Review: A Personal Journey Toward Satisfaction
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 20, 2013
"Delusions of Grandeur" poses the questions that so many people struggle with: "Why am I so unsatisfied? And what can I do about it?" Jason Najum, in this mix of memoir and social commentary, attempts to answer the question by drawing in his own experiences and revelations.Najum describes himself as being a voyeur through most of his life--standing outside of things that were happening and merely observing them, wondering why he feels so disconnected. He goes through a phase of trying to obliterate those feelings with partying, friends, and drinking, but ultimately can't shake his discontent. Eventually, he decides to "go underground" and find the answers.The book explores why, in an age where we have everything at our fingertips, we are still so unhappy without our lives; it also explores how we are able to turn away from the horrors and atrocities of the world by distracting ourselves with materialism and technology. Najum dips back into the past, both of humankind and of his own, to draw conclusions and parallels about happiness, contentment, and fulfillment.His ultimate conclusion? That our culture has failed to evolve. We are not learning from our past, and shedding our mistakes to become stronger. Instead, we just keep engaging in the same activities and behaviors, accepting things that don't truly make us happier, stronger people, and then wondering why we're so unhappy. He makes a very relatable metaphor--that of struggling between the clumsy, nerdy Clark Kent persona and the all-powerful Superman, tapping into a wish that we all have to do one great thing, to do something amazing. But, when we're content with the status quo and not willing to take the risk and do something amazing, something out of the box, life will ultimately be a disappointment. And so, as a reflection, will our culture.In addition to being a thoughtful, articulate exploration of just why such a successful nation is so full of unhappy, depressed people, "Delusions of Grandeur" is also a good read because of Najum's easy writing style and his way with imagery. The entire book is written conversationally, just as if a friend is telling you a story. It never becomes too angry or insistent, but instead presents its thesis calmly and with supporting evidence, which makes it more convincing. The memoir parts are well-described, with phrases that stick with you; of his childhood, he says "the scenes are still there for me to touch;" of his dark days at college, when he's lost and adrift and growing tired of it all, he knows he is "painting with a dark brush." And he describes his dissatisfaction: "Torn between what I saw and what I could not help but feel, frustrated at the daily void I couldn't stop tonguing, like the gap from a missing tooth, I became anxious and desperate."In short, "Delusions of Grandeur" will be a great read for someone who is experiencing their own dissatisfaction in the life and looking for someone who understands; for someone who wants to do something about that aching emptiness they feel even though they have "full" lives; or for someone who's just looking to think and wants a great read that sparks a discussion.