worse? If you see people who are overweight, do not observe them, but immediately switch your mind to the picture of you in your perfect body and feel it.
On another note, it's remarkable that, taking into account the subject Byrne is dealing with, she didn't even try to bring a speck of seriousness to the book. As a journalist, lawyer, reader and human being, I wasn't expecting reliable sources, references to the resources she consulted (otherwise, saying that someone said something in the 1800's might as well be fiction), well-developed theories nor the beauty of a somewhat Proustian language all at once, but there's not even an effort to make it look less absurd.
I'm aware of the fact that there's not much to work with, but it doesn't hurt to give your best to create a book and not a Tumblr post. The way the entire book is presented, the repetitive lectures interspersed with simplistic testimonies, the mediocre writing that made me feel like a native English speaker, the other sources the author mentions... or dead writers that can't state whether their quotes, those loose sentences she uses as evidence, prove they were actually using 'the secret' or not. For instance, among the quotes, there's one by Einstein asking himself is this a friendly Universe? Naturally, the book speaks about the universe as an entity and the conclusion is Yes, the Universe is friendly... The Universe is conspiring for me in all things (where did I hear that before?). However, that quote is mostly known as is the Universe a friendly place? which could be about us and our attitudes, not the universe itself. Since they resorted to Einstein, it's important to remember he also wrote once a quiet and modest life brings more joy than a pursuit of success bound with constant unrest⁵.
I'm sure Byrne has been feeling good and reveling in positive thoughts, nevertheless, it wasn't enough. There's a number of factors that inevitably attracted another one-star rating.
The law of attraction is a law of nature. It is as impartial and impersonal as the law of gravity is. It is precise, and it is exact.
As a tribute to this book, here's a harmless story about someone’s endearing wrath.
A place for books, Don Juan A young man sent me a friend request and As a tribute to this book, here's a harmless story about someone’s endearing wrath.
A place for books, Don Juan A young man sent me a friend request and copious private messages
Despite knowing that I abhor suffocation— silence made him mad.
No need to block me on this autumn day, fine lad, I sure as hell will
not try to make contact with you.
*
Taylor haiku Swift for a day. That’s bad but innocuous haiku. The following examples are equally bad but much more obnoxious and "fun" is a foreign concept to them.
Your screaming child is Clearly devil spawn and you Should have your tubes tied.
*
When they serve me cold Coffee, I spill it on their Floor. Every damn time.
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Don’t risk jail time, just Hang your ex’s photo on a Heavy bag and Punch!
(Someone’s having trouble with letting go)
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Don’t try to wash my Windshield, or I’ll run that red Light right over you.
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My prof made a pass Turned her down and she freaked. See You-tube video.
Disgusting.
These are not pissed-off people but horrible human beings I would never like to meet. Their company must be so exhausting - like reading this book - and, in some cases, it may constitute a felony – like printing this book.
April 4, 19 * A couple of days on main page and back to oblivion. ** Later on my blog? Hmm, it's embarrassing - funnily enough, not on here....more
*DNF review alert. If you don't think they should exist, do not read this*
Jocelyn and Sylvia, two middle-aged women, one never married and the other c*DNF review alert. If you don't think they should exist, do not read this*
Jocelyn and Sylvia, two middle-aged women, one never married and the other crying rivers because she just got divorced; Bernadette, a sixty-seven year-old Liz Taylor; Prudie, a French teacher that shares her thoughts in French whether you speak it or not; Allegra, Sylvia's daughter, a thirty year-old lesbian who cannot get a happy relationship, and Grigg, a guy that... I don't know what to say about this choice. All these people start a Jane Austen book club.
This book starts slow and I don't think its pace ever changes (I couldn't finish this thing; I couldn't find the energy, so I put an end to this weird self-inflicted pain).
