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The Geography of Blissby Eric Weiner |
Gail Reid: This book's subtitle "One Grump's
Search for the Happiest Places in the World" accurately reflects the
author, a self-described curmudgeon and his mission to find out what
and where constitutes happiness. He mixes his observations with
some statistical research, psychological and philosophical musings
and the dry sense of humor that we come to expect from an NPR
commentator. It is not until the last chapter that we learn the
common boundaries that make up happiness. However, along the way,
we visit England, Qatar, Iceland, Thailand, India, Moldavia,
Switzerland and the Netherlands. People in Iceland are very
happy in spite of the fact that it is often dark all day.
People in Qatar are financially well off but the entire culture
is imported from places beyond this oil-rich desert. Moldavia has nothing
to recommend it other than the "freshest fruits and vegetables"! The
author's constant attempt at wittiness was annoying as was his overall
crankiness. If I could find a publisher willing to subsidize my world-wide
travel, I think I could instill a little more joie de vive into a geography
of happiness!
Rating: ***
