** spoiler alert ** I originally read this book for my Encounters in Humanities course. I remember settling down on the couch for a long, boring read (as I judged by the barefaced cover and a skim over the title). Although not every part is enthralling, this book has taught me, personally, so much. It also served its purpose incredibly well in the class; I was filled with questions, and insights into human nature I would have never explored on my own.
The part of the book that hit me hardest was the section on love, and also the discussions and thoughts that came from natural levels of happiness. My professor asked the class as we read this section, and as the book asked us the same thing in a different way, "do you condemn someone with bad eyesight for wearing glasses? Are they somehow weaker in their will to see? Maybe they should just try focusing harder, instead of leaning on glasses as a crutch for their vision." Everyone seemed surprised, but he continued. "This book suggests the same is true, mentally, for some people; that there is an inherent level of happiness, an inherent ability to feel these emotions that we often strive for, that can make it more difficult or easier for certain people to feel. There are people who may have to constantly struggle, or may constantly be overwhelmed by sadness, who seek medication that doesn't elevate their mood, but equalize it with those of others; a neutral level that can still dip low, but can now have the ability to rise above. Why do we take issueswith mental and emotional ability so differently than those issues of physical ability? If someone inherently, internally, in their brain, is less able than another individual, should they not be helped?".
In my opinion, a book like this is made to be read, absorbed, reread, and discussed. I hold this book in high-esteem, as my friends who read this in the class with me are still bringing it up and discussing it to this day. I enjoyed it, and it influences me to this day.