Very Good Lives by J K Rowling : A Review

BOOK TITLE: Very Good Lives: The Fringe Benefits of Failure and the Importance of Imagination

AUTHOR: Joanne Kathleen Rowling

ISBN/ASIN: 9780316369152 / B00QH2I5DE

GENRE: Non-Fiction / Communication and Journalism / Speeches

NUMBER OF PAGES: 81

FORMAT: Digital

SERIES / STANDALONE: Standalone

HOW I GOT THIS BOOK: A treasured gift from a friend.

SUMMARY:

J.K. Rowling, one of the world's most inspiring writers, shares her wisdom and advice in this artfully illustrated book.

In 2008, J.K. Rowling delivered a deeply affecting commencement speech at Harvard University. Now published for the first time in book form, Very Good Lives offers J.K. Rowling's words of wisdom for anyone at a turning point in life, asking the profound and provocative questions: How can we embrace failure? And how can we use our imagination to better both ourselves and others?

Drawing from stories of her own post-graduate years, the world-famous author addresses some of life's most important issues with acuity and emotional force.

FIRST IMPRESSION:

I have always been a fan of the Harry Potter series. To say it defined a huge part of my childhood is not an exaggeration. I have, however, not liked the author's other books very much. Especially those that did not belong to the Harry Potter world. I have found the Harry Potter series to be inspiring, giving me life lessons to use in many instances. More than the story itself, the words from JKR were so profound and moving that I remember quotes from the books verbatim. She is affectionately hailed as the queen of writing because of her beautiful writing style and inspiring personal life story that is the typical rags-to-riches tale.

My admiration of the woman extends towards both her words and her personal story, at least the part of which is known to the general public. Which was why I was very eager to read this speech of hers. This book has been in my TBR for a long time now and I finally got to read it thanks to my fellow bookworm, Vinay Leo R. 

REVIEW:

Very Good Lives - easily one of the shortest books I have read. I finished it at a stretch, in under half an hour and I was still moved by a lot of words in it, that seemed to go deep into my heart and settle there. The book is very short but worth its weight in gold if you are ready to read and listen to inspiring words. The transcript of her famous speech to Harvard graduates speaks not only of her success but also of her path to it. JK Rowling as a person has achieved phenomenal success in the profession she has chosen, enough to be a role model who inspired a generation. But her path to this success has been one of failure and abject sorrow, as she is not ashamed to say out loud. Her success stories are inspiring because they are built on a series of failures. In this speech, she highlights all that and proves to the audience that the worst of lives can sometimes turn the best of them with enough perseverance and hard work.

The speech itself is short, pretty much the only complaint I have about it. But other than that it is peppered with words that can be noted and taken back as life lessons. It is disarmingly honest, clearly articulated and definitely captivating. Even for those who do not know her writing style or have not read her other works, the book will be an interesting read for two reasons - for the content that gives an insight into her struggles and mindset and for the wit and humour she interlaces her words with. Anyone who follows the author in the digital world will see instances of her wit in every issue that calls for international attention and the beautiful camaraderie she shares with her fans across the world.

The books is a must read for those people who like to read speeches by famous personalities. It is also a must read for JKR's fans. I would recommend the book even for those who are neither but would still love to read a book which is inspiring and thought provoking.

Here are my favorite quotes from the book

A very relevant quote on the mindset of parents. Especially those who force their children into careers that make money instead of those they are passionate about.

[My parents thought]...my overactive imagination was an amusing personal quirk that would never pay a mortgage or secure a pension. I know that the irony strikes with the force of a cartoon anvil now.

On children claiming responsibility for their own life choices (Which is equally important)

There is an expiration date on blaming your parents for steering you in the wrong direction; the moment you are old enough to take the wheel, responsibility lies with you.

On the societal standards regarding success and failure

Ultimately we all have to decide for ourselves what constitutes failure, but the world is quite eager to give you a set of criteria, if you let it.

On finding one's 'true calling' (this is more of a personally relevant quote)

Had I really succeeded at any- thing else, I might never have found the determination to succeed in the one arena where I believed I truly belonged.

On adversities and relationships. (another personal favorite)

You will never truly know yourself, or the strength of your relationships, until both have been tested by adversity.

A very important life advice

[One's]... personal happiness lies in knowing that life is not a checklist of acquisition or achievement.

On the power of imagination

[Imagination] is the power that enables us to empathize with humans whose experiences we have never shared.

On those who close their eyes to pain and suffering of others

Choosing to live in narrow spaces leads to a form of mental agoraphobia, and that brings its own terrors. I think the willfully unimaginative see more monsters.

WHAT I LIKED:

• The writing style that was so familiar and took me back to those books I loved
• The beautiful and disarming honesty in the speech that touched my heart
• The quotes I will take back from the book, as is usual with her.

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER:

• The book is too short (Yes I understand it is the transcript of a speech, but still)
• The pricing seems more like a marketing on the brand name that is JKR rather than the content. Would be a major complaint if not for the cause for which the proceeds go to.
• Valued more as a collector's material rather than an individual text - the book should reach more people who are not her fans.

VERDICT:

Must read for those who love the author and her words. Definitely a great read for others too, inspiring and very witty as is her usual style.

RATING: 4/5 (Points knocked down for the length and pricing. The content is too good.)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

J.K. Rowling is the author of the bestselling Harry Potter series of seven books published between 1997 and 2007 which have sold over 450 million copies worldwide are distributed in more than 200 territories translated into 73 languages and have been turned into eight blockbuster films. She has also written two small volumes which appear as the titles of Harry's schoolbooks within the novels. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and Quidditch Through the Ages were published by Bloomsbury Children's Books in March 2001 in aid of Comic Relief. In December 2008 The Tales of Beedle the Bard was published in aid of the Children's High Level Group and quickly became the fastest selling book of the year.

EDITIONS AVAILABLE: Kindle, Hardcover

PRICE Rs. 291.65 for Kindle, Rs. 307 for Hardcover

BOOK LINKS: Amazon