I categorized this book under spoofs because it made me laugh so much. I wanted to stop reading it because I found it ridiculous, but I wouldn't feel worthy of panning it here if I hadn't completed it and the joy of sharing my take on this book kept me turning pages and dog-earring quotable pages.
First, let me be clear, I like me some cheese; I like it with crackers and I like it with wine and I like it in my entertainment and personal growth. That this book is cheesier than a Velveeta factory was not the problem. The problem is that you have to back cheese up with some realism to make it relatable and digestable. Sharma does not do this.
Sharma did one thing that I very much did like, at least he may have done this, naming the book. It's a great title and made me want to read it immediately as I already had the book outlined in my head based upon the title and it was very good. I should have stuck with my own fantasy. Instead, there's a ton of new age advice espoused thru a very dumb fable that serves as some new age pnuemonic (which it takes John, the "student", most of the book to get and then is praised heavily by Julian, "the teacher" for this observation like a special ed teacher giving a student a lollipop for looking both ways before crossing the street. Actually, this typifies most of their interactions... only a special ed student would eventually become resentful of the condescension... But this never happens to John because he is a complete idiot, oh, sorry, I mean "empty cup". He's more like an empty thimble who's practically ejaculating over every trite concept Julian throws his way with wide eyed awe.).
Maybe these immaculate revelations would have had more of an impact on me as a teenager, but you would've had to get to me in early adolescence to impress me with the wonder of "think positive thoughts!", "prioritize what's important in your life!", "live in the now!", "find a purpose!", etc. etc. I love new age ideas and concepts, but Sharma just reguritates other people's wisdom and doesn't even make it interesting or unique. He even quotes himself from the book in the book! Each lesson has a summary of key ideas, actions, etc. and in each one he quotes himself, from the chapter you JUST READ, which has to earn him Douche of the Month, if not DOTYear in my opinion.
He is also an awful writer, most evident in his use of speaker tags and abuse of adjectives, which were actually my favorite part of the book-they were that bad. here are some fun examples:
"'Do I have to find a special lake to apply the Secret of the Lake?' I asked innocently."
"Hardly 'new age,'" he said, with a broad grin lighting up his radiant face.
Julian remembering the monks:
"I still remember seeing these wonderful looking people seated on the little bamboo chairs reading their strangely bound books with the subtle smiles of enlightenment unforlding across their lips."
"Easy, big fella! I couldn't agree with you more," offered Julian with all the warth and patience of a wise, loving grandfather.
Here's my favorite part of the book. John is talking about his big belly:
"It's really not that big," Julian suggested in a consoling tone.
"Then why does Jenny call me Mr. Donut?" I said, breaking into a broad smile.
Julian started to laugh. I had to follow. Soon the two of us were howling on the floor.
"I guess if you can't laugh at yourself who can you laugh at?" I said, still giggling.
Oh, I could go on and on, because Sherma does in this same manner. Sigh, it feels good to get this out. In summary, the book doesn't espouse anything bad or incorrect, it just does it in a really pathetic and sometimes insultingly condescending way.