Matt Haig's The Comfort Book

Book Review of Matt Haig's The Comfort Book

Matt Haig's The Comfort Book is a superb resource to dip into when feeling low.

Matt Haig’s The Comfort Book is the perfect read for anyone who has found themselves at a low ebb and needs a message of hope that things can and will get better.
 
Matt Haig begins The Comfort Book by telling the readers that the structure of his writing makes it a messy read. It has both short and long chapters, lists, quotes, case studies and even the occasional recipes. It is quite random in structure, but the theme that runs through The Comfort Book is one of connection. Everything is connected to everything else – hope to despair, pain to joy and so on. It also reminds us repeatedly that the simple fact of our existence is a reason for hope and joy, that we don’t need to try to be anything other than what we are, or meet anyone else’s expectations. Just be!
 
Matt Haig’s The Comfort Book is written in a completely non-judgmental tone. It is friendly and warm and welcoming. Part memoir, with a little bit of philosophy for beginners, for me it is a book of substance. It creates a solid and positive basis for building self-love which can help readers avoid faulty thinking or going down a spiral of negativity. Even if you are not feeling low or needing comfort it is a book of hope and I found it frequently amusing. It is definitely a book that enhancing wellbeing and creates a feeling of positivity. I was delighted to read under the heading Wolf, that “Crying releases stress hormones. Swearing increases pain tolerance. Fury can motivate us into action.”  The book legitimates both activity and inactivity as a means of managing life.

Knowing that Matt Haig has had some really tough times, makes The Comfort Book seem very authentic to me.

Book Discussion Questions for Matt Haig's The Comfort Book

• “The cure for loneliness is understanding who you are.” Discuss. 
• Somewhere over the Rainbow by Judy Garland and Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles are among the songs that comforted Matt Haig. What books do you find comforting?​ 
• Marcus Aurelius, states that if we are distressed by something external “The pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it.” And this you have the power to revoke at any moment.” Discuss whether this is something that you think you could do.
• “One day this will be over. And we will be grateful for life in ways we never felt possible before.” This is written as a reminder for the tough times.” Discuss.
• “Forgiving other people is great practice for forgiving yourself when the time comes.” Do you think forgiveness is easier if you have a religious faith?
• Matt Haig believes that the act of changing our routines is good for us? To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
• You have possibly only read Matt Haig’s The Comfort Book, because you are part of a book discussion group. Is this the kind of book that you would generally buy? Why or why not?
• Do think this book will have wider appeal because it was written by a man?
• Albert Camus said “There is no love of life without despair of life.” Matt Haig said he initially found this quote pretentious. What does it mean to you?

Matt Haig's The Comfort Book can be dipped into at any point.

Book Club Questions on The Comfort Book (If you haven't read the book)

• “If you aim to be something you are not, you will always fail. Aim to be you.” Would you like to share any life instances when you haven’t behaved authentically?
  
• Matt Haig also wrote The Midnight Library, which writes about someone’s experiences on the brink of suicide. It is also a feel-good book. Do you like an author to surprise you by writing in different genres, or do you prefer a level of predictability in a writer’s approach to topic and theme?
  
• “Nothing is stronger than a small hope that doesn’t give up.” What gives you hope?
  
• One of Matt Haig’s favourite films is The Sound of Music. This is because it shows how love and music and joy can’t be suppressed by the darkest forces of history. What film do you find inspirational and why?

Personal Response to Matt Haig's The Comfort Book

“Feel what you feel,” says Matt Haig. “Sometimes it is good to howl.” What’s not to like? Although written with a lightness of touch, the message of The Comfort Book is profound. Connection is all.
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Some of the text in The Comfort Book can be viewed as an inspiration for personal activities, such as writing a list of music that is significant or cheer inspiring. I think that this book would be wonderful to dip into as a class tutor, parent or teenager. Obviously, I have no way of knowing if this is true, but my hunch is that this book has helped many people who are in complete despair.