Book Review: Man's search for Meaning

Man's search for Meaning by Victor E. Frankl

Quote: "It did not really matter what we expected from life, but rather what life expected from us. We needed to stop asking about the meaning of life, and instead to think of ourselves as those who were being questioned by life - daily and hourly. Our answer must consist, not in talk and meditation, but in right action and in right conduct. Life ultimately means taking the responsibility to find the right answer to its problems and to fulfill the tasks which it constantly sets for each individual."

Plot: This book is a memoir of Victor E. Frankl's life in the Nazi death camps. Based on his own experiences, he argues in the book that we cannot avoid suffering however, we can choose how to cope with it, find meaning in it and move forward anyway. Describing more about his theory, that is, Logotherapy, he convicts that the primary human motivation is not pleasure but pursuing what we find meaningful in our lives. The book has continued to inspire thousands of readers throughout the years.       

My Personal Views: I probably should not say this, but I have had a deep interest in the events of the Holocaust since I got to know about it. I always wanted to know about the people who survived the heart-wrenching event.

After I read the book, I knew I would never look at the prospect of life the same. To be able to go through so much devastation and still look at life with a smile on your face? Only a few people are able to do that. In the book, Frankl said, that he wanted to survive for his wife, with the hope that he might be able to see his wife again one day. 

Through this book, Frankl wanted to convey that people who can find meaning in their suffering are the only people who can find the strength to move forward. As Frankl said in the book & I quote, "Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way."

In the book, Frankl also talks about his theory, Logotherapy, and how it can really help people find meaning in their life. Frankl also gives examples of his patients and how he helped them overcome their challenges in life. 

I would really recommend people read this book. This one is truly my favourite and has given me a whole different perspective on life.  

To be able to still see good in the world despite all the darkness in one's life, now that takes courage.

Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/ 5