User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
Loved the message, just didn't like the format it was presented in. Felt like the author just had a list of frequently asked questions and set out to answer each and every one of them one by one systematically, so there wasn't much narrative or actual enjoyment in the reading of it. The "story" is essentially just 2 guys talking over dinner, actually only 1 guy talking (the titular Monk), the other guy is just there to ask the questions in between the long monologues and to confirm the Monk's answers. I felt the listener of the story was pretty naive, he seemed to just take everything his monk friend said without question, and we're led to believe that through one night of lecturing he is enlightened; perhaps his mystical friend hypnotised him!!! GASP! However, despite all my criticism with the characters and the non-existent story, I am glad that the subject matter was written simply without using convoluted and deep spiritual words; it could have so easily have gone that way.
Rating: really liked it
I am not a fan of personal development books written by so called motivational writers. I prefer writers that have previously done something with their life. However, I received this as a gift from my best friend and I was feeling a little bit under the weather so I felt that some motivation was welcomed. I tried to keep my heart open and was prepared to absorb as many life-changing advices as possible.
I knew the book was total garbage from the first 20 pages but I tried to give it a chance and pressed on. I read so many reviews that claimed that reading this changed their life so I thought that it must be me. After I realized that it is not me but the book I still kept reading so I can write an informed hate review. So there it is.
The Monk who sold his Ferrari makes me think about a fish stew, and not a good one. Usually, in fish stews you add different kinds of leftover fish and seafood that is not very fresh but not gone bad either. Then, you put a lot of tomato juice and condiments to give a strong taste so nobody knows that the fish is not at their best. This book feels the same. The author collected a variety of cliche, already discussed ideas such as positive thinking, meditation, goal prioritization, focus, getting up early, more exercise and yes, oh yes, eating of live food aka becoming a vegetarian. The last bit almost made me to throw the book to a wall. So, what do you do when you have absolutely nothing new to say but you want to make it interesting so everybody buys your book? Bingo, you use a fable. Everybody loves one, right? So, in order to touch the main target group, the depressed corporate employee, you take a lawyer as a main character. You add a bit of drama, a heart attack, which pushes the hero to quit his job and leave in a quest to find himself? Where does the hero go? You guessed it…India, of course. After he spends some time with a very isolated yogi group in the Himalayas he comes back to the US enlightened, looking 30 years younger and ready to help others find the true path to happiness and health. The first victim is a colleague lawyer to whom our hero presents the complex ancient philosophy in one night. Yup, this is all it takes to become a new person. Most of the book is a dialogue between the “monk” and his moronic friend. The disciple is so entranced by the sage of his mentor that he agrees with everything he says, no questions are asked and all the proposed techniques and ideas are immediately adopted. I sometime wondered if hypnotization was used.
Maybe I could have digested all these ideas if the book had been well written. Which it wasn’t. A 10 year old could have done a better job. It was boring and ridiculous.
Rating: really liked it
I categorized this book under spoofs because it made me laugh so much. I wanted to stop reading it because I found it ridiculous, but I wouldn't feel worthy of panning it here if I hadn't completed it and the joy of sharing my take on this book kept me turning pages and dog-earring quotable pages.
First, let me be clear, I like me some cheese; I like it with crackers and I like it with wine and I like it in my entertainment and personal growth. That this book is cheesier than a Velveeta factory was not the problem. The problem is that you have to back cheese up with some realism to make it relatable and digestable. Sharma does not do this.
Sharma did one thing that I very much did like, at least he may have done this, naming the book. It's a great title and made me want to read it immediately as I already had the book outlined in my head based upon the title and it was very good. I should have stuck with my own fantasy. Instead, there's a ton of new age advice espoused thru a very dumb fable that serves as some new age pnuemonic (which it takes John, the "student", most of the book to get and then is praised heavily by Julian, "the teacher" for this observation like a special ed teacher giving a student a lollipop for looking both ways before crossing the street. Actually, this typifies most of their interactions... only a special ed student would eventually become resentful of the condescension... But this never happens to John because he is a complete idiot, oh, sorry, I mean "empty cup". He's more like an empty thimble who's practically ejaculating over every trite concept Julian throws his way with wide eyed awe.).
