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The Myth of Normal

Trauma, Illness & Healing in a Toxic Culture

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The Myth of Normal

By: Gabor Maté, Daniel Maté
Narrated by: Daniel Maté
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About this listen

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% of Europeans suffer high blood pressure, and nearly 70% 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 book 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.

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

 Mental Health Personal Development Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Stress Management Health Inspiring Thought-Provoking Mythology

Critic reviews

Gabor Mate takes us on an epic journey of discovery about how our emotional well-being, and our social connectivity (in short: how we live), is intimately intertwined with health, disease and addictions ... This riveting and beautifully written tale has profound implications for all of our lives, including the practice of medicine and mental health
Wise, sophisticated, rigorous and creative: an intellectual and compassionate investigation of who we are and who we may become
A book literally everyone will be enriched by - a wise, profound and healing work that is the culmination of Dr Maté's many years of deep and painfully accumulated wisdom
An astonishing achievement, epic in scope and yet profoundly down-to-earth and practical. I will read this book again and again
Brilliant, compelling and groundbreaking. Gabor Maté offers us a way to bring clear seeing and a greatness of heart to the crisis of our times
A book in which readers can seek refuge and solace during moments of profound personal and social crisis
Gabor Maté's connections - between the intensely personal and the global, the spiritual and the medical, the psychological and the political - are bold, wise and deeply moral. He is a healer to be cherished
A compelling book that will challenge your views and help lift the veil of illusion to what is truly happening in your mind and in your body
Gripping ... a powerful call for change in how we live with, love, understand, treat, and think about each other
Dr Maté has completely transformed how the world sees, talks about and understands trauma. And he has absolutely had that impact on me and it's been life-changing.
All stars
Most relevant
Rich, challenging text and great narration. A must listen for anyone looking for an unflinching analysis of humanity.

More life changing insights from Dr Maté

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I became aware of Dr Gabor Mate relatively recently. After watching a few YouTube videos and Instagram lives I concluded that he was answering some very poignant questions about life and in particular my own issues and those of my parent-child relationship.

This is a very broad spectrum book that is representative of the knowledge and experience of Dr and Daniel Mate. Between them they really do possess a huge amount of knowledge about life, the brain and the body, and they appreciate how all of these play together in the wonderful and often painful orchestra that is life.

I would counter any of the reviews that say that the book is badly or incorrectly read. I personally found the narrator to be perfect, and nobody could be better to read it than an author or Co-author. I read a lot of audio books and when the original authors read their own words, it adds precisely what is needed to the literature.

Choosing to read this book was my form of self-therapy and while it confirmed my own view of life and enriched my inner world view it also didn't remove all of my inner torments about this damaging society in which we live. However, I am AuDHD so chances are I've missed something vital and I plan to re-read this book again in the near future.

In conclusion, Daniel and his dad between them have a quite uniquely well-rounded knowledge about the body and the mind and this book is very thought-provoking, somewhat therapeutical, and well worth a read (and review).

Genuinely brilliant book

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Rage is too strong a word. Let's just say I've come to the end of the line with narrators pitching their voices all high and soft and whispery when they speak a woman's part. It's so cringey! This chap is a top offender. And as for accents - in a popular science book? - NO! Double cringe, they're awkwardly rendered and totally unnecessary. Would-be narrators of non-fiction: unless you can flow the way Justin Webb does in the reading of his autobiography, don't attempt it. Or possibly only actresses should be employed to read Audible books. Other than that, I love Gabor Mate's work, he could revolutionise medicine if they'd let him

I had "narrator rage" with this

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Fantastic observations, but Gabor swallowed the critical race theory pill and ruined a chapter or two with it. I think if one understands theories of mass consciousness they understand that the trauma of being a minority race is often based simply on conformity and not only on some kind of racism being perpetuated by mean white people living out their traumas. Just simple, ordinary conformity issues.

Great book but with slight wokeness vibes

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This has helped me see trauma in a different way. The subject is fascinating and sheds new light on the way trauma occurs and how we can deal with it.

Thought provoking!

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