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Man's Search for Meaning,
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Katrina Shawver
The book is a fast read, and it's hard to argue with a book that has more than 12 million copies in print worldwide. I read a news article on Viktor Frankl - very interesting. Before the war he established suicide prevention centers in Vienna for teenagers, and tried to help them find their unique meaning in life. It's based on his time in Auschwitz - not a happy place, but wise observations. I wouldn't call it depressing; I would call it observant of people in difficult circumstances and why some give up, and some keep hope alive. It's thought provoking in a positive way. I'm glad I know about this book. Good luck.
Aabha Sharma
Hi mama, this book is not in the least bit depressing. Actually it's very uplifting because the author is a remarkable person who believes in mans innate goodness. He survived the holocaust through love for his wife and by finding meaning and respite in everyday life. It's the kind of book that makes you believe that no matter the tough circumstances, if you do your best and retain your inner kindness, things can get better.
Ilana
This is asking the wrong question. The book made me realize not that "life is worth living", or that I should or can prepare for suffering, but rather that the purpose of life is to live, and to find a purpose or meaning in one's life. The point is that one can survive almost anything if one has a reason for doing so. And the purpose of life is to find that meaning. There's also quite a lot of information on how to do that, in the book.
Catherine
I was inspired, not depressed, by this book. Frankl found more meaning in his experience than any other survivor whose testimony I have heard or whose book I have read, and at this point I have listened and read to quite a bit. It is about how people respond to suffering and the challenges they meet, and although the camp experience is key to that, dwelling on the horrors of that is not Frankl's focus.
Deepak Sandhu
No, It does not make life easier. Life will be same as it is. But the author makes you think what you are living for. If you are suffering what you are suffering for. It also gives you the account of several prisoners of the concentration camp who against all odds survived and kept looking for a better future.
It's definitely a worth reading. I would happily suggest it to anyone who asking themselves the question "what is going on in life".
It's definitely a worth reading. I would happily suggest it to anyone who asking themselves the question "what is going on in life".
Ali Khaheshi
I believe the book neither makes the life easier by itself nor prepare you for suffering. But, it shows you the ways that it's possible to be in the worst case scenarios such as Nazi death camps and still find a meaning and reason for your suffering. You could always have your dreams and hopes for a better future.
So, no worry, this is not a depressing book. Indeed, it's a great book to read for anyone seeking a purpose in his/her life.
By the way, you have probably read the book up to now! :)
So, no worry, this is not a depressing book. Indeed, it's a great book to read for anyone seeking a purpose in his/her life.
By the way, you have probably read the book up to now! :)
Amy
The book is actually uplifting and inspiring.
The point of suffering in his book is not to be depressed but to find meaning in the suffering, to not expect to live a mindless happy life but to look for personal meaning.
The point of suffering in his book is not to be depressed but to find meaning in the suffering, to not expect to live a mindless happy life but to look for personal meaning.
Saga Söderback
I found absolutely nothing actionable in this book as a depressed person. It was depressing to me, yes. The author lived through one of the worst things man's ever done to man and he was able to remain optimistic, but my response was "this guy's life was clearly way worse than mine, but I can't seem to find any hope. Great. I'm clearly troubled. Now I feel even worse."
P Rao
To the contrary, the book prepares one to not let go of the hope and faith...central to one's internal strength, mental translating into physical! The book, like many others on the struggles and survival of the prisoners of the Nazi camps, provides a humbling experience!
A.D. Crystal
Nooo. It is not a depressing book, at all.
Throughout the book I had this feeling of some dim light coming from somewhere, despite the darkness of the subject. It seems that the words the author chose, as well as his optimistic, far from the cheesy one, perspective of the author, continuously kept me away from the quick sand of negativity, depressive thoughts and self-race pity.
On the contrary, the author clearly describes how THERE IS - ABSOLUTELY - LIFE MEANING EVEN IN A SUFFERING SITUATION.
Throughout the book I had this feeling of some dim light coming from somewhere, despite the darkness of the subject. It seems that the words the author chose, as well as his optimistic, far from the cheesy one, perspective of the author, continuously kept me away from the quick sand of negativity, depressive thoughts and self-race pity.
On the contrary, the author clearly describes how THERE IS - ABSOLUTELY - LIFE MEANING EVEN IN A SUFFERING SITUATION.
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