Bittersweet cover art

Bittersweet

How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole

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Bittersweet

By: Susan Cain
Narrated by: Susan Cain
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

From the author of the international mega-seller Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking.

In this inspiring masterpiece, best-selling author Susan Cain shows the power of 'bittersweetness'—a tendency towards sorrow and longing, an acute awareness of passing time and a piercing joy when beholding beauty. But what are the powers of a bittersweet, melancholic outlook?, she asks. And why has our culture been so blind to its value?

Bittersweetness recognises that light and dark, birth and death—bitter and sweet—are forever paired. As Bittersweet shows, our obsession with happiness is not making us happy, healthy or whole. It's only by embracing our darker emotions—as well as the light—that we discover our deepest meaning and connection, love and joy. It can change the way we work, the way we create and the way we love—for it is the hidden source of our love stories, moonshots and masterpieces.

With over four million copies sold worldwide, Susan Cain's Quiet explored the quiet riches of the introverted half of the population. In Bittersweet, Cain employs the same mix of research, storytelling and memoir. Following a trail of centuries-old artistic and wisdom traditions as well as contemporary psychology and management research, and reflecting on the emotional shifts of recent times, Cain reveals how bittersweetness is the key to leading a full and satisfying life. Using examples ranging from music and cinema to parenting and business, she shows how understanding bittersweetness will allow us to weather life's transitions; yet, until now, its power has been hiding in plain sight.

At a time of profound discord and personal anxiety, Bittersweet brings us together in deep and unexpected ways. Most of all, it shows us how to transform our personal and collective pain into creativity, transcendence and connection.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Susan Cain (P)2022 Penguin Audio
Death & Dying Essays Grief & Loss Relationships Happiness Nonfiction

What listeners say about Bittersweet

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Great storytelling

Another fantastic work by Susan Cain. Well constructed work merging science and art beautifully, bitter-sweet indeed!

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Inspirational

Loved this thought provoking book that articulates something I felt but not previously understood. This will help me further my work as a painter.

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Now I understand…

This book was a revelation for me. I always thought there was something inherently wrong with my wiring because I feel drawn to the bittersweet. This book has helped me understand myself, my longing and has given me a way to harness the emotions I feel.

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Did not disappoint

This book has been on my list for a while. After reading Quiet, I knew it would be a good and relatable read. I love that Susan Cain uses her own experience so honestly to get to the bottom of issues which she is curious about. This is a beautiful book that provides a lot to think about and best of all provides an antidote to the belief that there is no room in life for sadness or pain. It helps us to make meaning from our sorrows. Thanks again Susan.

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Couldn’t stop listening!

Thank you for sharing such a wise and deeply personal story, I loved every second and am about to re-listen! So beautiful and so much learnt!

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Such a great book. One I'll read again

If you loved her first book QUIET- This is different but great. I must say, it has a slightly more spiritual aspect to it and full of emotion which I loved.

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a great listen

love it
a great listen learnt a lot very insightful. would recommend it to anyone

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Beautiful, gentle view on life’s hardships

Beautifully narrated reminder life is full of good and horrible things we will all experience and to get through it without losing our minds. To live is to experience it all.

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Enneagram 4 food for the soul.

I am so grateful for this book and included loads of religious and spirituality material. Inspiring and soothing. I do not feel weird anymore. Thank you Susan.

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I long to…

…create something this beautiful. To encapsulate all these ideas from music, art, culture, history and personal story. SC weave’s them together like magic.

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