I sometimes wonder, how many book bloggers are introverts? The nature of spending hours immersed in fictional worlds away from reality or writing reviews, thinking and analysing is per definition highly introspective. This doesn’t mean that extroverts can’t enjoy such activities, but it wouldn’t surprise me if book blogging as a regular hobby have higher appeal to the more introverted amongst us.
A lot of people – including extroverts – have been singing the praises of Quiet and mentioned how reading it made a difference in their lives. Admittedly, I was sceptical. From a very young age I had a good grasp on what introversion meant and how I needed to manage my own need for downtime to avoid turning into a grumpy, little monster. So would Susan Cain be able to teach me anything?
I guess the answer was yes. And even if I was already aware of many of Cain’s points, it was interesting to have them presented in a structured way and supported by concrete examples.
For instance, I enjoyed Cain’s illustration of how our Western society, especially the US, is completely geared towards the power of extroverts. She also provided a quick overview of how society has changed over time and why it has become like this (of course Quiet was written before the Covid crisis, I suspect the last couple of months have mostly been the time of the introverts).
One example, which I couldn’t help laughing at, was Cain’s description of Tony Robbins’ course, Unleash the Power Within. In the spirit of the course, overenthusiastic people are yelling, high-fiving and treating Robbins like a rock star in a ridiculously upbeat manner. I cannot rule out that his courses are highly useful, but I’d say Cain pretty much described my worst nightmare.
Of course, we humans cannot be classified in boxes and all introverts are different. Still, introverts are bound to recognise some of the characteristics Cain describes and might even be surprised about the reasons behind some of them.
I have never felt introversion made me a lesser person or gave me much trouble in my professional life. Nevertheless, I liked the examples of how the typical traits of an introvert can be used to excel. Some professions like science, art and technology might actually be extremely well suited to introverts. The two people who build the foundation for modern science (Einstein & Newton) were amongst the examples mentioned by Cain.
Even in jobs we think of as being extrovert, such as corporate leaders or telemarketers, studies indicate that introverts don’t do worse than extroverts. Actually, introverts are often succesful, but they rely on a different set of strengths.
Quiet covers introversion from a variety of angles. I found some chapters more interesting than others, but overall I enjoyed it and would highly recommend as a tool to understand yourself and others better. After all, between a third and a half of the population are estimated to be introverts.
Title: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking [2012] Author: Susan Cain Format: Audiobook, narrated by Kathe Mazur Genre: Nonfiction, self-help
Loved this review, this book has been on my radar for quite some time as I am probably your classic example of an introvert. Must read this soon!
Thanks, I believe it’s a useful read for all introverts! I hope you’ll enjoy it, if you decide to pick it up!
Between a third and half are introverts? Why do I always seem surrounded by extraverts then? π I don’t mind extraverts and need them even to get me out of my bubble but I’d love some more people like me irl too. Maybe they stay in their corner too, it might be a readon I don’t see them. I know the world is so dominated by extraverted people, even in school as a child it’s not ok to be more quiet than the rest. I saw a great tedtalk about it, that made me feel better and understood. I think the novel would have the same effect. Great review!
Haha, as Cain describes, you cannot necessarily recognise an introvert unless you know the person well, so perhaps there are more introverts around you than you think.Many introverts can appear outgoing when out in company, the thing introverts have in common is that they need quiet time to gather energy, whereas the extroverts get energy from being around a lot of people. It would be great if everyone were aware of the content of Quiet, so the temperament of introvert people (incl children) would be taken into account. Thanks Inge! π
Wonderful review! Love the sound of this one and must see if I can get it from the library!
Thanks Nicki, I hope you can get it from the library, it really was a good read! π
Great review! I might need to keep an eye out for this one.
Thanks, I think it is worth reading, especially if you are an introvert!
I definitely feel the world is made up of half introverts. The problem is, we introverts often have to take on extroverted characteristics in order to survive, and so it appears as though we too are one of the extroverts. As a school teacher, my job is to be enthusiastic and vocal all day long to a group of children. It might appear as if I’m totally loving the attention, but honestly, I go home most nights drained of energy. I think a lot of introverts face the same challenge: trying to navigate a world that caters almost exclusively to extroverts.
Yes, that is very true, Cain wrote about that as well. Some introverts have an extroverted personality they can bring forward when necessary, as you say being quiet isn’t exactly a winner to a party or in most jobs. Like you, I also have an extroverted job, which I enjoy, but I need some quiet time in the evenings, where I don’t have to entertain or be with lots of people. It’s an interesting problem, but it seems that the introvert traits survive (in animals as well) which indicate that introverts have strengths as well relative to extroverts.
