The Gifts of Imperfection

by Brené Brown
The Gifts of Imperfection cover
Good Books rating 2.75
Self-Help and Personal Development
Buy online
Waterstones
Hardback • £14.99–£16.99
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 940
  • Added: 2025-09-23
  • Updated: 2025-12-16
  • ISBN: 9781592859894
  • Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  • Published: 2022-03-01
  • Formats: 9
  • Reviews: 4

The Gifts of Imperfection is a groundbreaking work by Brené Brown that has resonated with millions of readers worldwide. This tenth-anniversary edition includes a new foreword and additional tools to help you make the work your own. Brené Brown, a renowned social scientist and storyteller, invites you to join a revolution of authenticity and worthiness. The book introduces ten guideposts to wholehearted living, which help you understand and change the sabotaging expectations that hold you back. Through her signature blend of research, storytelling, and humor, Brené Brown offers practical advice and inspiration to help you cultivate courage, compassion, and connection. This book is more than just words on a page; it's a call to action to embrace your imperfections and live a life of true authenticity. Whether you're looking to improve your relationships, find more joy in your daily life, or simply be kinder to yourself, The Gifts of Imperfection offers a roadmap to a more fulfilling and wholehearted existence.

Reviews
Hush Your Mind · 2025-12-16
mixed 3.00

The book is recommended for its insights on embracing imperfections, despite some vague terms and lack of substance. The writing style is considered bland.

The reviewer acknowledges the book's valuable insights on embracing imperfections but finds some of the terms vague and lacking in substance. They appreciate the book's message but feel that the writing style could be more engaging. The reviewer notes that while the book has its strengths, it may not be as impactful as some of Brown's other works. Overall, they recommend the book for its practical advice on living a more authentic life, despite its shortcomings.

Quick quotes

    I recommend The Gifts of Imperfection if…

    I must admit that I was a bit disappointed by Brown's many vague terms, lack of substance and bland writing.

    The book has its strengths but may not be as impactful as some of Brown's other works.

Reddit - TrueAtheism · 2025-10-18
disappointing 2.00

The reviewer finds the book disappointing due to its heavy reliance on religious concepts, which they find alienating.

This reviewer expresses disappointment with the book, primarily due to its reliance on religious concepts. They find these elements alienating and feel that the book's messages could have been more universally appealing without them. The reviewer's critique focuses on the book's lack of inclusivity and the impact of its religious undertones on their overall reading experience.

Quick quotes

    The author is leaning heavily on religious concepts and it's so disappointing and alienating.

    She legit wrote that people in her research could only find...

    I found the book's reliance on religious concepts to be off-putting.

Shelf Reflection · 2025-08-30
disappointing 2.00

The book is found to be empty and self-centered, turning the self into a god. It is seen as lacking depth and substance.

This reviewer found the book to be somewhat empty, criticizing its focus on the self as a god-like entity. They feel that the book lacks depth and substance, making it less impactful. The reviewer's perspective is that the book's message is not as profound as it claims to be, leaving them feeling unsatisfied.

Quick quotes

    I found The Gifts of Imperfection to be empty because Brown has sourced everything from the self, turning the self into a god— a god that will ...

    The book's message is not as profound as it claims to be.

    I was left feeling unsatisfied and uninspired by the book's content.

The Juniper Co · 2022-08-10
inspiring 4.00

The book teaches us how to live a wholehearted life by embracing our imperfections and vulnerabilities. It offers practical advice and insights that can be applied to daily life.

The reviewer found the book to be a valuable guide to living a more authentic and wholehearted life. They appreciated the practical advice and insights offered, particularly the integration stage where they realized they were already cultivating some of the recommended practices. The reviewer believes that the book's emphasis on embracing imperfections and vulnerabilities is a powerful message that can resonate with many readers. They found the book to be both inspiring and actionable, making it a worthwhile read for anyone seeking personal growth.

Quick quotes

    The Gifts of Imperfection teaches us how to live a wholehearted life.

    And to do that, we need to embrace our imperfections, flaws and vulnerabilities.

    The integration stage of the book was useful in that I learned that I am already “cultivating” in some areas, such as knowing my personal values.

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