I devoured this book like a starving dog. I suppose because I rarely come across somebody who was as unimpressed with the 'think positive or else' mentality. Life requires balance, and that is exactly what Ehrenreich is asking for. She takes the 'must be happy' lie apart, from its role in cancer to the economy. She does not champion depression or constant doom and gloom, but being aware, of one's self and what is happening around the self (and greater globe). The number of people who have told me, 'I never read or watch the news.' I weep. No wonder bad things are allowed to get so out of hand in this world, nobody was paying attention to say, 'Stop. Don't do that.' And sometimes there is a very real reason to be angry.

While reading I recalled a meal where a woman undergoing chemo was commended about how she never moaned, never mentioned how hard it was, she was just focusing on the fact that this was life, it had to be dealt with, she would get better, she wouldn't let it get her down.

I thought of all I read and knew about chemo. I turned to the woman and said, 'You ever have a really crappy day and need to vent without judgement, then phone me.'

I also recalled the time a woman told me she had been diagnosed with breast cancer for the third time. She said, 'I brought it on to myself.' She talked about her stress: trying to raise two girls on a very limited income after leaving her abusive husband. By not being positive enough in such a situation she felt she had brought the cancer.

I recalled the time a woman told me they were buying a house. The payments were more than her husband earned. But they had faith in the Lord. She quoted scriptures. She knew their faith would ensure that they'd be okay. Of course the crash came, they lost their house and now battle in their rented accommodation to keep the lights from being switched off. Yes, they should have been practical. But what about the ding-bat that looked at her husband's income and concluded providing such a mortgage was 'a good bet'?