The Misanthropes Guide To Life reads like an excerpt out of a Larry David memoir, chock-full of sardonic, insightful commentary and situational based instances of what is commonly misconstrued as anti-social behavior. A misanthrope is defined as “one who hates mankind; a curmudgeon or a realist”.
The book aims to give fellow misanthropes a how-to guide on how to cope with a genetically hardcoded disdain for others – in a sarcastically jovial way. Considering myself a part of this demographic, I decided to absorb the book rather thoroughly while only pausing for short breaks to watch fellow misanthrope, Louie C.K.
A running concept throughout the book is essentially how to feign interest in people, a quality that some of the greatest misanthropes pride themselves on. While others on the more extreme side of the spectrum choose to avoid people entirely. The realist in most of us know that this is clearly impossible unless you happen to be the Emperor of Japan or a far eastern monarch of similar equivalence living in a randomly isolated sacred compound.
Misanthropes envy that level of isolation and solitude but can take solace in the guidance of the co-author, Philadelphia’s own Chris Turner-Neal. Neal addresses everyday contradictions for misanthropes like how to engage socially as well as deal with having and maintaining friends when you’d clearly prefer solitary confinement in your bedroom. These are the societal burdens of a common misanthrope and Neal’s writing is clearly at it’s best when dipping into elements of observational black comedy while seeming almost borderline ostentatious.
Another common theme of the misanthrope is social ethics. Neal and co-author Meghan Rowland touch on awkward, social-assassin-esque situations like “the courtesy wave: a vehicular acknowledgment” and focus on advanced defense mechanisms for how to avoid uncomfortable scenarios with strangers, colleagues or family. The authors argue that even though misanthropes are commonly misconstrued as the “anti-social” members of society, they are in fact superior at grasping situational ethics whereas “normal people” cannot.
However, beyond the American Psycho references, witty anecdotes, sarcastic one-liner quips and irrational suggestions (“just taze ‘em” was once proposed as a viable solution in the book), the authors actually sometimes make valid observational points from a logical perspective. Neal and Rowland also openly poke fun at themselves by insinuating that being a writer is an ideal profession, as you are essentially predisposed to being or becoming a misanthrope.
They even take aim at blogging as a misanthropic profession, claiming that it is “the act of sharing your ideas in silence – an obvious defense mechanism for misanthropes”. Although they stopped short of saying IT professional, it was already blatantly obvious that I was a misanthrope after finishing this book. I urge you to find your inner misanthrope and take isolated comfort in some of these anti-social inspired truths. And remember – keep your friends close but your defense mechanisms closer!
Want to win yourself a copy of The Misanthropes Guide To Life? Leave a comment about your favorite anti-social character, fictional or real, and we’ll select one of you at random sometime next week.
