Being: Why It’s Harder to Be Human Than a Hamster or a Herring (Rachel E Menzies & Ross G Menzies, A&U)

In Being: Why It’s Harder to Be Human Than a Hamster or a Herring, daughter–father writing team Rachel E Menzies and Ross G Menzies (Mortals: How the Fear of Death Shaped Human Society) explore the existential difficulty of being human. The book invites readers to consider how we find meaning in an uncertain world: how we respond to life’s challenges and make choices in the face of the unknown.

Drawing on their combined expertise as psychologists, Menzies and Menzies blend research and clinical experience into a clear, well-structured exploration of various aspects of psychology, including the inner voice, the search for self, the quest for meaning and the pain of loss. The exploration of metacognition provides a range of strategies for developing resilient thought processes. Anonymised client accounts are woven throughout, lending immediacy and depth while grounding the psychological concepts in lived experience.

The writing style is accessible and well supported by citations that provide useful avenues for further reading. Being will appeal to adults and older teenagers interested in psychology and philosophy, though readers should be aware that it engages with mental health topics, including grief, suicide, violence and death. While it works well as an introductory text, it still offers fresh perspectives for people already familiar with the field. The authors end with an exhortation for readers to be true to themselves, find joy and make the most of the opportunity that is life.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Ellie Pope is a librarian and avid reader who is passionate about literature. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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