Customer Reviews

Whatever Makes You Happy: A Novel

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a beautifully written, finely drawn book -- not to be missed! Grunwald's prose is luminous, and her storytelling sublime. The reader cannot help laughing out loud at the many hilarious moments, and Sally's complicated internal struggle to figure out what makes her happy holds your attention rapt until the very last page. This is a book that you cannot put down, because Grunwald creates such an intense feeling of intimacy with Sally that you cannot bear to stop reading until you find out her fate. Interspersing the narrative with Sally's own research for her book on the history of happiness is a stroke of genius on Grunwald's part, and these sections add levity and nuance to an already profound novel about the human condition. This is a great book by a great writer.

This book is very real and compelling. It's like it's an old friend sitting with you telling you a poignant tale while you both sip tea. Anyone who has ever struggled with what it means for you to be personally happy, what happiness means to you, will enjoy this book. I've had some of the same thoughts and feelings that the fictional Sally Farber has, but this is the first book I've seen to detail these issues in such a tangible, creative way. You won't want to put the book down and the reading is effortless. You also will learn about recent scientific studies on happiness, as Sally researches her book on happiness, which is great but doesn't at all feel like you're reading anything close to a textbook. It's a book about an author struggling to write a book on happiness as she struggles with the issue in her own life. This book is a true gem.

Sally Farber is researching a book she is commissioned to write on "Happiness" - a mother of two, a successful writer, and wife to a successful doctor - seemingly she "has it all," yet surprisingly she is the furthest from happiness herself. We sift through insurmountable research and definitions of happiness with her; retracing happiness in her childhood, searching all corners of society for a real definition, from the laughter institute to therapy, philosophical theories to infidelity. "What if happiness is pleasure?" Sally asks herself, and subsequently embarks on a lusty affair exploring the world of unadulterated, thoughtless pleasure and instant self gratification.

Is contentment happiness or resignation wearing a funny hat? To see Sally's difficulty with the topic, her own insurmountable questions, growing inner confusion and subsequent struggle with it, is so very accurate a reflection of today's generation. As Grunwald eloquently notes, people today "still [think] they need something else."

Poignant, well crafted, researched, thoughtful, insightful, clever: Grunwald shows us a definition of happiness that does not lie in acquiring the next thing, wanting what "she" has, seeking out the next sexual conquest, or finding answers with a therapist - happiness, real happiness, is "something between the sea and the tiger [that] sounds like a good idea." (213)

Magnificent work, Grunwald.

Books are our friends. We all know that or we wouldn't be here, reading reviews written by strangers, wandering around amazon.com looking for something new and interesting to read. This book is like it's written by a friend. I read an earlier book by Lisa Grunwald many years ago and never forgot how much I liked it. When I discovered WHATEVER MAKES YOU HAPPY, I was excited by the prospect of it and was not disappointed.

A simple concept - the main character, Sally, is an author writing a book about happiness. This came into my life at a good time because I've been trying to understand the people who I am getting to know in this strange state I moved to a few years ago (New Jersey). "Are these people happy?" I was wondering. "Are they just moody?" The quotes found scattered throughout this book and the story of what Sally goes through didn't actually answer any questions for me, but it did make me believe that happiness really is found inside of us and if it isn't there, it won't be anywhere. OR maybe that's too simple, in and of itself.

This is a book that you will probably enjoy if you like reading about people's lives as I do. I don't need everything to be deep and moving, but I do like things that are honest and reflective of what's inside many of us and this book fits the bill on that.

I originally checked this book out from the library, because of an intriguing magazine review I had read. As another reviewer has said, the story is deceptively simple, but the author sneaks in the most moving profundities regarding what constitutes happiness. I was so enthralled that after returning the book to the library, I hurried to purchase my own copy, so I could refer to all the wisdom whenever I needed to be reminded what might make me happy!

Then I proceeded to read others of Lisa Grunwald's books, and each one has it's own profound message. I am amazed that a woman so young has so much insight into the human condition. Needless to say, she writes about it incredibly well. And one comes to truly love her characters and root for their quests for meaning in life.

When I picked up "Whatever Makes You Happy" I was under the impression, from the cover and synopsis, that it was simply a juicy and fun read. But the amazing thing is that though it is enjoyable, it is also wise, poignant, and in its own way, unpredictable. I felt myself engaged with Sally's personal journey as well as the rest of her cast of characters. The plot in itself is simple, but the language and characters are something totally unique. I found myself very, very pleasantly surprised. Lisa Grunwald is able to combine a great read with a great work of literature, and that is astonishing. She inspires me and will inspire all her readers to discover whatever makes US happy.

but in actuality, this book is deceptively deep and insightful! Wrapped in a captivating story (which i won't reiterate as others before me have written good synopses of it) , with a truly interesting main character, are hidden gems, universal messages about the nature of happiness and the human search for "it".

I have struggled with this for years, trying to find, keep, hold, manage, control my own happiness and it was so special to find these fictional characters were going through the same issues. The people in the book were so real to me! I not only had 2 days of enjoyment ( happiness!) reading the book, but I felt so reassured and comforted , this search is part of the human condition. Lisa Grunwald is an amazing writer who can not only tell a great story with such vivid characters, but she can convey our human desires for happiness ,often looked for in places that aren't healthy...till we learn... This is a wonderful book and I can not recommend it enough,

one I want to buy for friends and family.

- Its hard to be emphathetic towards a protagonist who's depressed and decides to have an affair when she already has a great husband, two healthy children and no financial worries.

Two stars because the addition of the "history of happiness" (research for a book she is writing) was interesting.

Lisa Grunwald's novels are a rare find and Whatever Makes You Happy is no exception! Her characters are so real, yet they grab hold of us as they go through their lives in surprising and interesting ways. Grunwald brings new life to ordinary human relationships and keeps us guessing all the way. Whatever Makes You Happy wraps you in a world where you care deeply about the characters, but are able to explore with them the larger issues of happiness, love, faith and hope that she eloquently introduces. Brava!

This is a great read- the best example of the complications of women's lives and the exotic pull of an affair. Grunwald shows how the ghosts of parents and the familiarity of one's own childhood can take you in directions that you never expected. Very well crafted.