The Secret of Life: Commonsense Advice for the Uncommon Woman

by Elizabeth Wurtzel

Book Overview

Though she might not always follow her own advice, Elizabeth Wurtzel knows certain things to be true- Doing copious amounts of drugs leads nowhere you want to be; trying to be friends with your ex is always a bad idea; if you can't afford to hire a mover, you can't afford to move; and always doing the best you can is always good enough. Here are Wurtzel's succinct and clever rules for living your best life. Fulfillment is within everyone's reach...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345476751
• ISBN13: 9780345476753
• Release Date: August 2004
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.28 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 4.8" x 7.2"

Customer Reviews

Already buying a second copy for a friend

I'm a huge fan of Wurtzel, and it's been such a trying year i've gone back to her again and again because to me she feels like an empathetic friend who has 'been there' existentially. I hadn't heard of this gem before but it was everything I needed right now. It's a concise read that's packed with heart and I can't recommend it enough.

If you don't see the value in this advice, wake up!

I loved this book so much that I re-read it regularly. It has many truths that, sadly, are lost on several of those who've reviewed it before me. At the very least, it provides one with outlooks and crutches (and let's face it, everyone has a limp) that make life more bearable, especially for those of us that aren't born with obliviously happy dispositions. One example of this would be the chapter about having pets-- let me tell you, a low-maintenance, super-cool & sweet cat is more than worth the cost of meow mix, plus he entertains guests when I take too long to get ready!Beyond that, this book is enlightening for anyone stuck in the 50's-- I have always lived by the chapter entitled "Don't get up to do the dishes unless the men help too". Whose brilliant idea was it to make women do housework while men smoke cigars?? (I'll give you a hint: it was a HE.) This is the 21st century, and scientists have discovered that women have IQs that are identical to those of their male counterparts. Of course you'd never know this after attending such a dinner party! When other readers comment that Wurtzel is spoiled, I really want to shake them-- the aforementioned "do not do the dishes" portion is is the only part of the book I can find that would (mistakenly) lead one to that conclusion. In any case, I'd hope that the chapters about being self-sufficient and not dumping your problems on friends & family neutralize any misconceptions about Wurtzel being a spoiled brat. To me, advising people never to do something unpleasant that they can pay someone else to do does NOT make one spoiled, but smart. Ditto for spending $$ on good hairstylists. I mean, if you're smart enough to make more than the money it takes to hire a maid, why would you be dumb enough to do such work yourself?? Work an extra hour and use the $ to pay the maid for 2 hrs, rather than cleaning your own apt for 4 hrs (unless, of course, you dislike efficiency enough to sew your own clothes & grow your own food, circa 2000 B.C.!) And is walking around with orange hair really worth the money you saved by doing it yourself? All of the above are reasons why this book is titled "Common advice..."-- the thing about common advice is that it's not at all common, as the college educated, house-cleaning, man-worshiping Miss Clairol victims show us everyday. This book is a public service!

in praise of a full life

I didn't find the advice contradictory at all -- being happy with being single doesn't mean you give up on finding your true love. I found the part about getting over ex-boyfriends especially accurate and funny and realistic. I like how she encourages women to enjoy life and be strong and independent but not equate loving others or wanting true love as a sign of weakness or neediness. I'll be passing this book on to various girlfriends.

Another hit for Wurtzel !!!!!!!!

I am by far a die hard fan of Ms.Wurtzel so I may be a bit bias. I enjoyed this book for many reasons. 1) It has been a long time since we have seen anything in print from her and I was delighted to read something from her again. 2) It was refreshing and mature, even if you do not agree with all her views she is at her best funny, lighthearted and honest. 3) It showed a different side to her that you do not see from her other amazing books. If this is your first time stumbling along her work I would suggest reading one of her others first to get the true impact of what an amazing writer she is. Only then could you appriciate the subtle sarcasim, jokes and underlying message she is sending in Radical Sanity.

An Incredibly Wholesome Surprise

Wurtzel's writing has matured astonishingly. The point of the book -- beyond its inarguably good advice on its large passel of topics -- is that however Wurtzel has learned to live, it's allowing her to write this well: this cleverly, gracefully, snappily and powerfully. The attitude of vividly experienced calm is in fact the way most people would like to experience their lives; Wurtzel's book is the best argument for the advice she's suggesting. If you can get past the science-fiction element to the excerise -- Wurtzel's writing tends to be powerful because she experiences just the things one would most want not to experience; she's the traveller whose boat sinks, whose supplies disappear and whose passport gets stolen -- Radical Sanity is a pretty extraordinary book.

strong enough for a man........ph balanced for women

This book, by it's title alone, is intended for women. But I, being a man, 22, thought Wurtzel has written a guideline for everyone's life.If you can get past the "man-bashing" and try to turn some of the situations on the other sex you will find that men should "BE GORGEOUS" as well. The book is like a mother's advice...... "don't sweat the little things", "when all else fails talk to God". and although your mother has already said these things to you it is great to hear them again from a stranger. If for no other reason,read this book because Wurtzel has always been open honest and funny. And you will have some clue as to who movie is about this summer(2001).