The Courage to Be Disliked: How to Free Yourself, Change Your Life, and Achieve Real Happiness

Ichiro Kishimi · Fumitake Koga

May 2018 · Simon and Schuster · Narrated by Noah Galvin, Graeme Malcolm, and January LaVoy

About this audiobook

An international bestseller and TikTok sensation with more than 10 million copies sold worldwide, The Courage to Be Disliked is a transformative and practical guide to personal happiness and self-fulfillment.

Now you can unlock your full potential and free yourself from the shackles of past traumas and societal expectations to find true personal happiness. Based on the theories of renowned psychologist Alfred Adler, this book guides you through the principles of self-forgiveness, self-care, and mind decluttering in a straightforward, easy-to-digest style that’s accessible to all.

The Courage to Be Disliked unfolds as a dialogue between a philosopher and a young man, who, over the course of five enriching conversations, realizes that each of us is in control of our life’s direction, independent of past burdens and expectations of others.

Wise, empowering, and profoundly liberating, this book is a life-changing experience that shows you a path to lasting happiness and how to finally be the person you truly want to be. Millions are already benefiting from its teachings—and you can be next.

Ratings and reviews

It's really good and resonates with my life philosophy. didn't know it may way of life was a 'thing' before it. I just thought of myself as different. I love the way the concept was presented, albeit it is difficult at times. get through it, though. finishing it is worth it as it all becomes clearer at the end.

protagonist is not realistic, but when you think about this essentially being translated from Japanese and they have different ways of expressing things, you can forgive it. the principals of this book are awesome and make you think. I have probably listened to this more than 10 times. Although not a great read (listen) probably my favorite book to think about life in these terms

This book simplifies Adlerian Psychology with the use of a dialogue between a youth which represents the reader, and a philosopher, hence representing us and our need for clarity of the concepts and philosophies. Well written. One will walk away with enlightened view of how to navigate lifes challenges, understanding why they're complicated in the first place.

About the author

Ichiro Kishimi was born in Kyoto, where he currently resides. He writes and lectures on Adlerian psychology and provides counseling for youths in psychiatric clinics as a certified counselor and consultant for the Japanese Society of Adlerian Psychology. He is the translator, into Japanese, of selected writings by Alfred Adler—The Science of Living and Problems of Neurosis—and he is the author of Introduction to Adlerian Psychology, in addition to numerous other books.

Fumitake Koga is an award-winning professional writer and author. He has released numerous bestselling works of business-related and general non-fiction. He encountered Adlerian psychology in his late twenties and was deeply affected by its conventional wisdom–defying ideas. Thereafter, Koga made numerous visits to Ichiro Kishimi in Kyoto, gleaned from him the essence of Adlerian psychology, and took down the notes for the classical “dialogue format” method of Greek philosophy that is used in this book.

Malcolm Graeme has appeared on and off Broadway in Aida, The King and I, Lincoln Center's Hapgood, and M. Butterfly (National Tour). His television appearances include Law & Order, Follow the River, and Mr. Halpern and Mr. Johnson (with Laurence Olivier). Film credits include A Further Gesture, The Adventures of Sebastian Cole, and Reunion.