Book Review: A Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck

The book “A Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck” is a “counterintuitive approach to living a

good life” according to its writer, Mark Manson. His work talks about the many aspects of life and

how an individual triumph over adversity in a different light. It revolves around self-development

by re-focusing our mind on things that matters most or better rather than lurking in an energy-

draining situation.

Manson began by elaborating the story about an author and poet, Charles Bukowski.

According to Manson, Bukowski is alcoholic, compulsive gambler, and a womanizer. He spent

most of his younger years being like that after all the disappointments of not achieving his goal as

a writer. It only took him one moment to have his whole career blossom as he was discovered by

a manager of a publishing company. Long story short, Bukowski became famous but none of his

old vices changed, only this time he has the fame and money to spend more.

What Manson is trying to imply here is that Bukowski as his first example reached a certain

point in his life that he did not “give a fuck” or care anymore. He did what he already could and

by the time he let it be, his moment came. From here, we can take it from Manson that if you have

already done what you can and what you have control over then it’s time to shift our focus while

waiting.

Of course, Manson explained that “not giving a fuck” doesn’t mean not caring about

anything or everything at all. In his example about an issue that her mother had to respond to a

stressful event, he could just say “nah, I don’t care” but the thought of “not giving a fuck” doesn’t

work that way. He told his mother that they will take legal action about it since “he doesn’t give a
fuck” as long as they take a step and solve it the proper way. Whatever comes next is out of their

control.

A long list of examples has been depicted in this book and the bottom line all goes down

to being our best self but being realistic as well on how we think and respond on situations.

Personally, I had a good time reading this book as it was like speaking to me. Knowing that I am

more of an anxious person, Manson’s work is a great reminder on how I can positively and

realistically work on myself in responding on inevitable situations in my life.