A Furiously Happy Review
Not your Typical Self-Help Book, Iget it
I have never read a book where I have spit coffee out my nose, cried unashamedly, or giggled unapologetically. All within the same chapter.
But that is the wit and rawness that Jenny Larson brings to her book “Furiously Happy.” Perhaps the humorous, and odd, picture of a laughing, and dead, raccoon on the cover should have given it away.
That, and the disclaimer my big sis gave when she recommended the book to me: some times you just need a good laugh and cry to get through depression, but I hope it doesn’t offend you!
well at least I didn’t experience that…
As early as the first page, you can begin to appreciate that Jenny has some “issues” and lives one wild life. Many times reading her stories, I thought damn, at least my life isn’t that bad.
And I think that is part of her point. She doesn’t brag or play the comparison card, in fact, her self-deprecation is constant. But her transparency is contrasted by her humorous way of looking at life. As the title suggests, she drives herself to be happy, often in bizarre ways.
I find it inspirational. But not in a go buy a stuffed dog kinda way (which would not go well at all with the wife), but in a find humor in life sort of way. Choose laughter. Experience the odd joy of life. Force yourself to be happy, especially when depression is drowning everything out.
Removes a layer of stigma
You aren’t the only with those thoughts, fears, and dead animals.
Well ok, hopefully, most of us don’t have a hobby of buying dead animals and dressing them up. But Jenny’s purpose in her book is to remove at least one more layer of the stigma that stifles so many from seeking the help they need. The stigma that feeds the lies in our heads.
For those who don’t battle mental illnesses but want to better understand, Jenny gives a good view of what it can be like at times. Though a memoir from her amazingly tolerant husband would be an interesting viewpoint some day.
Your thoughts
If you read any of Jenny’s books or follow her blog, share your thoughts. Even if you didn’t like it, actually especially if you didn’t like it, can you share a book you found to be more helpful for you? None of us enjoy the same things or think the same way, and perhaps some that read this review and don’t find Jenny’s style approachable, they can be pointed to one that is.
But I think we can all appreciate the idea of being furious, desperately, or maybe irresponsibly happy.
