Man’s search for Meaning -Book review

Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This book changed my perspective towards life. Most of the time, we crib about trivial things and forget to count our blessings. Living, breathing, and moving with freedom is a great blessing we all need to cherish with full awareness.

It was not a light read. This book explains the hardships and inhuman treatment faced by people in concentration camps during World War II and how Dr. Viktor Frankl, who narrates the story, survived in the end.

A person who needed to live or die was just decided in a few seconds by the Concentration camp wardens by splitting them into two queues. One stays to work, and others are directed to gas chambers to die. A Man’s life or death was decided in a split second.

Frankl says that even a person who used to get disturbed by a slight disturbance in sleep was sleeping despite hearing loud snoring noise and other sounds. There was not enough space to sleep; they were stacked like objects in a tiny space with no gap between them.

A few key things struck me: having a purpose and a will to live can help a man navigate any difficulties or dire situations. Conversely, when he lost hope or gave up or resigned, which led to death in most of the concentration camp inmates. This happens not just in camps but even in the real world.

The story is narrated by Dr Viktor Frankl, who was among the inmates and experienced all their struggles. He visualises his wife holding hands and being with her despite her being in a different camp. He explains how the power of visualisation helped him to sail through the adverse situations in the camp.

He developed Logotherapy, a therapeutic approach focusing on helping individuals find meaning and purpose in life.





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