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  • The Myth of Normal

  • Trauma, Illness & Healing in a Toxic Culture
  • Written by: Gabor Maté, Daniel Maté
  • Narrated by: Daniel Maté
  • Length: 18 hrs and 12 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (13 ratings)

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The Myth of Normal

Written by: Gabor Maté,Daniel Maté
Narrated by: Daniel Maté
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Publisher's Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

We tend to believe that normality equals health. Yet what is the norm in the Western world?

Mental illness is on an unstoppable rise. Some 45 percent of Europeans suffer high blood pressure, and nearly 70 percent of Americans take at least one prescription drug. Illness and trauma are defining how we live.

In his new masterpiece, renowned physician, addiction expert and author Gabor Maté dissects the underlying causes of this malaise—physical and emotional, and connects the dots between our personal suffering and the pressures of modern-day living. Over four decades of clinical experience, Dr Maté has found that the common definition of 'normal' is false: virtually all disease is actually a natural reflection of life in an abnormal culture, as we grow further and further apart from our true selves. But he also shows us the pathway to reconnection and healing.

Filled with stories of people in the grip of illness or in the triumphant wake of recovery, this life-affirming audiobook shows how true health is possible—if we are willing to embrace authenticity above social expectations. The Myth of Normal is Gabor Maté's most ambitious, compassionate and urgent book yet.

©2022 Gabor Maté and Daniel Maté (P)2022 Penguin Audio

What listeners say about The Myth of Normal

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An astonishing read

I got to know about this book on Mayim Bialik's podcast. After listening to the podcast I knew I had to read this book. Thank you, Dr. Gabor Maté, for writing this book and giving me wonderful insight into trauma.

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astounding book with soany intuitive truths.

excellent book done with so much research. the author has painstakingly put together all the material after decades of research. great insights and a wake up call

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  • elisna
  • 17-12-22

Read it, don't listen to it on Audible.

It was very difficult to listen to this kid. Such profound and life altering ideas, delivered by someone without the necessary gravitas.
I found his voice and delivery to be very distracting and irritating.
Would have been incredible to hear Gabor read it himself. There is so much in his voice. A missed opportunity in my view.

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  • Kristin
  • 24-11-23

I wish this excisted before i had kids.

This is so valuble. What a job it must have been to collect all this data. I truly wished it was written over a decade ago. I have always believed the same as some of what is written here at to get it confirmed through a channel like Gabor is profound. I also think Daniel does an amazing job! He has a great voice to listen to just like his dad. What a treasure for the future and I talk about it to all who want to listen. Looking forward to listening to it again and again. It is not a one time read. Stay kind out there.

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  • Maya H Saric
  • 03-11-23

Whinge fest with no solutions

This is a super detailed list of just how bad life is in certain parts of the world with no solutions.

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  • khanya Okumu
  • 20-10-23

Eye opening

This book truly opened my eyes to the impact and source of trauma in life and ways to work through it. A must read!

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  • Nicki Rogers
  • 22-08-23

A Magnum Opus - read terribly!

This is an astounding book by someone who I think will be marked in history as the greatest empath and psychological leader of our time. However Daniel really really needs to drop all the accents. It’s insulting at times, but mainly embarrassing! It’s like listening to Mike myers outtakes! As for the book this is a truly stunning piece of work that deserves every accolade going and every heart paying attention.

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  • TJB
  • 27-07-23

A fantastic book for making sense of the world and ourselves

As our world becomes evermore toxic this book delivers in uncovering ways to understand yourself and your own life. It details how relationships, culture and your own beliefs impact on all aspects of health and well being from foetus to death.
I gave 5 stars as it’s a must read, however, I’d have preferred to have Gabor Mate narrate on audible as his voice has more meaning and resonance than his son Daniel’s, which can sometimes lead me to have to re-listen to some parts as I’d got distracted.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 25-07-23

Sing it Gabor!!!

Simply outstanding!

There are very few words, other than what I’ve said above. Spectacular, riveting and brilliant mind ! Thank you Gabor!

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  • Anonymous User
  • 26-05-23

A must Read/Listen book

I wish every person on the planet Earth from every walk of life would either listen to or read this book to know and heal the effects of Traumas which almost everyone faces in the world. One of the best books I have read on the subject. Highly recommended.

