Happy: Why More or Less Everything is Absolutely Fine

Derren Brown

Nov 2018 · Transworld Digital · Narrated by Derren Brown

About this audiobook

Brought to you by Penguin.

The audiobook edition of Happy, read by Derren Brown.

Everyone says they want to be happy. But that's much more easily said than done. What does being happy actually mean? And how do you even know when you feel it?

In Happy Derren Brown explores changing concepts of happiness - from the surprisingly modern wisdom of the Stoics and Epicureans in classical times right up until today, when the self-help industry has attempted to claim happiness as its own. He shows how many of self-help's suggested routes to happiness and success - such as positive thinking, self-belief and setting goals - can be disastrous to follow and, indeed, actually cause anxiety.

Happy aims to reclaim happiness and to enable us to appreciate the good things in life, in all their transient glory. By taking control of the stories we tell ourselves, by remembering that 'everything's fine' even when it might not feel that way, we can allow ourselves to flourish and to live more happily.

"Crammed with wisdom and insight . . . I'm going to recommend it to everyone I know" Stephen Fry

"Witty, useful and beautifully written" The Sunday Times

© Derren Brown 2016 (P) Penguin Audio 2018

Ratings and reviews

If you're going to listen to it, this is obviously the difinitive version as it is read by the man himself. Its definitely worth a listen, certainly more so than ant of the other quick fix self help dross out there. Instead of focusing on money and possesions it focuses on the things in life that actually matter and that you dont need to be mega happy 24/7. Leaving some of the baggage and pretence around should leave you feeling lighter and hopefully better.

Beautifully wrote book. No matter who you are, you can benefit from the lessons 'happy' has to teach. It's read by Derren himself which makes this a much more fun and exciting experience. The effort, thought and time that has gone into this book is impressive. if you ever seen this Derren, I'd just like to say thank you for bringing this piece of art for humanity to see/hear. all the best

Overall, it's a good listen. I enjoyed most of this book and found it informative. I did find parts about death hard going, even if I agreed with some of what Derren was saying. Whether you like this book depends largely on whether you like Derren. I watch all his TV shows and find him fascinating. My Wife isn't a fan, and finds him annoying.

About the author

Derren began his UK television career in December 2000 with a series of specials called Mind Control. Since redefining the genre of magic for intelligent, modern audiences, he has become synonymous with the art of psychological manipulation. His TV shows have become must-see events. Amongst a varied and notorious career, Derren has played Russian Roulette on live television, convinced middle-managers to commit an armed robbery in the street, led the nation in a séance, stuck viewers to their sofas, successfully predicted the National Lottery, motivated a shy man to land a packed passenger plane at 30,000 feet, exposed psychic and faith-healing charlatans, and hypnotised a man to assassinate Stephen Fry. On top of this he tours the UK every year with a sell-out stage show and has recently finished a run on Broadway, NYC. He has published five books: Tricks of the Mind, Confessions of a Conjuror, Happy, A Little Happier and a book of his caricatures, Portraits.