Maybe these immaculate revelations would have had more of an impact on me as a teenager, but you would've had to get to me in early adolescence to impress me with the wonder of "think positive thoughts!", "prioritize what's important in your life!", "live in the now!", "find a purpose!", etc. etc. I love new age ideas and concepts, but Sharma just reguritates other people's wisdom and doesn't even make it interesting or unique. He even quotes himself from the book in the book! Each lesson has a summary of key ideas, actions, etc. and in each one he quotes himself, from the chapter you JUST READ, which has to earn him Douche of the Month, if not DOTYear in my opinion.
He is also an awful writer, most evident in his use of speaker tags and abuse of adjectives, which were actually my favorite part of the book-they were that bad. here are some fun examples:
"'Do I have to find a special lake to apply the Secret of the Lake?' I asked innocently."
"Hardly 'new age,'" he said, with a broad grin lighting up his radiant face.
Julian remembering the monks:
"I still remember seeing these wonderful looking people seated on the little bamboo chairs reading their strangely bound books with the subtle smiles of enlightenment unforlding across their lips."
"Easy, big fella! I couldn't agree with you more," offered Julian with all the warth and patience of a wise, loving grandfather.
Here's my favorite part of the book. John is talking about his big belly:
"It's really not that big," Julian suggested in a consoling tone.
"Then why does Jenny call me Mr. Donut?" I said, breaking into a broad smile.
Julian started to laugh. I had to follow. Soon the two of us were howling on the floor.
"I guess if you can't laugh at yourself who can you laugh at?" I said, still giggling.
Oh, I could go on and on, because Sherma does in this same manner. Sigh, it feels good to get this out. In summary, the book doesn't espouse anything bad or incorrect, it just does it in a really pathetic and sometimes insultingly condescending way.
Rating: really liked it
"The monk who sold his Ferrari" can be called as life-changing novel!
These kind of novels add essence to your life and gives you direction specially in the hard times. It gives you the answer to the questions like What is the purpose of life? How we can attain happiness and satisfaction? etc..
Nothing in it is Unknown to us yet it makes us notice that "Known"!
It tells us to savor each moment with exuberance along with an aim in life.. It is our prerogative to lead a happy successful and rewarding life.
The novel tells the Vastness of India and the ancient techniques which our ancestors have been using since eternity which is the Secret of Life!
This novel made me realise the Mortality of Humans and how each day counts infact each moment and each thought!
It has transformed me and my life now is your turn..
Rating: really liked it
Now I rarely read a book and stopped halfway.
Unless if it's really really boring.
Such as this one.
And it wasn't supposed to be boring. Because it's a fable.
But I didn't get anything out of it.So halfway reading, I skim through the rest.
I have the habit of joting down verses/nice words from my readings and..this book failed to give me anything.
Other than that.. I feel like it's a 'trying too hard version'of 'The Secret', 'Eat Pray Love' (the 'Pray section) and 'Tuesday with Morrie'
So sadly to say, the only thing I like about this book is the title.
Rating: really liked it
If I could take back all the hours I spent on reading this crap, I would. To say I hated it would be an understatement. Oh, it changed my life indeed, after all, it almost turned me into some kind of rage-filled, crazed monster. I wanted to burn this book and cackle evilly as it burnt. And I still don't get the fucking point of the book.
Also, who the fuck sells their Ferrari? If there is anyone who's planning to do so after having read this book, feel free to contact me. I'm in the market for a new car anyway.
Rating: really liked it
“People who study others are wise but those who study themselves are enlightened." Easy to read. Beginner friendly. Enlightening read.
Grab your copy here.
Rating: really liked it
The first time I read this book I just loved it. I read it at the time when I was asking myself questions regarding 'What to do with my life?'.
I found the book very energizing, giving me a lot of inspiration and motivation to go on and many answers to my questions.
When I read the book the second time, it didn't seem to have the same effect.
PS! Who is looking for great literary value, will be disappointed. Sharma is no writer, but if you can focus on the message, it won't bother.
Rating: really liked it
I don't know about this. I started it about 10 times and dropped it like it's hot NOT. Maybe I need to get in the proper mood for this.
And the overflowing cup metaphor? How many times has this frakking Chinese legend been retold? 50 times? 1000 times? It's nice to think about the first couple hundred times I heard it but by the present moment it's my killswitch. I have read about it literally everywhere! Including spam and ads on miraculous stuff to get my nonexistent dick larger!
