What do you think?
Rate this book
The Art of Imperfection: Simple Ways to Make Peace with Yourself
Forgive
Self-acceptance doesn't have to be hard work. Cultivate your most pleasurable flaws. Find out when not to have the last word. Don't be afraid to ask silly questions. Learn to make lists--and forget them. And The most perfect moments usually happen at the most imperfect time.
Self-acceptance doesn't have to be hard work. Cultivate your most pleasurable flaws. Find out when not to have the last word. Don't be afraid to ask silly questions. Learn to make lists--and forget them. And The most perfect moments usually happen at the most imperfect time.
- GenresSelf HelpNonfiction
96 pages, Hardcover
First published August 17, 1999
10 people are currently reading
313 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
January 13, 2014
Every sentence in this book made me pause, wondering if I or the author had suffered a stroke. Each sentence is collection of words that convey no meaning.
For example:
"In order to listen, see. In order to hear, stare at things."
Were this a parody of a weirdly passive-aggressive, New Age help book, it would be a thing of genius. Intended, as it was, as a serious endeavor, it makes me pray for human extinction.
For example:
"In order to listen, see. In order to hear, stare at things."
Were this a parody of a weirdly passive-aggressive, New Age help book, it would be a thing of genius. Intended, as it was, as a serious endeavor, it makes me pray for human extinction.
August 5, 2016
So, the funny thing is while I was reading the chapter entitled "The art of Making Mistakes" I missed my metro. When I finally boarded the train I continued reading avidly until I had gone thirty minutes in the wrong direction.
Making mistakes, missing appointments and being wrong is not romantic, it's annoying and irritating no matter how you slice it. And reading it on a Wednesday afternoon when I still had miles to go before I slept was an innapropriate use of this library book.
That said, The Art of Imperfection ... is a quick read full of witty, slothful, charming syllogisms, nearly all of which fly in the face of conventional wisdom. In many ways this woman's writing is the French response to SARK, who equally irritates and charms in the exact same way. It would be truly be pleasant if all you had to do was wear a peach silk shirt for delivery boys to see you as a human being after you have reached the age of 42. It would also be pleasant if being incompetent really did have an upside. The following statement is beyond pleasant and sheerly, utterly delightful:
On the other hand you must love the imperfect state Ms. Vienne evokes with a few broad brush strokes. Her exhortations and encouragement reminds us that a simple life is a good life; she reminds us when we fall asleep hugging a pillow we don't have to talk to our shrink about it. She reminds us that we are already enlightened whether we know it or not ... So lighten up you (and me) and
Making mistakes, missing appointments and being wrong is not romantic, it's annoying and irritating no matter how you slice it. And reading it on a Wednesday afternoon when I still had miles to go before I slept was an innapropriate use of this library book.
That said, The Art of Imperfection ... is a quick read full of witty, slothful, charming syllogisms, nearly all of which fly in the face of conventional wisdom. In many ways this woman's writing is the French response to SARK, who equally irritates and charms in the exact same way. It would be truly be pleasant if all you had to do was wear a peach silk shirt for delivery boys to see you as a human being after you have reached the age of 42. It would also be pleasant if being incompetent really did have an upside. The following statement is beyond pleasant and sheerly, utterly delightful:
You are indeed a slow learner if you think that you must overcome your innate incompetence in order to fulfill your destiny as a human being.but is it true? Does fucking up everything around you, living a life that falls short of your dreams means you can congratulate yourself on having lived a life of meaning? Is form without content worthy? If you are like me this book may give you a rash.
On the other hand you must love the imperfect state Ms. Vienne evokes with a few broad brush strokes. Her exhortations and encouragement reminds us that a simple life is a good life; she reminds us when we fall asleep hugging a pillow we don't have to talk to our shrink about it. She reminds us that we are already enlightened whether we know it or not ... So lighten up you (and me) and
Don't hold your breath any longer: Perfect moments happen every day.