While I was reading this book, I couldn't stop thinking that if you are going to write about this outstanding author or her works, without a gram of her wit and fine humor, then please, do not do it. Save a tree and your dignity. Fowler's writing style can't get any drier. Let's be honest, some of these characters, from different points of view, have experienced failure; they might be considered “losers”, though that is a harsh word so let's call them... “non-winners”. My point is, there are clever ways of describing non-winners, however, Fowler picked the dullest ways possible. They lacked development, in my opinion. Funny thing, there are many unnecessary and over-detailed anecdotes that tried to explain some... context?, but they only made me forget about the whole plot (okay, let's imagine there is a plot). So this Daria-on-Valium kind of writing really bored me. And that is a big problem for me because I prefer writing over plot. I can deal with an average plot, but the writing must be good. And this is certainly not the case.
Like I said, all these people are members of a Jane Austen book club, so you could imagine all the witty comments you will read. “No animal passion”, Allegra said about Emma. Really? Just find some Sade Book Club, there's some “animal” for you to enjoy. I found some other very insightful remarks like “Emma is a snob”. Yeah, mind-blowing. A couple of lines later, I was reading some Jocelyn's story about tennis and yadda yadda yadda. Then, back to the book. And so on. And so on... I was lost. (Cohesion, coherence, connection?) It is a literary technique, sure, but if you are going to use it, you have to be very crafty to pull that off, lady. And again, this is not the case. I was frankly annoyed by all this. And one of my rules in life (that helps me preserve my mental health) is to not force myself to read something I am not enjoying. I don't have to prove anything to anyone, really. So, if by, let's say, page 50, I feel like I couldn't care less about the whole story, then adiós.
Anyway, there is a movie based on this book. It is one of those chick-flicks you can watch on a Sunday afternoon; I didn't like it that much. Feel free to ask, "then why did you read the book?" Because I have read somewhere that the screenplay had little to do with the book. So, I thought it was going to be better. Poor child! Let's just say that you might want to watch the movie and leave it at that. I found it much more entertaining than the book. Sacrilege, I know, but in this case, it is the sad truth.
Oh my god, I dislike it a lot, and I don't give a damn if it rhymes or not.
Dear Byron, Plath and Baudelaire, Oh, Pizarnik, Rimbaud and Verlaine, What theOh my god, I dislike it a lot, and I don't give a damn if it rhymes or not.
Dear Byron, Plath and Baudelaire, Oh, Pizarnik, Rimbaud and Verlaine, What the heck is this? I'm cursing like hell. It was a painful experience; I need some air.
** The end **
Oh, yes. I dared. Well. I am so mad because I had high hopes for this book. Sure, I was more intrigued by the misadventure part, but still I thought I would like it. However, I found this:
His Cause and Effect He makes me turn, he makes me toss; his words mean mine are at a loss. He makes me blush! He makes me want to brush and floss.
He and I When words run dry, he does not try, nor do I. We are on par. He just is, I just am, and we just are.
Beautiful Your hand reaches for mine. We kiss tentatively, passionately and then, tenderly. You brush my hair away from my face. “You're beautiful.” I wrinkle my nose in protest. “You are.”
Like Care Bears vomiting sugary rainbows on Valentine's Day. And the prose poetry doesn't get any better (Sad Songs, Dead Butterflies, Soul Mates, Angels...).
Anyway, when I was 12 or 13 years old, I had this diary filled with little poems about love and unrequited love, sighs, love, prince charming, love and more pinky pink love with a pinch of girl-pining-for-guy-ready-to-leave-everything-to-be-with-him. I remember one of those high-quality poems:
"Yes, yes" te lo digo en inglés, "piano, piano" te lo digo en italiano y lo mucho que "te quiero" ... ¡te lo digo en castellano!
That means something like: “Yes, yes”, I tell you in English, “Piano, piano”, I tell you in Italian, and how much I love you, I tell you in Spanish.
Do you see the resemblance? Leav's poems are the kind of thing I (emphasis on word “I”) would have loved when I was 12. And with this, I am not saying I am so mature and such a complex and supernaturally smart person bla blasasdssdf. I love poetry, and I know that it does not have to be all pretentious with difficult words and incredible images and erudite thoughts. But, seriously, have you read those verses I just quoted?! I was expecting something more substantial. Really. For me, it can't be all about how “you belong to me and I belong to you and now that you don't belong to me I feel empty and this truck full of ice cream won't make me feel whole again”, instead of knowing that only THINGS belong to you and you don't need another person to make you feel complete because you were not born half-a-person but whole, a whole human being, so stop eating strawberry ice-cream with that delicious whipped cream on it and move on! Just saying.
