| Title | : | How to Be Perfectly Unhappy |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1449433537 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781449433536 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 44 |
| Publication | : | First published October 31, 2017 |
In How To Be Perfectly Unhappy, Inman explores the surprising benefits of forgetting about “happiness,” and embracing instead the meaningful activities that keep us busy and interested and fascinated.
How to Be Perfectly Unhappy Reviews
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![[S] Bibliophage](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1517936499i/11854153._UX200_CR0,52,200,200_.jpg)
How to Be Perfectly Unhappy is the second graphic novel of The Oatmeal, or Matthew Inman in real life, that I was able to received a review copy from the publisher. A lot of readers will undoubtedly can relate to the compelling words that this 48-page book contains — especially those who think they might not be happy, currently at lost with what they really want, or those who are questioning their life's purpose.
The author is famous for his other published books that are quite funnier in theme. On the other hand, this particular book of The Oatmeal is more profound and noteworthy, because of how it discussed on what it really means to be happy or unhappy.
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In his latest book, How To Be Perfectly Unhappy, Matthew Inman, aka The Oatmeal, ponders the concept of happiness in his usual humorous style. And it’s a pretty amusing read but short because the subject, and his conclusions, are fairly straightforward and underwhelming.
The crux of his argument centres around flawed semantics and framing: are you happy or unhappy? But why is it an either/or question to begin with – aren’t we more complex than that? Happiness to me is an undeniably and overwhelming positive emotion and unhappiness is the opposite but, like Inman, I generally don’t feel either way for long – most of the time I’m content, interested and engaged in various different things that fill my days (work, hobbies, personal stuff, etc.) that don’t elicit feelings of either happiness or unhappiness.
Inman illustrates his point with the example of Pluto being downgraded from a planet because our definition of a planet changed over time. Maybe we should start reconsidering what “happy” means? Because if the choice is happy or unhappy and we’re not punching the air euphorically with a dumb smile on our faces, does that leave us with the realisation that we’re unhappy (and thereby possibly making you unhappy)? It shouldn’t. In this moment, I’m not happy but to say I’m therefore unhappy isn’t right either. Fulfilment would be a better term particularly as a lot of us do things that are hard to achieve but we find meaning and fulfilment from the challenge even if we’re not especially “happy” in the process.
Even though How To Be Perfectly Unhappy is a short book, the material felt stretched for what it was. Nor was I very engaged as he’s not saying anything mind-blowing and it’s not as funny as his other books. That said, I agree with Inman’s views and appreciate thoughtful books like this. He puts his ideas across well and it’s got a very positive message at its heart. -
This one was a mix.
How to Be Perfectly Unhappy is a short collection of lovely drawings that ponder the concept of happiness. Some reflections are of some interest, but not exactly meaningful epiphanies, just stuff you already know; others echo a self-help Coelhish mumbo jumbo about wanting to hurt so you can heal...
All in all, nothing extraordinary. Nothing hilarious or somewhat amusing. Nothing remarkably inspirational. Nothing as good as the book with the suspicious-looking cats.
Other books I've read by Inman:
How to tell if your cat is plotting to kill you
Why grizzly bears should wear underpants
July 19-20, 18
* Actual rating: 2.5 stars.
** Also on
my blog. -
Inman (The Oatmeal) uses a cute title for a simple, straightforward statement about how it is better to be interested and engaged and fascinated than happy. Moments of joy or bliss are good, he says, but happy for him implies a state of being, something of permanence. I disagree, but okay. I think happiness can be a state, and never anything but temporary. He says he's not a happy person. He runs and he is in pain doing it, a lot of the time. He advocates for meaningful over happy. He thinks things are more complicated than happy vs unhappy. This is not news, this is not original or particularly insightful, but the drawings are cute enough (though also meant to be a little snarky and rude), I guess.
