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  • The Myth of Normal

  • Trauma, Illness & Healing in a Toxic Culture
  • By: Gabor Maté, Daniel Maté
  • Narrated by: Daniel Maté
  • Length: 18 hrs and 12 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (410 ratings)

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The Myth of Normal

By: Gabor Maté, Daniel Maté
Narrated by: Daniel Maté
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Publisher's Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

We tend to believe that normality equals health. Yet what is the norm in the Western world?

Mental illness is on an unstoppable rise. Some 45 percent of Europeans suffer high blood pressure, and nearly 70 percent of Americans take at least one prescription drug. Illness and trauma are defining how we live.

In his new masterpiece, renowned physician, addiction expert and author Gabor Maté dissects the underlying causes of this malaise—physical and emotional, and connects the dots between our personal suffering and the pressures of modern-day living. Over four decades of clinical experience, Dr Maté has found that the common definition of 'normal' is false: virtually all disease is actually a natural reflection of life in an abnormal culture, as we grow further and further apart from our true selves. But he also shows us the pathway to reconnection and healing.

Filled with stories of people in the grip of illness or in the triumphant wake of recovery, this life-affirming audiobook shows how true health is possible—if we are willing to embrace authenticity above social expectations. The Myth of Normal is Gabor Maté's most ambitious, compassionate and urgent book yet.

©2022 Gabor Maté and Daniel Maté (P)2022 Penguin Audio

What listeners say about The Myth of Normal

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

narrortors voices are terrible

Some good points. Other points seem to be cherry picked with smaller example. Should have gotten a proper narrator as Daniel's voices for characters was very bad.

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I wish Gabor had read this

I'm only a short way through but I'm already disappointed it's not Gabor reading it. I find it really hard to connect to books not read by the person I know who wrote it. I probably won't even listen to it all.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Absolutely brilliant - should be required reading for everyone

Gabor provides a comprehensive argument with broad ranging compelling empirical evidence about how we should be creating our society so that it’s consistent with compassion, nature and the natural world and mental and physical health for all. It should be general knowledge and required reading for everyone - parents, doctors, teachers, mental health professionals, policy makers, everyone!

I can’t recommend it enough and will be reading it again and again and recommending it to anyone who will listen.

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Brilliant

This book is excellent. It gives a whole new perspective. A whole new view that questions established norms with evidence backed theory.

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Must read for every human on earth

As much heart as there is intelligence- this is essential reading for all humans on earth.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Loved every minute of this book

Excellent read, covers so much ground and every chapter is food for the mind. Challenging and informative.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Eye opening. A guide to how to live life

Maté skilfully lays out a map of the human experience. He defines what our basic human needs are and not only how to achieve them, but to excel beyond them. There are detailed accounts of trauma, the way it derails our potential and the legacies it leaves, some even predating our own births.

Highly recommend for those who wish to improve their lives.

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Insightful

I guess you need to listen to it to be your own judge, but to me very insightful.

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A must read

What an important book. I got so much from it that I know I will revisit it again & again. A must read

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The most important book I’ve ever read.

Cannot recommend highly enough. The information in this book truely has the potential to save lives.

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