My first thought when a friend gave me her well-used copy was "Oh, no, not this." But when I picked it up I saw that it was not some self-help book, but rather a witty and really complex string of emotinons and observations, couched in the vehicle of a "travelogue." Really quite ingenious. For those who are turned off by the "self-discover" issues, two things to say: first, don't be, it is much more, and secondly, if you're that turned off, perhaps you should be doing some self-discovery yourself. Would also recommend the books "You can Heal Your Life" by Louise Hay and "Children of the self absorbed." And these ARE self-help books.