My final words on the subject:
“This is my last message to you: in sorrow, seek happiness.”--Fyodor Dostoyevsky -
YES!!!! Oh how I love this book!
How to Be Perfectly Unhappy is a short graphic novel written by
Matthew Inman (aka The Oatmeal) and it tells you the surefire recipe for how to be unhappy: adopt the world's one definition for happiness. The thing is, "happiness" as the world commonly defines it isn't real. Finding contentment and peace in one's life looks so incredibly different for everyone. It's not measurable and there is no end goal.
Matthew Inman (aka The Oatmeal) explores this common dysfunction and the anxiety we put upon ourselves as we strive to meet a social expectation that will likely never fit. This book is perfection as it gently broadens our perspective and social expectations on this very subjective topic.
How to Be Perfectly Unhappy should be required reading. If you've never read any of Inman's graphic novels before, pick any of them and get started. They're hilarious, entertaining, so easy to relate to, and in this case, incredibly validating. Check it out!!
Thank you to the following for permitting me access to an advance reader's copy (ARC) of
How to Be Perfectly Unhappy. This generosity did not impact my honesty when rating/reviewing.
Source: NetGalley
Authors: The Oatmeal, Matthew Inman
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Pub Date: 31 Oct 2017 -
This small graphic self-help book manages to wax philosophical in a way that many other humongous tomes fail to do. At 48 pages it's all too short, but it's definitely entertaining and deep enough to be re-read multiple times.
The Oatmeal makes a fantastic case as to why our perception of happiness is nothing more than an illusion, and that it's in our best interest to set ourselves free from trying to attain those impossible standards. The catch-22 is that striving for happiness based on accomplishments only leads us to feelings of failure and coming up short when we compare ourselves to other people.
The Oatmeal is right. Life is too short to not be fascinated with its mysteries, and feeling joy and bliss from accepting ourselves for who we are. That's all we need to feel in order to stop and enjoy the life we've been given and embrace ourselves for who we truly are.
Self-love and self-appreciation are the best gifts we can give ourselves.
Five beautiful stars and three cheers for The Oatmeal! :)
Thanks Netgalley. -
Meh.
Given that this is a less than 50 page comic, I don't think I had unreasonably high expectations . . . BUT. I know what this guy is capable of, even given limited space.
And this . . . This was nothing special. Apparently it's the hilarity that makes the unapologetic clarity Inman brings to our everyday day lives tolerable.
Without his trademark cleverness, his be-a-better-human message is just syrupy sweetness. *pukes rainbows*
I recommend this instead:
http://theoatmeal.com/comics/believe
And hey, while you're on the website, buy a stuffed harbinger of blood-soaked rainbows or a sticker or something. Dude's gotta eat. -
Wow. Totally changed how I feel about being happy. Indeed, our definition of happy is so meaningless. Not everything around may make us 'happy' but they do add meaning in our life - which matters. Not always am I happy when I read, or when I cook, or when I am with my family. But that scarcely matters.
It's okay to be unhappy. And this book explained that brilliantly in less than 50 pages. -
A lot of people think Matthew Inman's work is all fart jokes and dogs licking themselves, and I mean, that's most of it, but sometimes, Matthew gets really freaking insightful and makes me contemplate the universe and my existence and such. This book is definitely one of those times.
Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review! -
So - happiness is an imaginary construct built by humankind, and something which we all yearn for. Yet, according to the author, a state of unending happiness is impossible - simply because our definition of happiness is far too lofty.
Hence, rather than worrying about whether your life gives you happiness, worry about whether your life gives you meaning.
Do the little things interest you? Does your work fulfill you? Do your hobbies keep your weekends busy?
Yes to all three?
Good, then you can skip this book. Because that's the entire point this book tries to make. Meh.
A 2 star book that I'll bump up to a 3 - only because the illustrations are cute and I love 'Exploding Kittens'. -
I loved this so much!