Okay. Babbling over. Anyhow... there are some chocolates here that come wrapped with little poems inside.
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And I thought those were awfully cheesy. (Oh no, I am not translating that.) If only I had collected all those poems... Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo! A better book.
I am sorry. I don't enjoy rating books with one sad star. In fact, I don't have many one-star books. I try to find the silver lining. But in my humble opinion, there is no silver in here, and definitely no lining. It is all cloudy and foggy and with a chance of rain. However, this is just one reader's opinion. A lot of people liked this book, so go ahead and find out for yourself.
* Also on my blog. ** Photo credit: Poem from Dos Corazones by Fel-Fort / me...more
I went to a book club once, years ago, and it was Esquivel's turn. That's it. That is all I should say about this book. Because if I start rememberingI went to a book club once, years ago, and it was Esquivel's turn. That's it. That is all I should say about this book. Because if I start remembering everything I disliked about it... Well, it won't be pretty. I mean, I enjoy magical realism, but not when it is so damn sappy, mushy, sentimental and other five synonyms that I can't come up with right now. I don't know. I guess I don't do well with such an enormous amount of melodramatic romance. It's fine when it's a well-written part of the story. But when the writing gets so sugary, I just feel awkward. Those two stars are because of its acceptable structure and, well, there's food (?). Seriously, that creative connection among the story, the food and other cultural aspects, it's kind of interesting. But the rest... I just wanted to forget it. And I successfully managed to do so. Until this review. Damn.
And... I'm done for now. This goes straight to its owner, thank you very much. Putting all prejudices aside (or most of them), I tried, and it didn't And... I'm done for now. This goes straight to its owner, thank you very much. Putting all prejudices aside (or most of them), I tried, and it didn't work. But I had to try, I can't talk about a book before reading it, even if I knew I wasn't going to like it. Clare's writing is quite simple, sometimes it seems forced. I couldn't finish it (it was physically and psychologically impossible) so maybe all the witty remarks are in the end of the book. I don't know. Anyway, I didn't care much about the plot or the characters (that guy most people love, a bit of a jerk, huh?). So, here we are. I'll wait for the movie.
"When you want something, the whole universe conspires in helping you to achieve it". Well, I want that week of my life back (yes, a week; I ended up "When you want something, the whole universe conspires in helping you to achieve it". Well, I want that week of my life back (yes, a week; I ended up avoiding that thing). The Aesop's fables that came with my chocolates brought me more inspiration than this book. I knew it wasn't my kind of thing. But, it was a recommendation, and everybody was talking about it, so I tried. He describes a couple of clichés using an annoying writing style. Dream big. Make that dream come true, no matter what. Find your treasure. Shepherd. Universe this, universe that. I want that week back.
I read it years ago, and I remember it being dull, dense, tedious, boring and other 140 similar adjectives. We just didn't connect at that time. I shoI read it years ago, and I remember it being dull, dense, tedious, boring and other 140 similar adjectives. We just didn't connect at that time. I should give it another try now, I guess....more
This is one of those books I read after the entire solar system read it. Dear Dan and Robert were tattooed in my brain thanks to all the media and friThis is one of those books I read after the entire solar system read it. Dear Dan and Robert were tattooed in my brain thanks to all the media and friends. Before reading it, I was out of their circle. And if today I'd still be out of their circle, it would be fine. Because I wasn't missing anything extraordinary... A somewhat quick read (it's not that long and difficult to understand, and still, it's dense, so after a while, it feels the freaking Great Wall of China kind of long) that didn't change my life. And with that I don't mean that every book must change your life, but a little impact would be nice. Anyway, it's a fine story but, in my opinion, I repeat, in my opinion, poorly written. And this doesn't mean I could've written a better book and all that crap. I think his writing style is simple, plain; it took advantage of an interesting story in the right moment. A crazy but interesting story.