I can't even rate it properly. The book seems ok but annoyingly, I can't read it or get even anywhere through it. What the hell are Sages of Sivana? Uh? Maybe I need to first learn where that monk got his Ferrari? He wasn't a monk when he bought it, from how I got it. And why Ferrari and not any of hundreds of other cars? What about his plane? Ughhhh! I need to audit less. Or meditate. Or tie myself to a chair with this book in my lap. Or chuck it. I guess I'll be back at some point!
So far the rating is somewhere in the vicinity of 2-3 stars. The fault is, as is usual, with me. Still, there is something wrong with this book, though I can't phrase what it is exactly. It may change drastically. Or I might stop trying to get into books I dislike on the spot.
Q:
The moment I stopped spending so much time chasing the big pleasure of life. I began to enjoy the little ones, like watching the stars dancing in moonlit sky or soaking in the sunbeams of a glorious summer morning. (c)
Rating: really liked it
A mediocre book. Although the author has tried to make the book full of wisdom, it hardly achieve its desired result - of helping an individual; it utterly fails to make any impact.
Rating: really liked it
Read a full review - Books CharmingNever forget the importance of living with unbridled exhilaration. Never neglect to see the exquisite beauty in all living things. Today, and this very moment is a gift. Stay focused on your purpose. The Universe will take care of everything else.
It is a recommendable read.
Rating: really liked it
Sweet mother of Jesus!! What was I trying to read???
This novel is a self-indulgent twaddle of a z-grade author!! What a load of rubbish.
Rating: really liked it
Once again I am disappointed by a book because I misunderstood what I was getting into.
I honestly thought this was a biographical account of a dude who really did sell all his posessions and wander off to discover the meaning of life. But that's just the ruse the author uses to tell you what
he believes are the secrets of life.
It's basically a beginner's insight into spiritual development in a form similar to both The Courage to be Disliked and The Alchemist, in that
it uses a fictional discussion between two characters to deliver all its wisdom.Unfortunately, there wasn't anything new enough here to make up for my disappointment at being jipped on the motivational biography I thought this was.
The setup is this: Julian is a hotshot lawyer who has a heart attack one day in court. This serves as his wakeup call so he sells everything he owns then goes off to India to live among sages who will teach him the meaning of life. Then he comes back and passes on all this wisdom to his hotshot lawyer protege, and this book is essentially that conversation between the two.
Firstly,
it's a bit of a stretch that this protege is so open to changing every single aspect of his life so dramatically, and the sporadic attempts at humour just make this more ridiculous. The setup is a poor one, because it's so unrealistic, which doesn't exactly inspire confidence in the methods. It all ends up feeling rather far-fetched instead of practical - and this from a person who completely supports the seven points that are made.
It's almost like the author was too lazy to provide actual facts, figures and examples, so just put all is own thoughts into these two fictional creations. I guess the point is to make it more accessible but it made it seem phony and conceited to me. I guess the delivery just really rubbed me the wrong way.
But aside from that,
the concepts it provides are actually quite useful, and it's all stuff I've read repeatedly in books on personal development. It just simplifies it all, which is what I mean about being 'Spirituality for Beginners'. I'm not denying the information, but it just barely scratches the surface. Ironically, it's like the 'quick-fix' version of personal development.
So overall I hated the delivery and it was a little too basic for me, but I do support the information it conveys and think this is a great entry point for anyone who may be looking to begin a little self development.
Rating: really liked it
The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari is basically a self help book told in the format of a story. It is filled with positivity and motivation. And there is plenty of wisdom in the book.
But the book does seem ridiculous at times and it feels like one is reading an infomercial script.
The book did uplift me and filled me with positive vibes at times, but it still didn't convince me to sell my Ferrari (if I had one).
Rating: really liked it
The monk who sold his Ferrari, is a misleading title. The man who sold his Ferrari and became a monk would have been more accurate. The idea of a monk driving a Ferrari is somewhat thought-provoking and made me smile. The book itself was a merger between fiction and instruction on techniques to perfect your life experience. It’s an easy-to-read book (I read it in an afternoon) and the structure works well making it easy to remember what went before, or where to look for a particular part.
From a fiction point of view, it too often told rather than showed. Leaving me feeling not quite satisfied.
And, I don’t feel helped. I don’t feel like my life has been enlightened. I feel like I’ve been told to get up earlier in the morning and meditate. I could have told me that before. Somehow, I couldn’t believe in these monks doing their one-handed press-ups at 4am every morning. I felt sorry for them. What sort of enlightenment requires being in the same village forever? How did the monks know about the real world if they didn’t experience it?
Overall, not for me.