It's just 44 pages long and I suppose EVERYONE, EVERYONE needs to read this. -
I picked it because it's a comic but this small beautiful book explained how it's okay to be unhappy. We may not be beaming with happiness while doing things that are compelling, meaningful and challenging but it's completely okay. That's a strong message from a less than 50pages book.
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NetGalley review.
Who doesn't like The Oatmeal?
Happiness is so overrated, even the word "happy" is becoming so weary and stale. Everyones wants the "best" friend, the "perfect" spouse, the awesomest" candidate. And that all is mostly connected with happiness or being a happy, positive person all the time. But sheeesh, give us a break, we, humans, just can't be the fountains of positivity 365 days a year. And you don't have to be. That would be impossible. And it's perfectly normal. This book illustrates these truths perfectly. It's both sad and funny, reminding us once again, that it's OK to be unprotect and feel a rainbow of emotions, not just one - "happy".
Some of the pictures were seen online, but that doesn't ruin the fun this book give a reader. I liked it. It resonates well with my inner animals (yep, I have a zoo inside). Be unhappy! -
This is a little heavier than what I generally expect from The Oatmeal. The art is really beautiful and ranges from silly and simple to more complex visuals as the author has a point to make. The idea of being happy is much more complicated than how society seems to propose it as a yes or no question. That definition doesn't really fit with the spectrum of human experience. I agree with this and I think it is something that can make a person feel negatively when it's not necessary because this idea of Happiness as a permanent condition can be discouraging to anyone who does not wake up to rainbows and frolicking puppies and kittens every morning.
I enjoy The Oatmeal and generally look for more lighthearted stuff from them. I still feel as imperfectly unhappy after reading this as I did before, but I appreciate the creativity and can't argue with the sentiment behind it.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for making a free copy of this title available for review. -
![Jessi ❤️ H. Vojsk [if villain, why hot?]](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1646942374i/66224803._UX200_CR0,46,200,200_.jpg)
This was a really, really meaningful comic about the definition of "happy" and that
being happy or unhappy isn't everything and we should definitely not define ourselfs by this word. -
That was so confusing, but I eventually got it.
I think so? -
Wow. I hated this so much. SO. MUCH.
First of all, the whole book is full of cartoon illustrations with vomit, farts, poop, blood, and grotesque faces. That does not make me a happy reader. I was too busy being nauseated to enjoy the writing.
And while the writing made a couple of good points about the concept of "being happy", I don't think the general philosophy here is a healthy one. No counselor that I know of would recommend this way of thinking.
I hated this so much. On so many levels. UGH.
Disclaimer: I received an ecopy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts and are not influenced by anyone. -
How to be perfectly unhappy felt like self help book or motivational one and I find them not useful(was going to say useless but then thought better of it cuz they help people out there, that people of course is not me).
I don't like to be told what to do to improve myself. If I want to change my life, I can do it myself if I want to (it's other thing that I don't want to coz I'm lazyass). -
Cute.
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This was an inspiring little comic that I really connected with given all the pressure in life (sometimes self-induced) to "be happy". I related immensely. I am however glad I found it at the e-library because buying a 29 page book would have been not my jam. Why 4 stars? Love his comics, wish he had more content per book.
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I trusted Inman to hide an uplifting book behind a curious title like this. In this super short book, Inman offers his definition for 'happiness'. He argues that happiness as a state of a mind is a painful spectrum, and that it can't be viewed through binary glasses. I loved that definition. Inman's colourful illustration on finding a meaning and suffering with it is delightful. He doesn't believe that happiness is just about smiling and believing in perfection, but feeling alive in one's own way leads to what is generally defined as happiness. I enjoyed his analogy between Pluto and happiness. A fun read.
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I've previously read other Oatmeal books and really enjoyed the humour alongside the fantastically talented illustrations. With this one however, I was struck by how hugely cynical and pessimistic the author comes across. I understand the concept of happiness being rather a binary term, you either are or you're not happy, and this doesn't encompass the whole range of human emotions accurately. But the way it was delivered just left me feeling really deflated at the end of it!
