Review of The Pursuit of Happiness

[Sheila Joseph 1]

[Following is a volunteer review of "The Pursuit of Happiness" by Paul Lucas Scott.]

---

5 out of 5 stars

---

Share This Review

---

The main theme of the novel The Pursuit of Happiness by Paul Lucas Scott reflects the multifaceted idea of people’s emotions, the attainment of happiness, and the purpose of life. The plot of a book being considered is focused on the protagonist who goes on a journey, be it a geographical one or in a figurative sense, searching for the meaning of happiness. The story combines the contemplation of the protagonist’s mind with the issues that people may face in their daily lives. Considering that Scott is the author of the novel, it is possible to notice that he tends towards introspection, and it is through the main character that the author develops many themes of the book, such as happiness, and achievement, as well as the meaning of life. 

The characters are realistic and complex, each of them serving as the embodiment of people’s striving for a better life and their attempts to find it. Many critics have noted that Scott has been very successful in As I Lay Dying in telling a contemplative narrative that is at the same time an ordinary story. This work does not present happy-clappy solutions to the problem of happiness, which can be easily applied to practice, but raises the readers’ consciousness and makes them think about their own lives and purposes of existence. Contemporary stylistic features may be offenders; some readers might find the book too slow because there is much more inner-thinking and development than swift action. 

The flaws that can be attributed to The Pursuit of Happiness are mostly concerning the pace of the book and the redundancy of themes. Some readers prefer a more tangible narrative and plot, and this aspect may not answer their expectations; the secondary characters are underexplored and mostly exist to further the development of the main character’s introspection rather than having their unique arcs.

Altogether, The Pursuit of Happiness is a profound and contemplative book for people who like philosophical narratives and ultimate questions about the nature of happiness and success ‘behind’ the working life. The book is impeccably edited, and as a result, I rate it 5 out of 5 stars. My rating is purely based on the author's genuine efforts and not my dislike of the book. 

******
The Pursuit of Happiness
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon