Dickens on happiness and misery
“Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen six, result: happiness.
Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pound ought and six, result: misery.â€
-Charles Dickens, David Copperfield
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Two links:
Food Waste Friday is at Simply Being Mum today.
I enjoyed Laura Vanderkam's review of A Thousand Gifts, because I too am one of the (few?) who didn't like that book. I feel slightly more normal now.
Thank you, Kristen. Isn't it amazing how truth never changes even in a crazily evolved world?
Here's another favorite: "A man who has at length found something to do will not need to get a new suit to do it in..."--Henry David Thoreau.
I count myself as one of the few who didn't like that book either. Although, I have to admit, I didn't read it cover to cover. I had friends who were raving about it, so I bought a copy, started it, and knew I didn't want to keep reading, so it went back. Too many metaphors!
My mother in law once told me, life is too short and there are too many good books out there to spend time reading one you don't like, even if others love it or it is proclaimed to be an important book.
Mr. Micawber is one of my favorite characters in David Copperfield. It was good advice he gave Davey, good advice indeed!
I'm glad to hear other people didn't like that book! It was really not for me.
You are so not alone. 🙂 The message is one I can wholeheartedly endorse, but the style was just not for me. It felt unnecessarily wordy, to the point where I had a hard time grasping what she was actually trying to get across.
I totally realize that this is a personal preference, so I'm not trying to be ultra-critical of Voskamp or of other flowery writers. I know that style really speaks to some people, but I prefer a more straightforward style.
Kristen--I have been getting emails from Frugal Girl site since I made my comment today; is there a way to cancel this? My husband and I share an email address and we do not want these emails. Thanks.
Hey there-I sent you an email about this but in case it didn't go through: You probably subscribed to comments somehow, and you should be able to unsubscribe using a link in those emails. Email me if you have trouble!
Thanks for sharing that review! I, too, didn't enjoy the book. Actually, I'm a rebel who doesn't enjoy Ann Voskamp or Jen Hatmaker or Noonday, etc. Most people won't even have a conversation with me about it! If I voice my disapproval, I get looked at like I have two heads and completely dismissed! I appreciate you sharing.
Thanks for sharing the link to my review! Yes, who knew -- there turn out to be a lot of people who were just not so into that book. Obviously, others were, given how well it did. But one can still be into the concept of a book (gratitude) and think the execution is deeply flawed.
I am so glad you posted about this book. A lot if my friends an the women in my church LOVE it. My mom gave me a copy and I couldn't finish it. I do like The idea of the book.
I feel so much better knowing that other people couldn't finish it either! I wanted to love it, because the topic is something so near and dear to my heart. But I just couldn't.
My book club actually decided to forego "A Thousand Gifts" after a brief perusal. We'd all heard the hoopla about it, and really wanted to like it, but in the end decided it wasn't for us since we all, like you, prefer a more straightforward style.
I love that quote. I heard W.C. Fields say it in an old film adaptation of David Copperfield (great movie) and it has stuck with me.
Me, too! After hearing much hype and good reviews about A Thousand Gifts, I borrowed it from the library and tried to read it. It was very hard to get through the first chapter and I had to give up. Like you said, the topic is excellent, but the execution was just not for me.
Wonderful quote! It is so simple yet so many people don't understand. 🙁http://drinkingfrommasonjars.blogspot.com
Totally agree on the One Thousand Gifts review. Couldn't finish it, but my sister read it three times! Just couldn't handle the bad grammar and too. many. unnecessary. words!
Such a simple message but so powerful and true. Spend less than you make and you'll find happiness but spend more and you shall be guaranteed misery. We'll choose happiness thank you. 🙂
Great quote... I'll remember that one!
Ain't that the truth!
Hello Kristen, Just discovered your blog by following kink from Lyle's Simple Sunday post. So glad I did! And I love your Dickens quote. Cheers!