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Ollie's Reviews > The Secret
The Secret (The Secret, #1)
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I'm sure this book only exists thanks to The Da Vinci Code. Sensing a public interest in ancient "secrets" passed down to modern times, the publishers of this awful piece of self-help decided they could market Rhonda Byrne's book and make a killing. They were not wrong. In Brasil, it's spreading like an Old World plague: the film tie-in is always rented out in videostores, and the book is in the top 10 bestseller list. Swept up by its popularity, my mom brought a copy home.
Much like George Bush Jr., this book is equal parts stupid and disturbing. The stupid part comes in its mind-boggling belief that anything you ask from the Universe will become true, that everyone deserves (and should) pursue their most selfish desires in order to be happy. Want big boobs? Ask the Universe and you will get it. Want a great parking space at the shopping mall? The Universe will help you like a genie in a bottle. Knowledge found in Eastern religions such as Buddhism (e.g. Karma) are simplified and described as a "secret" that only the elite are aware of.
The disturbing part comes in statements such as the one, early in the book, that says people killed in disasters or crimes brought it upon themselves. According to this book's reasoning, if you find yourself gassed to death with millions of other people it's because you were following negative thoughts and unable to see the Universe's path to your salvation. This is, at least, the conclusion I draw from the book's teachings. It shifts blame from other people, or life's chaos, onto yourself. Contracted cancer? Your fault. Robbed and shot in the head? Your fault. Became a millionaire? You are in tune with the Universe.
Much like The Da Vinci Code I couldn't make it past page 60. Be very wary of anyone that likes this book.
Much like George Bush Jr., this book is equal parts stupid and disturbing. The stupid part comes in its mind-boggling belief that anything you ask from the Universe will become true, that everyone deserves (and should) pursue their most selfish desires in order to be happy. Want big boobs? Ask the Universe and you will get it. Want a great parking space at the shopping mall? The Universe will help you like a genie in a bottle. Knowledge found in Eastern religions such as Buddhism (e.g. Karma) are simplified and described as a "secret" that only the elite are aware of.
The disturbing part comes in statements such as the one, early in the book, that says people killed in disasters or crimes brought it upon themselves. According to this book's reasoning, if you find yourself gassed to death with millions of other people it's because you were following negative thoughts and unable to see the Universe's path to your salvation. This is, at least, the conclusion I draw from the book's teachings. It shifts blame from other people, or life's chaos, onto yourself. Contracted cancer? Your fault. Robbed and shot in the head? Your fault. Became a millionaire? You are in tune with the Universe.
Much like The Da Vinci Code I couldn't make it past page 60. Be very wary of anyone that likes this book.
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Reading Progress
Started Reading
August 1, 2007
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Finished Reading
November 26, 2007
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Ravenskya
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rated it 1 star
May 07, 2008 12:53PM
At least I'm not alone in my opinion of it... when it started in on how natural disasters were caused by negative thinking I wanted to hunt the author down and slap her.
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Absolutely! I find it very shocking how many people lapped it up.
I feel like this particular brand of new age insanity is encroaching on every aspect of American life. Last semester my "textbook" for Public Speaking was very much this "wish it and it will come to you" piece of garbage, written for narcissists who want love and attention. This semester, my health "textbook" is much the same. It makes similar implications about personal responsibility when a person is struck down with illness. All you have to do is visualize good health and it will come to you, apparently. So far there is nothing remotely scientific in this class. It's all new age mumbo jumbo.
The other day, I spied a copy of The Secret in the bag of one of the corporate bigwigs at my workplace. They are all into Scientology and the Landmark Forum, so I guess it makes sense they're utilizing whatever advice exists in this book, too, in order to improve their skills of social manipulation and thus their success.
The other day, I spied a copy of The Secret in the bag of one of the corporate bigwigs at my workplace. They are all into Scientology and the Landmark Forum, so I guess it makes sense they're utilizing whatever advice exists in this book, too, in order to improve their skills of social manipulation and thus their success.
The whole aspect of someone having personal responsibility for their misfortunes is a worrying one. It reminds me of how the British and the American government now paint the Iraqui people as the creators of their own troubles. I didn't think The Secret would be a hit over here, but I was wrong - though The God Delusion is also on the top ten list, so maybe it just means that people are buying it out of curiosity and not necessarily because they believe that crap.
thank for the review, you surely confirm what I suspected about it!
Thanks for review , I agree completely
At least Da Vinci Code was fiction....
