A Book of Secrets: Finding comfort in a complex world THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

Description

The bestselling author of HAPPY and TRICKS OF THE MIND turns his back on the Stoics who informed his last book, in a new wonderfully wise and entertaining exploration of how we best live and grow. There is a difference between happiness and living well. In his thoughtful and brilliant new book, Derren Brown, internationally bestselling author of HAPPY, considers the value of difficulty in our lives. Perhaps it is in those times when we are forced to cope with adversity that we find the most meaningful rewards. As he navigates middle age, love and small talk, he dispenses with self-help platitudes and wonders if perhaps we need to more comfortably embrace uncertainty. Is anxiety in fact a pointer for growth? In chapters that take us back to the scene of childhood humiliation, to lonely evenings on tour, to the high stress of a house move, Derren explores that when we feel most alone we are often most connected to others and the flow of life. Guiding us through the ideas of some of humanity's greatest thinkers, he asks if, rather than focusing on self-improvement, we might instead prioritise a better interaction with the people around us? Learn how to gather ourselves up when we need to and make sure we fully appear in our own lives, rather than watching from the sidelines? In a book that is both deeply personal and profound, Derren reveals his own moments of anger and frustration, loneliness and loss, and finds surprising sources of consolation and compassion.

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 seance, 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.

Enlightening, thought-provoking and illuminating. Derren Brown asks questions about the world, and his intelligent curiosity benefits us all. -- Elizabeth Day