Rating: 
Summary: An excellent essay for loners
Review: I really enjoyed this book. It's good to be reminded that there are other loners out in the world. I've learned to be social, but it's a drag and not something I enjoy. Her book has inspired me to seek solitude, true solitude, if the opportunity should present itself. Previously I felt like I shouldn't isolate myself, although I wanted to, because 'it isn't healthy'(according to the mob). When I enter the next phase of my life, it will be alone. I'm already looking forward to it.
Thank you for writing down your thoughts Anneli.
Rating: 
Summary: Take a peak into the life of that person in the corner ....
Review: Growing up, Barbra Streisand sang that "people who need people are the luckiest people in the world." I didn't get it. It wasn't until a few years ago, after accidentally overhearing someone refer to me as a loner that I ever considered that I might be one. Whereas I looked at other people, those of whom were needy and dependant, as strange and somewhat pitiful, it wasn't until I read this book that I realized that they felt that way about me! All along I considered myself perfectly normal while now I see that the "other side" -- the nonloners -- saw me as the unusual one. This book doesn't so much try to explain why loners and nonloners act the way they do than to expose and explore the two disparate types of thinking and behaviors. It's a great source for either entity to enter the inside of the other side.
Rating:
Summary: Take a peak into the life of that person in the corner ....
Review: Growing up, Barbra Streisand sang that "people who need people are the luckiest people in the world." I didn't get it. It wasn't until a few years ago, after accidentally overhearing someone refer to me as a loner, that I ever considered that I might be one. Whereas I looked at other people, those of whom were needy and dependant, as a little strange and somewhat pitiful, it wasn't until I read this book that I realized that they probably felt the same way about me! Whereas all along I had considered myself perfectly normal, now I was faced with the idea that the "other side" -- the nonloners -- saw me as the unusual one. This book doesn't so much try to explain why loners and nonloners act the way they do than to expose and explore the two disparate types of thinking and behaviors. It's a great source for either entity to enter the inside of the other side.
Rating:
Summary: A Good Beginning
Review: I hope Party of One will begin a genre filling a tidy place in the psychology/self-help sections of popluar book stores. We who are loners have felt as I am sure gays and lesbians felt before Stonewall. They had some sporadic literature and contacts but no real confirmation that they weren't crazy. Neither are we loners. At last someone is helping those of us less able to quantify and articulate our experiences and lives in words to feel relieved, comfortable. There are times the book felt rushed in it's writing, sometimes strident, some times a little contemptious but worth the read for anyone who is a loner or knows one. I wish my parents had this information while raising me. I wish all of those insistent well meaning acquaintances inviting me as the pity guest to holiday celebrations could and would read this book. I hate being a pity guest. I wish all those who don't understand when I just want to go home that it really has nothing to do with them would read this book. Perhaps Ms Rufus could write a second book on the subject. She is a good writer. And, hopefully her publisher will catch the typos next time around. Oh, and, when I think about it, a lot of what she writes about harkens back to those old(?) ideas of respect and good manners. No wonder I miss those days despite being a liberal. PLEASE READ THIS BOOK, and then leave us alone. Thanks.
Rating:
Summary: I'm not alone in being alone
Review: I loved this book. Finally! Someone to articulate my situation. I cannot stand being around crowds of people, I cannot stand people who scream on AM television or those people who crowd into Times Square on New Year's Eve. What is that about? My family and friends question me "How can you go on vacation by YOURSELF?" "How can you go to films and restaurants by YOURSELF?" I enjoy being alone, going to the beach alone, dining out alone, traveling alone. Our society would consider me to be a freak but this book sets the record straight. I am not a social outcast or a serial killer. I do not require company and constant attention. Parties and holidays are a drag. Rufus mentions many familiar situations in this book where "loners" will be able to identify themselves. I feel silly writing this, but the book did make me feel better about myself. I've carried guilt for years about wanting to be alone all of the time, avoiding the Mob, leaving family gatherings early because I was going nuts, etc. This book is liberating!
I especially liked the chapter on "love" and how we loners do need it but are selective. You wouldn't believe the idiots my friends date just so they are not "alone." Three cheers for Anneli Rufus. I wish everyone on the planet could read this book so they can understand "loners" and then, without judgment, kindly leave us alone! Good read, great cover jacket design too!
Rating:
Summary: Aaah. Someone understands.
Review: In a way, reading this book made me sad, altho it felt good to have 'support' at last, too. As an off-the-chart introvert and loner female, I've always felt like a fish out of water in this planet - but in my many years of life have learned "coping" skills to maintain my sanity and to survive in this world. [When I was younger I went as far as often making up stories for coworkers on Mondays, about my weekend rendevouz with friends, just so I wouldn't be considered strange or lonely -- when in reality I'd spent many weekends all by myself (and happy as can be). As I read the book I realized my coping skills had kept me sane, and accepted by them -- true, but compromised my real self in the process. To the point that -- I almost lost me! This book made me ask -- Who was I protecting by not being true to myself? Me or the world -- lest, heaven forbid they may have to "deal" with something complex and enigmatic? While the non-loners remained themselves -- a part of me, died. Not anymore. Not since reading this book. "A Party of One" made me sad and may make other loners sad too. But then again, they may become righteously indignant as well, as I did, and can say "no more!" I have to thank the author, for stirring up a resolve to never again compromise so much of who I am just because most of the world won't understand. They don't have to understand. THEY don't have to understand.
Rating:
Summary: Member of the non-club
Review: It would have been nice to have been able to give a book like this to a couple of my ex-boyfriends who would get offended when I told them I wanted to spend the night at home alone chillin' instead of hanging out with them. "Okay, what have I done to piss you off?" "Nothing. It's not about you, it's about me." They never got it.
Anyway, it was a good read and it's nice to find someone who does get it. Like some of the other reviews though, I think it's a tad unfair to refer to the all of the non-loners simply as "the mob" as there are varying degrees of acceptance amongst them. Still, I'd recommend it as a form of armor for the loners who get constantly pestered by the less understanding people (high school cliques, workplace party circuits, etc.)
Rating:
Summary: Insight into "Loners"
Review: Party of One is a must read for anyone who knows someone who is a loner. It will help all better understand loners and why we do the things we do. The book covers a variety of issues from family, dating, friendships, marriage and true love, the workplace and other situations that loners and our actions are misunderstood. Although the reading gets tougher in the later chapters, i still recommemd the book to everyone.
Rating:
Summary: A Nice Read
Review: This book will certainly be a good friend on a cold day curled up in your favorite chair with a good cup of tea. If your one who prefers yourself to being around others then you may well find solace in these pages. Go ahead and enjoy it, it is peaceful.
Rating: 
Summary: A profound excuse, not effort
Review: Upon further investigation one might become dissatisfied to learn that there is no profound meaning or explanation for why "individuals" choose to spend time alone and away from others. There are specific examples of famous people and stories related from the headlines, but this attempt falls far short. It is laughable and suspect at best. Much of the logic insults one's intelligence, perhaps that is the point, this work is satire and no one has caught onto that fact....
There is nothing psychologically based, nor scientifically proven about the claims stated. There are arguements made, but the circumstances are contrived at best; see the chapter about Columbine High School, Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris....
If profundity is what a reader seeks, then simply read the anecdote about the author's father, dying in the hospital, "leave me alone" he says, just as this book should conclude without so much fluff and diatribe.
|
