The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life

Part of me bought this book because I thought it was funny and quirky, part of me bought it because I was sick of giving a f*^k about so many little things that ate up my day, I didn't have any energy for the things that really mattered.

This book isn't about throwing everything to the wind and turning in to a useless blob. It's about giving f^*ks where f^*ks deserve to be given, placing your f^*ks where they're going to do you good instead of drag you down. I highly recommend it, but if you pass on it, I really don't give a f^*k.

This was written well—though sometimes I found the anecdotal descriptions a little tedious or obvious.

The book is funny, direct, and for the most part, I agree with a lot of Mark Manson's ideas.

However, after listening to the book once, it seemed like his point was: "Your problems aren't that bad; don't be narcissistic; get over it." But there are some issues that are much more complicated than that—and the cause and/or result of all problems can't just be roped into selfishness, narcissism, and immaturity. Granted, these can be causes/results of behavior, but the view is limited.

In my opinion, this book is helpful for getting through the day to day minutiae and trivial problems we have in relationships and business, and perhaps not in-depth enough for those with more deep-seated issues or trauma.

All in all, this book is worth a read, if not for the entertainment value alone, but also for a crash course in how to not be a big baby about things that don't really matter in the long run. It's a good introduction into some older philosophical and religious concepts as well.

I think The Subtle Art... might have had more impact upon me if I was 20-something instead of 59-years-old. The language isn't really an issue (it just becomes another word that doesn't even seem to have much meaning); it's more that Manson is repetitive and doesn't offer anything original that most people haven't learned for themselves in a few decades of experience. For me, the same ideas are expressed much more elegantly, cogently, and thoroughly in The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking by Oliver Burkeman.

It was basically the same point over and over.

No

The audio of this book was fantastic.

This must be a book for the intellectually challenged. He takes the Buddhist concept of suffering being the central element of life and the acceptance of this in the 21st century then hits you on the head with it for many hours. This epiphany comes after many years apparently getting it wrong and now at the sage age of 30 he rediscovers it like an undergrad sophomore and should perhaps reread his book again. Anyone who purports to get it, doesn't get it.

I really don't understand the massive number of 5 star reviews. There really was not anything in here for someone unless you are completely devolved of common sense. I just could not finish it.

This book has a funny and intriguing title. And Audible’s editors declared it the best self development title of 2016. So, I bought it.

The book sets out a more or less complete philosophy of life. Given this, I assumed the author had lived a long life, learned and relearned profound lessons, and was at a point where he could distill which lessons were truly the most valuable.

The book starts off strong with some interesting ideas. But its assertions seem to get weaker and more debatable as the book progresses. By the end, it felt to me as if the book had lost its way.

About halfway through I found myself wondering whether my assumptions about the author were correct. I checked. Nope. He’s just a smidgen over 30.

What leads a person just out of his 20s to decide he’s qualified to instruct everyone else how they should best live their lives, I don’t know. I finally lost all faith in the author when he quoted Timothy Ferriss.

Mark Manson, no. Roger Wayne as narrator was good I would listen to his narrations.

Full of premises and thesis that we as readers/listeners are supposed to take in as truths without much evidence. His supports all come from anecdotes and lacks real methodology behind his ideas. The author is also in his 30s, its a bit hard for someone with still many more years of experience ahead to be telling others how to live life. It's almost like listening to a teenager for marriage advice, where's the background and proof to these assumptions that we are supposed to take as truths? There really isn't anything new here; everything is just a retelling of cliche ideas like being true to yourself etc. The entire thing just spins into a seminar about how to live life when I thought the book was about how not to give a fuck.

None. The story about Dave Mustaine was kind of entertaining.

Not really.

If you've read other self help books skip this one. If you're over 30 skip this one.

He puts a few things in perspective. That is it.

I really think his message could be dangerous for some type of minds. I initially liked his approach, but at the end of the day he seems to be putting a damper on wanting life to be great. He makes life seems as though it will suck most of the time so you need to find joy or "feel goods" in the most simplistic aspects of life, therefore, lower your expectations and have less stress until you die. He has a refreshing take on some things in the beginning, but then it fizzles bad to me after chapter 4. I will admit that my take is probably extreme, but in all, it's still accurate. He says some good stuff, but there is nothing wrong with striving for success and trying to be the best you possible.

Roger Wayne was a great narrator.

Unless you are lazy and want reassurance that it's okay to be mediocre in life, this book is not for you.

5 hours of complete garbage. Sorry. How do books like this receive 4.7 star average ratings? In all honesty, I don't think that even the author knows what message he's trying to deliver.

The book in a nutshell - "Don't bother trying, life is shit anyway. The people who don't care and don't try are the ones that succeed" What a load of horse sh...

If you know anybody who you consider successful, ask them if they got to where they are by trying or not trying. That said, I think you already know the answer.