Book Reviews: Copper Sun, The Social Animal, The Geography of Bliss

Book: Copper Sun
Reviewer: Mr. Palin
Rating & Comments: While the book’s depiction of slave capturing in Africa seems realistic, the book’s historical realism declines when the main character Amari reaches America. The story powerfully shows the cruelty of slavery, but too many scenes seem contrived merely to keep readers interested, rather than educated about the psychological and physical toll of slavery in colonial America.

Book: The Social Animal
Reviewer: Mr. Palin
Rating & Comments: The book is odd, amounting to a psychological analysis of two fictional characters, Erica and Harold. Their development, from birth to adulthood to old age, is chronicled in a story of personal and professional successes, mistakes, failures, and problem solving. At times the author seems to try overly hard to make the characters’ stories seem mainstream, and this makes parts of the book awkward and painful to read. Yet, in explaining why Harold and Erica do what they do, the book’s psychology lessons are informative and often very interesting.

Book: The Geography of Bliss
Reviewer: Mr. Palin
Rating & Comments: In search of the world’s happiest place, the author travels widely, tells of his findings, and arrives at several conclusions about what makes people happy. It seems that money helps some, low expectations a little more, and a few other things like living within cultures of limited diversity. By interacting with interesting locals in places like Holland, Switzerland, Bhutan, India, England, Qatar, and Moldova, the author adds to and revises the recipe for happiness throughout his travels.

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