I loved this Clara! Idk if I'll ever read Perfection - I wanted to, then I didn't, now I don't know - but this review made me think of something I heard once and tell myself ALL THE TIME which is - there are no 'right' or 'wrong' choices, there are just choices, and you have to pick one. It makes my life 3% easier x
literally it’s LIFE CHANGING knowledge that sets u free from anguish. you can reflect on whether something was right or wrong sometime after you’ve made the choice - everything is nicer in retrospect
Phew this review got me. You pretty much captured the underlying, subconscious internal monologue I have of “what am I actually doing, does this matter, what’s within my control to carve any meaning or purpose or lasting joy from these days” (especially when the smoke from the world burning clogs my eyes from seeing little that’s redeemable of this millennial professional life). What’s the antidote?? (Personally I’m throwing monthly dinner parties as a way to connect, create, and build community). Open to others ideas!
My husband and I both read this book and we haven’t stopped talking about it ever since. It really stays with you. One aspect of it that felt really personal to us was that we always have had this lingering worry that we made a mistake to make a life in Memphis, TN which is a minor American city… We feel so “on the periphery” of things sometimes. But reading Perfection made us wonder if, in fact, being away from various centres of “cool” has not been exactly the thing that has preserved our sense of self - both individually and as a couple.
Clara, I know that I sound like a broken record, but please read The Anthropologists by Aysegul Savas next. It’s a perfect counterpoint to Perfection - same questions, very different takes…
yes, i think being on the "periphery" is sometimes key to building a real life tbh! and The Anthropologists is so fully on my list, i just need to dial back on the existentialism for a *second* before i dip back into it! a girl's only got so many crises allotted to her per season! x
I have a habit of reading things about books from people whose opinions I respect (hi! you're on that list), reserving said books at the library, and then when my reserve reaches the top of the queue weeks later, having ZERO memory of why I reserved the book. Very happy to have a reminder in your most recent newsletter of why this book is in my reading pile
loved this!!! i've been curious about this book. immediately wanted to judge and/or roll my eyes at anna and tom but might as well pull out the mirror instead. there are a million choices we can make, probably none of which are right or wrong, but it doesn't help the existential dread does it 🥲 sounds like it is good this book is short, honestly
I loved this Clara! Idk if I'll ever read Perfection - I wanted to, then I didn't, now I don't know - but this review made me think of something I heard once and tell myself ALL THE TIME which is - there are no 'right' or 'wrong' choices, there are just choices, and you have to pick one. It makes my life 3% easier x
br*b*, tattooing this on my forehead, friend!! and i would love to hear your take on Perfection if you ever did read it! x
literally it’s LIFE CHANGING knowledge that sets u free from anguish. you can reflect on whether something was right or wrong sometime after you’ve made the choice - everything is nicer in retrospect
Phew this review got me. You pretty much captured the underlying, subconscious internal monologue I have of “what am I actually doing, does this matter, what’s within my control to carve any meaning or purpose or lasting joy from these days” (especially when the smoke from the world burning clogs my eyes from seeing little that’s redeemable of this millennial professional life). What’s the antidote?? (Personally I’m throwing monthly dinner parties as a way to connect, create, and build community). Open to others ideas!
thank you so much for reading, Eleanor! i personally love a dinner party so i think that's fab <3
Well I went ahead and picked up a copy. Really looking forward to some extra sparkly existential pain.
i'm so glad, Lauren!! i think you'll enjoy (?) it, keep me posted! x
Your good words evoke (in me) the SNL classic Adam Sandler take on Perillo Tours: https://youtu.be/TbwlC2B-BIg?si=P0qbMiQRCMMS6C6A
words i don't usually hear, Mark!
My husband and I both read this book and we haven’t stopped talking about it ever since. It really stays with you. One aspect of it that felt really personal to us was that we always have had this lingering worry that we made a mistake to make a life in Memphis, TN which is a minor American city… We feel so “on the periphery” of things sometimes. But reading Perfection made us wonder if, in fact, being away from various centres of “cool” has not been exactly the thing that has preserved our sense of self - both individually and as a couple.
Clara, I know that I sound like a broken record, but please read The Anthropologists by Aysegul Savas next. It’s a perfect counterpoint to Perfection - same questions, very different takes…
yes, i think being on the "periphery" is sometimes key to building a real life tbh! and The Anthropologists is so fully on my list, i just need to dial back on the existentialism for a *second* before i dip back into it! a girl's only got so many crises allotted to her per season! x
I have a habit of reading things about books from people whose opinions I respect (hi! you're on that list), reserving said books at the library, and then when my reserve reaches the top of the queue weeks later, having ZERO memory of why I reserved the book. Very happy to have a reminder in your most recent newsletter of why this book is in my reading pile
loved this!!! i've been curious about this book. immediately wanted to judge and/or roll my eyes at anna and tom but might as well pull out the mirror instead. there are a million choices we can make, probably none of which are right or wrong, but it doesn't help the existential dread does it 🥲 sounds like it is good this book is short, honestly