June 25, 2008
Ok, ok....so this isn't the great novel to end all novels.
BUT, I can say that it has as powerfully moved me as any other novel to date. How frequently I find myself discouraged and depressed that I'm not living up to my internal expectations for perfection. Maybe it is culturally-, religiously-, family-driven, probably a bit of each. But how often do women feel discouraged with themselves that they are perpetually not enough? Every day I wake up with this eternal conquest to meet my own expectations, only to collapse on the pillow each night disgusted at another day's failure.
And as I climb down from my soapbox, I have to say that this book is the perfect realignment of my perspective and priorities. I am learning (slowly) to find beauty in my imperfection. Beauty in my own idiosynchrasies and quirks. Beauty in both my successes AND my failures.
A definite recommendation for every woman.
BUT, I can say that it has as powerfully moved me as any other novel to date. How frequently I find myself discouraged and depressed that I'm not living up to my internal expectations for perfection. Maybe it is culturally-, religiously-, family-driven, probably a bit of each. But how often do women feel discouraged with themselves that they are perpetually not enough? Every day I wake up with this eternal conquest to meet my own expectations, only to collapse on the pillow each night disgusted at another day's failure.
And as I climb down from my soapbox, I have to say that this book is the perfect realignment of my perspective and priorities. I am learning (slowly) to find beauty in my imperfection. Beauty in my own idiosynchrasies and quirks. Beauty in both my successes AND my failures.
A definite recommendation for every woman.
September 30, 2010
I always go back to this book when I need to feel grounded. It's easy to forget (let alone accept) that one couldn't be perfect all the time. This little book not only inspires and reminds me of everyday realities. It also allows and lets me forgive myself.
December 31, 2014
I.need.to.own.this.book.
April 30, 2020
It’s kind of perfect.
My late grandmother bought this book and stored it in an out of the way upstairs bathroom. As a child and teen, I spent many summers reading it when I got bored, and surprisingly learned a lot. I hate books like this and can’t stand that people waste their time with them, but this one has such a wonderfully human insight to being a person, and experiencing life like it’s a family get together feast or a really good novel.
The book is meant to be a meditation on life. Loosen your neck and muse with the book. It’s easy to think the whole book is made up of trite nonsensical platitudes, but if you’re at that point you are probably reading into it too much and then I can surely say this book is meant for you.
“The reason angels can fly is because they take themselves lightly.” G. K. Chesterton
My late grandmother bought this book and stored it in an out of the way upstairs bathroom. As a child and teen, I spent many summers reading it when I got bored, and surprisingly learned a lot. I hate books like this and can’t stand that people waste their time with them, but this one has such a wonderfully human insight to being a person, and experiencing life like it’s a family get together feast or a really good novel.
The book is meant to be a meditation on life. Loosen your neck and muse with the book. It’s easy to think the whole book is made up of trite nonsensical platitudes, but if you’re at that point you are probably reading into it too much and then I can surely say this book is meant for you.
“The reason angels can fly is because they take themselves lightly.” G. K. Chesterton
April 10, 2023
What I found most odd about The Art of Imperfection is that, while the aim of the book is to encourage people to embrace their imperfections, the book actually included a lot of rules regarding how the authors think people should act, and those rules were sometimes specifically due to the authors' own judgments of certain ways of being. The book is a quick read, and there were a couple of hidden gems amongst all the fluff, so I don't regret reading it, but I certainly wouldn't recommend this book or read it again.
December 8, 2020
Judging by the average number of stars awarded, this book meant far more to many people than to me.
I consider it a brief piece of fluff with some very poor advice.
Except that we should accept and even celebrate our imperfections.
I consider it a brief piece of fluff with some very poor advice.
Except that we should accept and even celebrate our imperfections.
July 26, 2018
Quick and easy read, with some useful takeaways.
