How I Became Stupid
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I've just read this in the original French as "Comment je suis devenu stupide" (trying to improve my grasp of the language and it's good to read short novels!) and thought it was refreshing. The central character, Antoine, is convinced that he's unhappy because he overthinks everything and his mind hyperactively tries to understand everything; he believes that stupid people are much happier and thinks that if he can only become stupid himself, it will solve his problems.
There's a fair amount of the whimsical and (deliberately) ridiculous in this account of what happens but I found that charming and engaging (like Antoine's character) and the characters' debates about life and happiness are very creative (and very French, I think - I don't think you could imagine an English author writing this book).
I'd have given this five stars if it hadn't been for the slappable character who appears at the end but maybe that's just me! If you're studying at 'A' level or similar, why not order this in French from French Amazon - it will stretch you a bit on vocabulary (which is a good thing) but it's a fun read and will reward you!
There's a fair amount of the whimsical and (deliberately) ridiculous in this account of what happens but I found that charming and engaging (like Antoine's character) and the characters' debates about life and happiness are very creative (and very French, I think - I don't think you could imagine an English author writing this book).
I'd have given this five stars if it hadn't been for the slappable character who appears at the end but maybe that's just me! If you're studying at 'A' level or similar, why not order this in French from French Amazon - it will stretch you a bit on vocabulary (which is a good thing) but it's a fun read and will reward you!
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
How I became stupid tells the story of a young man weighed down by the pressures of his intelligence, and his battle to find the simpler form of happiness he sees all around him. Cue failed alcoholism, an adult-learning class in suicide, coffee-spill induced stock market success, the trappings of consumerism and, eventually a sense of contentment. But is it his new life that offers him this, or the friends he has left behind? This internationally successful Cult novel is a hilarious indictment of life, every bit as insightful as Brett Easton Ellis, without that smug, self satisfied arrogance. This is a book for a summer trip, easily readable, short and accessible, you cannot go wrong with this.
Format:Paperback
In fact, I did. I sat down in a comfy leather chair in Waterstones Picadilly and got through it in no time. So it's a page turner and quite quaffable, that said it doesn't quite pan out satisfactorily. The bloke seems to be prescribed Prozac (called Happyzac for some reason in the book) and suddenly his world, hitherto depressed and complicated, slips into gear. Well, if only life were that simple. There are some nice insights however, in the difference between those who live individual lives that don't follow a blueprint and those who go with the flow and fit in with everyone else, saving themselves a lot of energy.
It can't be taken as realistic though; a guy who can only read books by tearing pages out one at a time in a bookshop and taking them home would not be able to afford taking up alcoholism, and it's not exactly hard to commit suicide, as he seems to find out in his next venture. And I don't imagine one can just effortlessly turn his hand to his next venture... And such a supposed loser wouldn't have a bunch of friend to rally round and take an interest in him, surely... But there are nice insights, as I say, in novel form.
It can't be taken as realistic though; a guy who can only read books by tearing pages out one at a time in a bookshop and taking them home would not be able to afford taking up alcoholism, and it's not exactly hard to commit suicide, as he seems to find out in his next venture. And I don't imagine one can just effortlessly turn his hand to his next venture... And such a supposed loser wouldn't have a bunch of friend to rally round and take an interest in him, surely... But there are nice insights, as I say, in novel form.
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