To be honest, I was a bit sceptical about this book at first, probably because it indeed seemed counterintuitive from what people who had already read it told me about it. Still, I kind of like challenging myself that way; at best, I learn something new by looking at things from a different perspective and at worst, I completely disagree with everything and ignore everything this book says. Not entirely surprisingly, it turned out to be the first. 
 That is not to say I agree with everything Manson says. He tends to put things quite bluntly, to which I initially respond with instant avertion. Nevertheless, when he then elaborates and expands on his ideas, it turns out that there's something to be said for that blunt statement after all - not entirely the way he puts it, per se, but at least the idea or theory behind it. I found myself agreeing with some things and disagreeing with others, but a lot of the things Manson says ring true, somewhere deep down, and make me think about myself, my life, and the world, but also the way I think and feel and see things, and change my perspective, if only a little. 
 The writing style is clear, smooth, and pleasant. There are no long or dreary parts, but Manson also doesn't rush through things; he lingers on every subject just long enough and then moves on to something else, so the book never gets boring. He doesn't preach and he doesn't order his readers around, but he shares with them the things he has learnt in his life, these lessons sometimes seasoned with an anecdote or personal story to provide examples or to illustrate a point without it becoming a too-long rant about himself and what he has been through. I think it's an interesting new point of view and a good way to look at things another way, which is necessary sometimes.