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Happy is a monochromatic word used to describe a rich, painful spectrum of human feeling
Is our perception of happiness nothing more than an illusion?
I loved the way the author argued and explained his point of view.
It's irrelevant.
because I'm not happy,
And I don't pretend to be.
Instead,
I'm busy.
I'm interested.
I'm fascinated.
I do things that are meaningful to me, even if they don't make me happy.
...
I run until my feet bleed
and my skin burns
and my bones scream
I read
I read long, complicated books about very smart things.
And I read short, silly books about very stupid things.
...
I work.
I work for twelve hours a day.
Until I can't think straight and I forget to feed myself and the light outside dims to a tired glow.
Thanks Netgalley! -
I enjoyed reading it a lot!
The message of the book is beautiful and easily to the point. You maybe feel stressed when you do the things you are interested in. You can't be happy with everything you do in your life. But you feel accomplished when you get things done, and you feel happy and satisfied with the results you get at the end.
So inspiring!!
I loved the illustrations and how it had a sci-fi vibes.
And the part in which he discussed the de-planetization of Pluto actually made sense for me. Loved that part!
*ARC received from publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review* -
3.5 helms
Please follow me on my blog :) Review originally posted on Vellum Voyages (
www.vellumvoyages.com)
Have never heard of The Oatmeal or Matthew Inman but I was curious about this graphic novel when I requested it. At first, I was confused about the context and it didn't really have much of an impact as I was trying to get my head around what message the author was trying to convey but as I was reaching the end of the book, things started to fall in place and I started to understand the profound message Matthew Inman was writing about.
Everyone's version of happiness is different and most of us only know two states: happy and unhappy. Matthew Inman attempts to make us understand that it is ok to enjoy a state between the two extremes and be content. Happiness can also be an unachievable, elusive goal and by always trying to achieve this state, we can also make ourselves unhappy during the journey.
Relating back to my own life, I always find I'm chasing happiness too and find it's always elusive no matter what I do. I don't need to think about it to know that my life is pretty damn good and I cannot complain at all. This book made me question what is the concept of happiness really? And how come it is so difficult to attain despite the fact that I have nothing to complain about! It was nice to realise that it's okay to have an unlabelled state of contentment despite it not being happiness!
I feel like this book really conveys a very important life lesson and it will do many people well to take away some advice from it. If like me, you initially find the concept confusing keep reading (after all it's a short book!) and re-read it again after a few weeks and see what you think! I didn't pay enough attention to the artwork to comment on it as I was more focused on the concept!
*Thank-you Matthew Inman (The Oatmeal), Netgalley & Andrews McMeel Publishing for the ARC. -
2.5/5
This book was based off a Wall Street Journal essay titled 'How to Live Unhappily Ever After' (which you can read for free
here). I would recommend reading the essay and this book if you want to ponder the meaning of 'happiness' and 'unhappiness' (what does it mean to be happy? Are you happy? If you're not happy, then you must be unhappy. So are you happy or unhappy all the time? Is it possible to be permanently happy or unhappy?)
Overall, I was rather disappointed with this book mostly because I was expecting a book full of fun content like what's normally found on
The Oatmeal. I wasn't expecting a comic book full of heavy philosophical musings on what it means to be happy (and paired with funny graphics to lighten the mood). Needless to say, the serious and somewhat pessimistic topic accompanied by the Oatmeal-styled comics was a very strange combination... -
It was cute. We should all be okay with not being happy.
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Entendí perfectamente el concepto de este libro pero no le encontré sentido y que los dibujos fueran tan diferentes, en algunos casos, me hizo sentir que se trataban de diferentes artistas.
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Read this instead of paying attention during a meeting, fun book!
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"I am not happy is different from unhappy" Atlast find the meaning of real happiness