Great review! This book sounds like something I need to read, since I work in a field that seems to value extroversion haha.
Thanks! A lot of fields seem to value extroversion. I hope you will enjoy it, if you decide to go ahead and read it. π
This one has been on my radar for so long! Why do I never get around to it? π I’m an introvert who comes across as an extrovert; as you point out, many of us must do so to get along in an extroverted world. One of my sons is an out and out extrovert and having recently separated from his long-term partner, found himself isolated in a flat throughout the lockdown. He recognised the risks and filled his virtual diary with online interaction. My other son is highly introverted and has been relishing the opportunity to work from home and step away from the effort of coping with an open plan office etc. Talk about chalk and cheese! And yet, they get along really well and are very close and mutually supportive of each other.
I could say that about lots of books! Why do I never get around to them? Interesting that your two sons are so different. I think introvert people often benefit from being around extrovert people (and presumably the other way around as well) so I am not surprised they get along well. Glad your extrovert son has managed to cope with the lockdown. It’s a good thing we have all this technology, which makes virtual socialising relatively easy. π
I always find the idea of introverts and extroverts a bit discombobulating, since I think I’m both or either, or neither, depending on the circumstances. I’m interested that she says introverts do just as well as extroverts at jobs that are seen as extrovert, since that suggests that other people switch on and off too.
Perhaps you are an ambivert? Introvert vs extrovert isn’t determined by your behaviour, though. Many introverts are great public speakers and very outgoing when out and about. The difference is whether you need to spend some time on your own to gather energy between your social outings or whether you gather your energy from being around a lot of people and don’t cope well with spending too much time on your own.
Lovely review, Stargazer! I want to read this one. Iβve always been told Iβm an extrovert but as I age Iβm becoming more of an introvert and homebody. I think Iβm an ambivert, right there in the middle!
Thanks Jennifer! Honestly, I think all of us – introverts as well as extroverts – become less outgoing as we get older. It’s a sad fact of life, but most of us just don’t have the same energy levels as we had at 21! π
What an excellent review! I definitely fall into the introvert category, although I can be quite happy and appear extrovert at book events, haha! I like the sound of this book. I hate the fact society points the finger at introverts sometimes and pushes everyone to be open and loud.
Thanks Meggy! π There were some good examples of how – in certain environments – it’s almost impossible to do well as an introvert no matter how talented you are. Unfortunately, I doubt that is going to change, it’s very ingrained in our society.
Iβve heard of this book but never seen any reviews so thank you for sharing! Iβm definitely an introvert and will be adding it to my list. Youβre probably right as well that the book blogging community has a high proportion of introverts who would benefit from reading this book π X
You are welcome, I hope you will enjoy it, if you decide to read it. Perhaps we should do an anonymous poll about introversion in the book blogging community. I bet, there is a high percentage! π
Long live introverts! π I do have to admit that the world needs to know about us and how we function to better appreciate our contribution. I have always been curious about this book and will keep it on my TBR now. Great review!
Indeed! π It was nice to read, that nature at least sees introversion as a useful trait, otherwise it would have been weeded out – survival of the fittest and all that… π I thinks it was an interesting book, which many people would benefit from, including extraverts. Thanks!
Wonderful review. This is one of my favorite books. I’m glad that you recognized introverted traits early on, it must have saved you a lot of trouble! I didn’t, and although I felt a little different from many of my friends and social circles it really wasn’t until I read this that I understood myself better. It helped me so much. And I agree that it’s valuable for extroverts to read too. Reading your thoughts on it makes me want to reread it, you’re reminding me of so much about it. Thanks for the thoughtful look at this one!
Thanks! π I am sure the book must have helped thousands of introverts all over the world. Especially when you are very young, you may think it’s wrong not wanting to be with other people all the time. I am so glad it helped you as well. My main take-away probably was that the typical introvert traits are also valuable and have contributed to ground-breaking inventions and magnificent art. It seems that society has forgotten about that…
I thought exactly that, that it was something specifically wrong with me. I really wish I’d understood what I learned here sooner. It’s so unfortunate that especially in the US we’ve moved away from an appreciation of the strengths in those differences and designed systems that reward extroversion.
Yes, it is quite extreme. I think you can definitely adapt and get by as an introvert, but the book helps a lot by pointing out the potential issues and the reason why not all of us love the constant socialising and networking.