The Myth of Normal

Reviews

“A sweeping analysis of the relationship between illness, trauma, and capitalism. . . . Maté brings compassion to his examination of societal failures and elucidates how addiction is often an attempt to quell the pain of having been abused . . . [and] marshals an impressive amount of research to outline an original and persuasive vision of health focused on environmental influences and the interplay between the mind and body. . . . This bold reappraisal has the power to change how readers think about health. —Publishers Weekly

“A sweeping examination of the roots of today’s mental illness epidemic. . . . [The Myth of Normal is] an important, insightful book explaining how society became a vortex of mental illness and offering possible remedies.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Explosive. . . . [The Myth of Normal] exhaustively examines the disconnect between our authentic selves and the consumer culture around which we continue to bend ourselves out of shape.” —The Independent

“[The Myth of Normal] offer[s] a radically thoughtful approach to the wounds of our world, suggesting new ways of bearing witness to personal and social diseases. Far removed from medical jargon, this book intimately explores Maté’s own health journey and invites readers to reconsider theirs. From the intricacies of brain chemistry to rethinking what is deemed 'normal,' the breadth of scope in the book is astounding. Beautifully written, with clear, accessible prose, this book changes the modern-day discussion on health and healing.” —Vine Awards Jury

“In The Myth of Normal, 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.” —Bessel van der Kolk, MD, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Body Keeps the Score

“Wise, sophisticated, rigorous and creative: an intellectual and compassionate investigation of who we are and who we may become. Essential reading for anyone with a past and a future.” —Tara Westover, New York Times bestselling author of Educated

“The Myth of Normal is 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.” —Johann Hari, New York Times bestselling author of Stolen Focus

“Gabor and Daniel Maté have delivered a book in which readers can seek refuge and solace during moments of profound personal and social crisis. The Myth of Normal is an essential compass during disorienting times.” —Esther Perel, psychotherapist, author, and host of Where Should We Begin?

“A thorough and inspiring work of the heart, this book urges us to question our assumptions and think deeply about who we are and how we can live more fully and freely, harnessing the power of the mind to bring healing and wholeness into our shared lives on Earth.” —Daniel J. Siegel, MD, New York Times bestselling author of IntraConnected

“Gripping. . . . The Myth of Normal is a powerful call for change in how we live with, love, understand, treat, and think about each other, by someone ideally situated to map the terrain and to give us some valuable tools with which to navigate it.” —Rebecca Solnit, author of Men Explain Things to Me

“An astonishing achievement, epic in scope and yet profoundly down to earth and practical. I believe it will open the gates to a new time where we come to understand that our emotions, culture, bodies and spirits are not separate and wellness can only come about if we treat the whole being. I will read this book again and again.” —V (formerly Eve Ensler), author of The Vagina Monologues and The Apology

“Gabor Maté is brilliant and passionate, tender and fierce, writing with an urgent honesty. His analysis is comprehensive and penetrating, combining deep scholarship, hard-earned clinical wisdom, personal trauma, and practical suggestions.” —Rick Hanson, Ph.D., author of Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength, and Happiness

“Maté is a revolutionary thinker and gifted writer whose work has always inspired me. The Myth of Normal is no exception. It’s no exaggeration to say that this groundbreaking book can help us heal as individuals, families and a society.” —David Sheff, author of the New York Times #1 bestseller, Beautiful Boy: A Father’s Journey Through His Son’s Addiction

“Gabor Maté articulates bluntly, brilliantly and passionately what all of us instinctively know but none of us really want to face. . . . Though the book makes clear what’s so terribly wrong, it also points to how we can make it right. . . . The Myth of Normal is exactly what we need.” —Marianne Williamson, New York Times bestselling author of A Return To Love

“A powerful and surprising redemptive path out of the toxic illusion of 'normalcy.' This remarkable and revolutionary book will profoundly impact the wellbeing of self, society, and our earth at a time when wisdom and compassion are essential for our common survival.” —Rev. Joan Jiko Halifax, Abbot, Upaya Zen Center

“As if Gabor Maté hasn’t done enough already by depathologizing addiction, autoimmune diseases, and ADHD; now, in this magnum opus, he challenges us to expand our minds even further. . . . What’s remarkable about this beautifully written book is not just that he makes that bold contention, but how well he backs it up with an amazing amount of scientific research, compelling stories of his patients, and moving disclosures from his own life. . . . This book contains a prescription that, if we have the courage to follow, will heal us all.” —Richard Schwartz, Ph.D., creator of the Internal Family Systems Model and author of No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model

“Brilliant, compelling and groundbreaking. . . . Drawing on his decades of pioneering clinical work, fascinating contemporary science and contemplative wisdom, Maté offers us a way to bring clear seeing and a greatness of heart to the crisis of our times.” —Tara Brach, author of Radical Acceptance and Radical Compassion Expand reviews