When delving into a psychology book, I always remind myself not to set too high expectations and to be aware that seeking professional therapeutic help is more appropriate from a specialist, rather than relying solely on a book. However, if I approach The Power of Hope with the intention of gaining new insights from a Finnish psychologist, I must say that the book resonated with me, introducing ‘hope’ as a fresh perspective on life. The author addresses various themes such as coping, trust, letting go of control, making an impact, experiencing emotions, imperfection, failure, recovery, death, and the important role of social relationships. I believe that Maaret Kallio skillfully navigated these complex themes with empathy, and throughout reading, I sensed a continuous understanding and a warm embrace.
I read The Power of Hope during a balanced phase of my life, maybe that’s why it did not have a profound impact on me. Perhaps this book may offer much more to a reader in mourning or seeking to process a recent tragedy.
Also, I feel like the sub-heading „Resilience and self-care: the Finnish way” was more of a clever marketing choice than a reflection of its content, as the Finnish context does not really appear, aside from 4-5 examples.
Overall, I’m pleased to have started the new year with this book, considering The Power of Hope as a valuable perspective-influencing read. Oh, and I must mention how much I love the Hungarian cover; it is a beautiful design! I prefer this one compared to the Finnish edition featuring the author's portrait.