The Gifts of Imperfection: 10th Anniversary Edition
Written and Narrated By: Brené Brown
Length: 4 hrs and 31 mins
Obviously Brown’s first baby steps—bypass if you’ve listened to her later works…
I first bought The Gifts of Imperfection aaaaages ago after 1) I’d seen her on her much-viewed TED Talk, and 2) It was the Daily Deal on Audible. Never got around to listening to it cuz it was narrated by someone OTHER than Dr. Brown, but now ‘twould appear that she’s gone and re-recorded it for the 10th anniversary edition. So naturally I snatched this newer recording up… esPECially after my therapist gave me an: Uhm, ya miiiiiight wanna listen to that one, like, NOW…
Quite frankly, now that I HAVE listened to it, I’m wondering just what made this audiobook so pertinent to my current situation (Been doing Telehealth appointments through the pandemic). Can’t say I felt much from it; can’t say I disliked it either, tho.
Generally, and historically I might add, I’ve been a Super Fan of Brown. But after listening to this, I’m wondering about her broadness of experience. I mean, I realize that she was encouraged to write about an experience that was so pertinent to her, that had such profound effects on her spirit, that was so extraordinary that it started a movement and garnered her a gazillion (and six) fans, but Jiminy H. Cricket—Everything that’s in this book is in her later books, YouTube videos, TED appearances. Gremlins? Here. Her spiritual breakdown and dashing to see a therapist and warning she’s not to get into any of that “childhood crap” is here. Her most damaging and damning speaking engagement where she was browbeaten for being a shame researcher and went on to tell genteel rich women that Happy Good, Happy Important is here.
I’m assuming that this book is where it all started, her publishing empire, her heavy duty speaking engagement schedule, and I further realize that research builds on itself, grows and morphs as more is learned and experienced. But I’m wondering why eeeeeach book has to have all of the same stuff, ya know?
So seriously. If you want to reeeeeally learn about wholehearted living, about getting up after you’ve failed, about learning to live turning the other cheek and embracing other’s opinions, check out her later work. Do keep in mind also the difference between a recording, and a workshop. The workshops are to die for as that’s when Brown’s personality shines, where her storyteller skills come forth, where we get to feel her complete engagement with an open and encouraging audience. Blah blah blah it’s always best when she narrates her own books and all that so get her own narrations BUT doooo put those aside in favor of the workshops, as her simple narration usually is rather stilted. That it’s her doing her own stories and reading the words she’s fond of (Such as “sucky”) is a plus; that she’s just reading in a bit of a monotone is not.
Still, if you feel you can handle only baby steps, do start here and join Brown as she’s beginning her spiritual journey to a better life. I’ve seen (and heard) some reviewers/commenters saying she has rich white people problems, and p’raps there’s a bit of truth to that. But I dooooo soooo love her Texas Storyteller Ways, and I do appreciate her sincerity.
Not her best, but it’s rather interesting to listen to this and see the beginnings of what would become a juggernaut movement, inspiring websites, podcasts, team building, and leadership guidelines.
May all OUR own baby steps leave such giant footprints in the sand, huh?
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