A Book of Secrets: Finding Solace in a Stubborn World

Picked this up after seeing Derren's 'Showman', and it's an excellent corollary to that performance. If you're yet to see that show and you've already bought this book I'd highly recommend waiting until you've seen him before you crack this open.Having not read any of Brown's previous efforts I can't place this in the canon, but the show was unexpectedly thoughtful and moving, and thought this might expand on some of the themes explored there. On that count, it doesn't disappoint. As someone who lost a parent to COVID-19 last year some of the writing in this book elucidated things I've been feeling, but haven't been found a way to express. I won't go into much more detail - that would be to ruin some of the effect - but suffice it to say that there are consolations to be found in some of the most surprising places out there. Even, sometimes, when you don't really know it.A few reviewers have mentioned the style of Brown's writing. It is noticeably flowery at times, but the man is a consummate performer, and this book feels like a performance of a sort, like a one-man show in words. And the arc it takes you on, from Broadway to Sainsbury's, is always eminently relatable, even if you're not the type of person who spends their days working out how best to pull the wool over the eyes of others.To some degree we're all tricksters, misdirecting even ourselves if it means taking the path of least resistance. What this book helps you realise is how universal that feeling is, that niggling that tells us things are not quite right if they're not how we imagine they should be. And how, despite being more effort, it probably is worth taking the time to push through all of that, and to consider a full life as opposed to a merely "good" one.So, in summary - if you've seen his latest show this will deepen and expand that experience, and if you don't intend to see it this is a great read, especially if you're ludicrously busy and want to take something in parts.It came at the right time for me.

The author's willingness to tell secrets of his inner world and childhood experiences, to share his intelligent, articulate reflections on his personal life and his wide reading of literature, his conclusions on some of the important things in life ... so many aspects of this book contributed to my enjoyment and delight in reading it, and subsequently to seeing his live 'Showman' show. Thank you for your work, Mr Brown. Truly appreciated.

A Book of Secrets is filled with Derren Brown's wisdom and unique insights into how to live a better life.It builds on the philosophy described in his previous book Happy. He talks about taking stock of life as we approach middle age, and advises refocussing from striving for often unattainable goals to working on our relationships with those around us as a path to fulfilment and contentment. We should not avoid friction and struggle, but instead try to embrace these as a means to growth. He advocates treating both others and our own past selves with kindness and compassion.His musings are interspersed with anecdotes that lay his own perceived shortcomings bare, making it relatable as well as instructive. Unlike Happy however, it's harder to understand how to apply it all to real life. So, maybe not my favourite Derren Brown book - perhaps because this deeper dive into his philosophy of life demands more of you - but as ever he is insightful, interesting and above all, thought-provoking.

Another enjoyable read from Derren.I’m grateful for the definition facility in the app and my gradually increasing vocabulary.Derren has pretty much always been on my hypothetical list of dinner party guests of interest. My apologies Derren, after reading ‘Happy’ followed by this title your position in the Top 3 has been solidified.Very well written and thought provoking.

The use of personal anecdotes served as a base for interpretations of life in general drawing from stoicism and other sources of enlightened thinking. The use of wording at times suggested a desire to impress the reader with vocabulary. I have found the author to be a very thoughtful and insightful person in other books and podcasts but personally felt this book lacked such qualities.

Love Derren Brown and all of his work, but I think this is one of his most poignant and revealing pieces he's produced. Was glued to this in just the 2 days it took me to read it. As opposed to Happy, which was technically rewarding but not specifically emotive (apart from odd exerts), this was truly emotionally engaging throughout, which, for me at least, aloud me to engage and absorb the nuanced information that came with this so much more and left a far more lasting psychological imprint upon myself (I did read Happy twice feeling that I'd missed something but still struggled to engage fully with it). This is the most I've seen Derren lay himself bare, as it were, and this book was almost like a dual catharsis between author and reader. Top marks.

Really enjoyed this. Derren shares personal stories asks thought provoking questions about embracing uncertainty. Enjoyable read.

Not sure at times what the author means, seems as if he follows his own thoughts to an internalised meaning but overall, a great read. I recommend it.

His wisdom never fails

Wirklich starkes Selbsthilfebuch von Derren Brown. Der Meister der Mentalmagie weiß wie er Leute erreicht, und auch diese Buch hat mich erneut begeistert. Man muss nicht unbedingt erst Probleme haben um sich einen Ratgeber zuzulegen, jeder der dieses Buch aufmerksam liest, wird davon in seinem Alltag zehren können. Klare Kaufempfehlung.

Bin ein alter Fan von Derren Brown und wurde durch dieses Buch dann doch ziemlich enttäuscht. Habe es im Englischen Original gelesen und war auch diesmal wieder von seiner sprachlichen Finesse fasziniert.Leider ist es inhaltlich nicht sonderlich ergiebig. Liegt vielleicht auch daran, dass es darin auch viel um den zur Zeit des Verfassens stattgefundenen Tod seines Vaters geht. Mithin durchzieht eine gewisse Melancholie das ganze Buch, die jedoch - jedenfalls bei mir - nicht die durchaus mögliche emotionale Anteilnahme ausgelöst hat, die dem Ganzen einen gewissen Reiz gegeben hätte.Zusätzlich finden sich noch langatmige pseudophilosphische Ausführungen sowie Tipps zum Umgang mit Midlife Crisis und anderen Unpässlichkeiten, die kaum über Binsenweisheiten hinausreichen. Viele Möglichkeiten wurden dabei verschenkt.Ein paar interessante Anregungen enthält es indes dennoch, daher will ich hier auch keinen Total-Veriss abgeben. Insgesamt fand ich es jedoch recht anstrengend, es zu lesen; und nach der ersten Hälfte lag es dann auch den ganzen Sommer irgendwo im Eck, bevor ich mich doch noch aufraffen konnte, es zu Ende zu lesen.Jedenfalls kein Vergleich mit Derrens sehr gelungenen, unterhaltsamen, erkenntnisreichen früheren Werken 'Tricks of the Mind' und 'Confessions of a Conjurer', die beide auch noch voller Esprit waren, und in die ich ganz und in Teilen immer mal wieder reingeschaut habe.Derrens vorheriges Buch 'Happy' fand ich auch schon nicht mehr ganz so gelungen, jedoch enthielt es noch allerhand Erkenntnisgewinn und Einblicke in interessante Betrachtungsweisen.Fazit: Kein Muss, auch nicht für Derren Brown Fans.