July 30, 2018
I liked that it promoted striving to have a normal life that does not include fame or any real sort of fortune. The lat few chapters were really wonderful.
November 19, 2018
The book itself is pretty, and it's inspiring but not terribly memorable.
January 27, 2020
It was a quick read. I probably wouldn't have continued reading past the first 20 pages if it were longer. Somethings just didn't resonate with me. To each there own.
March 8, 2021
Small little book with sort of essays on different topics, looking to help you come to peace with imperfection in yourself.
August 27, 2022
Adore Ms. Viennese insights
August 14, 2024
Aunque parte de una premisa interesante, no me ha seducido lo suficiente como para tener ganas de leerlo hasta el final.
January 8, 2023
Wise and wonderful observations on life. The book itself is beautifully designed. The many charming atmospheric photographs are worth the cost alone.
April 27, 2020
Shallow platitudes masquerading as personal reflection. Contradictory and poorly written - do yourself a huge favor and read anything by Brene Brown instead.
July 9, 2015
Thoughtful photographs enliven gentle, rambling essays. Sparkling ideas and just right phrases tipped me with surprise just when I thought, "This is a comfy read."
'Make peace with yourself once and for all: Love is not a meritocracy."
"Forgive yourself. Soon, you will discover that self-acceptance and tolerance do not have to be hard work."
"Imagine a different world, one in which people do not spend an inordinate amount of energy fuming against their fate each time they make a mistake. A world in which one takes for granted that if things can go wrong, they probably will. It would be so civilized. Folks would bump into furniture, miss deadlines, get lost on the way to the airport, forget to return phone calls, and show up at parties a day early k without getting unduly annoyed with themselves."
A brief, and engaging "way to make peace with yourself." I've ordered a copy of my own.
'Make peace with yourself once and for all: Love is not a meritocracy."
"Forgive yourself. Soon, you will discover that self-acceptance and tolerance do not have to be hard work."
"Imagine a different world, one in which people do not spend an inordinate amount of energy fuming against their fate each time they make a mistake. A world in which one takes for granted that if things can go wrong, they probably will. It would be so civilized. Folks would bump into furniture, miss deadlines, get lost on the way to the airport, forget to return phone calls, and show up at parties a day early k without getting unduly annoyed with themselves."
A brief, and engaging "way to make peace with yourself." I've ordered a copy of my own.
May 20, 2009
Overall, I liked the photography in this book better than the writing. The writing has its good moments, but the stuff that stood out could have fit into 10% or less. I did really like what the ladies had to say about interaction with babies, and the beauties of the nonglamorous life, and of intimacy. The rest was blah. But then again, at least it wasn't 500 pages worth of blah. :)
November 27, 2007
This and the other two books I read by this author are just so simple and fun! Very elgant, and well put!
November 10, 2010
thought provoking, reccomended. lovely to lose oneself in for hours, although quite short.
June 6, 2012
Funny, quirky stories to lighten up the thoughts/feelings of anyone who struggles with perfectionism. Pokes fun of humans, made me laugh, can read in a 1/2 hour.
November 8, 2012
Pretty much ditto how I felt about 'The Art of Doing Nothing'.
December 20, 2014
I adore Veronique Vienne's books; each one an invitation to live a richer, deeper, more forgiving life.
June 1, 2015
Nice quick read about why imperfection can actually be a lovely way to live...I really enjoyed the photographs.
April 29, 2016
2.5 stars
It's like the opposite of Marie Kondo but just as odd. Maybe dated? Published in 1999.
It's like the opposite of Marie Kondo but just as odd. Maybe dated? Published in 1999.
Want to read
May 7, 2016I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13920965
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13920965
August 20, 2016
A nice little inspirational book, full of reminders about enbracing the life you have and making the most of it.
December 28, 2016
Another quick read, which I quite enjoyed - especially relevant I feel if you are 50+.
December 15, 2009
The illustrations were the best part of this book, but the essays were interesting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews