Customer Reviews

Hyper-chondriac: One Man's Quest to Hurry Up and Calm Down

5 star:		(65)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

You know that feeling when you start a book and spend an entire weekend reading it cover to cover, not wanting to stop to put it down for a second? Within the first couple of chapters, I came across Brian Frazer's hilarious, self-deprecating description of competing in his first bodybuilding contest, slathered in oil in his Speedo, and I was hooked. Then he broke it all down...

This is a brutally, painfully, and wonderfully honest depiction of a journey to gain inner peace and all of the things that make us nuts to begin with. By the end, I was deeply moved and sad it was over. I recommend this book to anyone who wants a smart, engaging, manic ride. Expect to laugh.

Okay, I'm a sucker for a memoir but let's face it, a lot of them are not great and most of them are not funny. Somehow Brian Frazer managed to hit the trifecta of painfully honest, brave and hilarious on his quest to stop being so angry all the time. Personally I related to this book a little too much - Zoloft, irrational irritation and a desire to get better were themes of mine as well. But I definitely didn't go to the lengths that Brian did. He shares stories of silence retreats, Tai Chi with old people, therapy and other undignified ways to spend an afternoon with such rare humor that you will find yourself laughing out loud even if you can't relate at all.

I highly recommend this book and if you don't love it, you can personally ask for your money back from Brian Frazer. He's so calm now I'm sure he'd give it to you. Okay, maybe not. But buy the book.

It feels so good to laugh as hard I laughed while reading this book, I wish I encountered something this funny every day. I kept reading parts of this book aloud to my boyfriend and we were both laughing so hard we were CRYING. Crying! I actually had to set the book down several times to wipe my eyes. What's also great is that it goes from being extremely funny to extremely moving. His account of his family's dysfunction is touching and funny and even though his childhood was unusual--even bizarre--it was totally relateable. This book does that thing that every great book does--it explores and exposes "the human condition", it reveals what it means to be alive--questioning and searching, trying to find solutions, trying to avoid suffering. I wish I could get this book for everyone I know. It ranks up there with the best humor writing, and it's as deep and revealing as any "serious" stuff I've read. Even though this book is brand new, I already think of it as a classic.

This is an amazing book -- a ruthless self-dissection that's relentlessly hilarious. The most striking thing is that as bizarre as Brian Frazer's quests and adventures were, I related to them all. That's what really made Hyper-chondriac so engaging -- under the nearly constant laughter and frequent astonishment, I really found myself empathizing and sympathizing and rooting for him. There were several chunks I had to stop and read to friends over the phone, and they were in stitches too. Funny, poignant, and startlingly honest -- what more can you ask for in a memoir, or any book? Five stars -- highly recommended.

Brian Frazer has written a hilarious tour de force! A quest for inner peace, "Hyper-chondriac" describes a personal desperation mirrored in our frenzied society. From pharmaceuticals to New Age therapies, Frazer seeks release from his own escalating neuroses. His saving grace is the black humor that is always at a proper dosage throughout this fine memoir. Frazer had me laughing out loud and physically wincing. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

I feel like there have been a lot of great memoirs written over the years, that it's hard to stand out in the pack. Memoirs like, "The Liars' Club", "Running With Scissors", "Angela's Ashes", "Fun House" (and my favorite, "Stop-Time" -- written more than 20 years ago by Frank Conroy) are so excellent that the bar has been set high. But this book manages to stand out, mainly because the author has something unique, yet utterly universal, to say. Not only about his own life (which is very funny, shocking, at times) -- but also about our culture in general. The book feels modern and present, working on various levels. But it packs a punch when you least expect it, and I found my jaw dropping, not knowing whether to laugh out loud, cringe, or cry. I think it was Patricia Hampl that compared great memoir writing to great travel writing, and this book captures that spirit. There's a sense of traveling, rushing from place to place. The author takes us on this wild vivid ride, and I felt like a trusted travel companion, who learned something along the way.

The true mark of a great memoir is its singularity in focus coupled with a collective gasp of recognition. Which is exactly what Brian Frazer's Hyper-chondriac has achieved. If you feel there are tons of choices in finding the path to happiness, you're not alone. Whether it's tai chi, Zoloft or good 'ol pumping iron, Hyper-chondriac takes a scalpel to inner peace panaceas and dissects them until they are inside out and bleeding with humor. While Brian holds a magnifying glass to ways we try and fix ourselves, we realize that there may not be a whole lot wrong. Or maybe there's something wrong with all of us...

Brian Frazer writes with honesty and from his heart about himself and his relationships. He's flawed, relatable and laugh out loud funny. In fact, I've never laughed so hard when reading... and it's so incredibly touching that I was tearing up at the end. A very fulfilling read - it's going to be a bestseller in no time. This book is my official birthday and holiday present to all my friends and relatives for the next year!!

Brian Frazer's autobiography is funny in a lovable and genuine way. He has a way of making the reader enjoy the ride as he tries absolutely anything to self improve. The result is sweet and sour. He's not afraid to be vulnerable and thoughtful, despite (and because of), his anger and stress, even when exposing those who have contributed to his neurosis and health problems, which makes for a multilayered and fascinating character study. Oh yeah, and it's damn funny, too!

I consider myself a somewhat neurotic guy. After reading this book, I feel like the most sane person in the world. Brian Frazer has tons of issues... and thankfully he's brave enough to share them all in this frank and wickedly funny book. If you have a friend who's always complaining about how screwed up their life is, you need to buy them this book. Once they see the world through Brian's twisted, comical and candid eyes, they'll have a whole new positive outlook on their own life.