Happiness: Or Generica

I adored this book on a range of levels. It begins with a sarcastic take on the book publishing industry. Soon, however, it delves into a take on Self-Help with a singularly interesting premise: what if there was a self-help title that worked completely? If everyone quit smoking, found happiness, fulfilled joyful lives, and a great sex life to boot.

Simply, the western world falls apart.

This is wit, not humour, and social commentary abounds with acidic sarcasm. It was a riot to read this.

I picked up this book about two years ago, largely because the cover caught my eye. The first 50 pages or so were kind of ho hum, but then at a certain point I was completely transfixed. At many points I actually found myself laughing out loud, tears forming in my eyes because of the overwhelming joy of it all. Even to this day when I'm feeling blue, I think of it and smile...

I picked this book up by chance at the airport bookstore at the start of a Caribbean vacation in 2002. When I started it, after about 50 pages I almost put it down thinking it was one of the dumbest things I had ever read. Being that I didn't have many other entertainment options on this particular trip, I kept reading. When I finished I was a changed man. It is an awe inspiring read that touches you in ways you do not see coming. Here we are 3 years later and I still talk about the book to people. How many books can you say that about? Typically, I am a John Irving-type of reader, and John Irving would never write this...but there's just something in the sentiment that you cannot let go of, not will you want to. Give it a try.

This is seriously the best book I have ever read!!!

This was a lot of fun. Ferguson has a way with words that let's him be poignant and rude at the same time. The storyline is brilliant and imaginative. Parts of the dialogue, however, seem a little forced and unnatural. None the less, this was funny and insightful.

If you were rolling on the floor laughing after reading How to Be a Canadian , then you absolutely have to rush out and purchase Happiness .

I found myself in places laughing out loud, sometimes at the simple absurdity of situations that the main character, Edwin De Valu, found himself in. This book is a definite must read for anyone who loves Will Ferguson, or who just scoff at the useless self-help books out there.