Against Happiness: In Praise of Melancholy

A reviewer

I haven't read the whole book but giving me a short glimpse of it already made me realize one useful and life-changing-perspective and that is, 'melancholy should not be taken as a negative force but rather a driving force in achieving a better life!' It is not embarrassing to admit that you are sad your whole life! The more you admit to everyone around you that you are a sentimental person, the more that these people will understand who you are and accept you as that kind of person. This book is really inspiring and I recommend this to all people out there who experiences sadness in their lives.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Literary Brilliance

A quick but thorough examination of polar opposites of emotions, Wilson delves deeply not simply into feeling sad, but, by the end of the novel, into something much more transcendent. This novel examines living completely, it exists to defend the beautiful dual nature of humanity, the opposite and extreme emotions that exist so separate from each other, yet are incomprehensibly similar. The novel carefully glamorizes the idea of being able to experience both sides of life, whether the gloomy melancholic walk on a chilly autumn day, or the gleeful joy of a sunny outdoor wedding. Excellent read, and a fresh look on what it means to be alive.

Reads like a high school paper

Although I found the premise appealing, overall, the book was no good. I am a fan of argumentative discourses, and this seemed to fit in that category- but it isn't. The author repeats the same sentences multiple times, but not to reiterate a point, just to fill space. There was research done, but it's just thrown in all hodgepodge unconnected from the rest of the "argument" in the chapter.

An ode to the power of negative thinking

In this candid and unconventional book, English professor and humanist Eric G. Wilson positions himself as melancholy's champion. He does everything but wave gloomy pom-poms as he extols its role in creativity and invention. As counterintuitive and loopy as his view may seem, Wilson makes a strong, lucid case for feeling glum. Indeed, reading Wilson's book may inspire you trade in your grin for a wholehearted frown. If you seek a change from the deluge of cheery self-help tomes, or if you want to expand your outlook, then step out of the sunshine and into the shadows with this iconoclastic book. Although Wilson sometimes rambles or digresses in making his argument, getAbstract finds that his book thoughtfully affirms the power of negative thinking.

The topic is relevant and timely, but...

What seemed to be an outstanding opportunity to explore a topic of great importance and interest turned out to be a self-indulgent rant. This read was disappointing on many different fronts most especially because of the anger that seemed to exude from the author...sad is one thing, angry/chip on the shoulder is quite another and this book did not bother drawing those lines. The book fails to speak directly to a very riveting topic and ultimately provides the reader not with new insights into the subject but with information about a very self important author. Returning ''Against Happiness' is going to make this melancholy reader very happy indeed.

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