mrs. navarre's book club: hector and the search for happiness: a novel

because this is my blog i will host the book club. 

for those of you who know me, you know i am somewhat of a bookworm. always have been. even though i usually read for just enjoyment, i do like the occasional thought-provoking book.

i recently read one such book, hector and the search for happiness: a novel.

this is a book many love or hate. i loved it.

it's about a french psychiatrist who thinks he is doing everything he should, but can't understand why he or his clients aren't happy. so he goes on a journey to several countries. many of the places hector sees or things he encounters aren't labeled in the traditional format. instead things are explained in a simple way so that the reader knows exactly what he's talking about, but can look at it differently. for example, he never uses the word "america". instead, it's called "the country of more".

hector contains nothing new or revolutionary. written in a very child-like, fable format, you will probably find it either refreshing or annoying (for any who have seen amelie, i feel the style is similar).

it's a light, easy read but very clever, allowing the reader to reexamine what happiness means to them. most of what the author highlights are no-brainers. but isn't it usually the little, simple solutions that can answer most problems? how come it's so difficult to do the simple things?

and really, happiness comes from within.

i think this is a thought-provoking novel, though it does borderline on a self-help book. i'm not a fan of self-help books or fixes. not that they don't contain some merit. but most people waste time searching for solutions to their problems in all the wrong places. 

i truly know that all of life's problems can be solved with the gospel of jesus christ. it doesn't mean these problems go away or all the answers are given now.

but doing the simple things and having a relationship with the saviour is the only way to find true happiness. it's not about the search for happiness, but happiness comes as a result.

and the scriptures are a true self-help book.

so, if you're looking for a fast but thoughtful read, try this one. and hey, the cover is just so darn cute.

until next book club,

mrs. navarre.