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    Congratulations, by the way: Some Thoughts on Kindness
    Unavailable
    Congratulations, by the way: Some Thoughts on Kindness
    Unavailable
    Congratulations, by the way: Some Thoughts on Kindness
    Audiobook13 minutes

    Congratulations, by the way: Some Thoughts on Kindness

    Published by Penguin Random House Audio

    4/5

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    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • This inspiring meditation on kindness from the author of Lincoln in the Bardo is based on his popular commencement address.

    Three months after George Saunders gave a graduation address at Syracuse University, a transcript of that speech was posted on the website of The New York Times, where its simple, uplifting message struck a deep chord. Within days, it had been shared more than one million times. Why? Because Saunders's words tap into a desire in all of us to lead kinder, more fulfilling lives. Powerful, funny, and wise, Congratulations, by the way is an inspiring message from one of today's most influential and original writers.

    Praise for Congratulations, by the way

    "As slender as a psalm, and as heavy."-The New York Times

    "The graduating college senior in your life probably just wants money. But if you want to impart some heartfelt, plainspoken wisdom in addition to a check, you can't do much better than [Congratulations, by the way]."-Entertainment Weekly

    "The loving selflessness that [George Saunders] advises and the interconnectedness that he recognizes couldn't be purer or simpler-or more challenging."-Kirkus Reviews

    "Warm and tender."-Publishers Weekly
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateApr 22, 2014
    ISBN9780804193009
    Unavailable
    Congratulations, by the way: Some Thoughts on Kindness

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    Reviews for Congratulations, by the way

    4/5

    173 ratings11 reviews

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    • 3/5
      This is a commencement speech that Saunders gave to some university or other, sometime or other (you can see the details escaped me). As a commencement speech, it's probably pretty good: moderately amusing, elements of profundity that don't go too deep, short. In the end, way too short to provide any meaningful reflection, at least for me. I mean, it's not the worst thing I've ever read ...
    • 4/5
      An important message to graduates, before they start off into the world: they are not to forget to be kind, to each other, and to themselves as well, as much as they can, the rest will work out anyway. Sound advice, that.
    • 4/5
      Listened to as audiobook. A little over 12min long. Listened to twice in a row. A good speech on kindness, and what should be our perpetual pursuit of kindness. Great speech for graduates.
    • 4/5
      "Congratulations, by the way.

      When young, we're anxious - understandably - to find out if we've got what it takes. Can we succeed? Can we build a viable life for ourselves? But you - in particular you, of this generation - may have noticed a certain cyclical quality to ambition. You do well in high-school, in hopes of getting into a good college, so you can do well in the good college, in the hopes of getting a good job, so you can do well in the good job so you can....

      And this is actually O.K. If we're going to become kinder, that process has to include taking ourselves seriously - as doers, as accomplishers, as dreamers. We have to do that, to be our best selves." ~ George Saunders - Congratulations, By the Way: Some Thoughts on Kindness

      Short and sweet, Saunders delves into the subject of kindness in a profoundly simplistic way. This idea that we are so focused on our own narratives that we are blinded or even stunted to act in a way that suites others... in a way that asks for action, even conviction, not to mention effort on our part. He opens his speech by talking about the elderly and what they have learned, simply put, they have become kinder by living and learning. He states "What I regret most in my life are failures of kindness. Those moments when another human being was there, in front of me, suffering, and I responded...sensibly. Reservedly. Mildly." Saunder's words doggedly push us to look inwardly and take stock of our own failures of kindness understanding that just because we did not physically or intentionally add to another person's misery doesn't mean we didn't add to it by simple inaction.

      I could seriously dissect this all day, so I will wrap it up by saying George Saunders presents us with a quiet narrative that is both profound and poignant, but even more so, it is important.
    • 4/5
      A sweet little book on kindness and moving on and up in life.This is quite short, so I won't really give it away, it seems to be a graduation speech for a college in New York. It's worth a read, there's a little life philosophy and a nice overall message.
    • 4/5
      Aw!

      This was lovely.

      Given as a speech, it's all about kindness, and how to be kind. I haven't read any George Saunders before, but he seems like a lovely, humble guy. I don't want to give too much else away because it's a really short speech, so I'll spoil it if I tell you any more, but I really enjoyed this little piece.

      I'd love to check out more of Saunders' writing, so I can get to know him even more. c:
    • 4/5
      He's right. He's so right. Oy, is he so right!
    • 4/5
      This appears to be a Commencement Address. It is short and sweet and to the point. Build your life to maximize being kind. Excellent advice!
    • 4/5
      Aw!

      This was lovely.

      Given as a speech, it's all about kindness, and how to be kind. I haven't read any George Saunders before, but he seems like a lovely, humble guy. I don't want to give too much else away because it's a really short speech, so I'll spoil it if I tell you any more, but I really enjoyed this little piece.

      I'd love to check out more of Saunders' writing, so I can get to know him even more. c:
    • 5/5
      concise excellence
    • 5/5
      I'm not just being kind to the author when I say this is really, really worth listening to.