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  • P. North
  • 16-05-23

Opened my mind and heart

Incredible book, totally opened my heart & mind to the mind body connection
Just finished it and am starting to read it again
Thank you for this incredible work

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  • Michael
  • 02-05-23

Beautiful

A beautiful book for my own journey and the outcomes are life changing. I hope to positively impact the world from this and improve on how I show up in the world

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  • J
  • 22-09-22

Gabor is a visionary but the narration is awful

The narrator’s style is doing a major disservice to the content. The narrator sounds like a soulless, banal corporate speaker talking about finance with no comprehension of the spiritual nature of Gabor’s content. I am going to have to buy the book to properly experience the content because this is almost insufferable. Please re-narrate this book Gabor.

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18 people found this helpful

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  • Katherine Schofield
  • 13-09-22

Such an important topic for anyone working with people

I do admire Dr Mate but I’m so disappointed with the choice of reader. It’s a text that warrants a slow, deeper tone as it explores profound exploration of trauma. Audible - could do better!

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15 people found this helpful

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  • Kindle Customer
  • 21-11-22

Excellent

The only slightly jarring thing was when Daniel tried to do the accents of the different people quoted. There's a lot of good stuff in the book so I'll definitely listen again fairly soon.

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  • Daniella B. Rodrigues
  • 24-10-22

Insightful

Fascinating book with very insightful thoughts on education. However the narration grows increasingly annoying with the unnecessary use of accents when quoting other people.

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  • Przemyslaw Zolynski
  • 01-10-22

big disappointment after "In the realm of hungry"

i loved his "in the realm of hungry ghosts"
unfortunately here he's losing my trust.
claiming we have to behave in a certain way, because apes do so reeks of naturalistic fallacy.
the argument that the current rise in autoimmune disease is due to bad parenting is self defeating for anyone with two braincells to rub together, as noone sane will claim that parenting in the past let's say 50 years got worse than in the times past.
i don't intend to finish this book - wasted credit

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  • Sara Jessica Wiseman
  • 18-09-22

More life changing insights from Dr Maté

Rich, challenging text and great narration. A must listen for anyone looking for an unflinching analysis of humanity.

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  • Shirin Azad
  • 17-04-23

One of the most important books of this century

An absolute must read - one of the most important books of our time touching every aspect of life

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  • Marcin Pomianowicz-Bartkowiak
  • 07-10-22

Fantastic

For me - fantastic, eloquent summary from neurobiology, psychology and sociology point view - why we have such crazy world. Plus - how to approach to find yourself.

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  • Kamil
  • 07-10-22

Eye opening

I’m really grateful for dr Gabor Mate to put this book together.
It give me and opportunity to look closely at my “ normal childhood “ or to say childhood trauma.
Very informative and inspiring book as well ( which I’m really pleased about) practical, with sets of exercises helping me greatly to pinpoint my own issues.

Thank you very much!
X
Kamil

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  • John Peters
  • 01-12-23

Debunking the myth of normal way beyond health

I really enjoyed how Gabor and Daniel have stitched together the multi faceted layers of cultural and conditioned societal toxicity. A brilliant book.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 13-09-22

I love this book. thankyou gabor and Daniel mate

it's such a Privilege to listen to this. I feel that The information in this book is making me Have a deep Soul search of myself. and I love gabor mate and Daniel mate. God bless them

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  • Anonymous User
  • 03-10-22

A MUST for those who want to understand trauma, parents and doctors, but the narration…

A well written and comprehensively researched book. Gabor is clearly passionate about the mind-body connection, and there is a lot of merit to his assertion that childhood trauma causes later downstream medical conditions. The sections on parenting and how doctors have used their ego and ignorance to only treat symptoms and ultimately do harm to patients is truly eye opening.
The narration overall was good, but his choice to do accents… They were quite jarring and bordering on racist at times, which put me off. It’s never good when you’re found yelling at the audio book “why are you doing the accent?!” I’m not sure if the narrator was bored or just wanted to practice accents for future voice work, I did not care for it. Be warned!
Gabor also goes a bit off the rails in Part IV The toxicities of our culture, where he gets on a soapbox, especially in Chapter 24 talking about politics. Despite aligning with my politics, it was stating the obvious and was unnecessary.
Definitely give it a read/listen till the end!

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  • Lisa H
  • 04-11-22

Profound. Kind. Enormous scope.

This book is profound in its scope. Touching issues of social theory, social determinants of health, cultural and political issues. There is a compassionate lens and practical advice. It’s the kind of book that is a lifetime of wisdom, supported with evidence based research. The sheer audacity to try to synthesise all this into one book…. Just really profound. I am going to buy the physical book also, and for others too. I wish I had read this when I was younger. This is a book that makes me feel both despair and hope. Thank you.

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  • srouch
  • 24-09-22

Brilliant

The book we need ‘now’. A wide ranging discussion of modern western ways of life and the ways in which we are so acculturated to abnormal ways of being, that we consider very harmful practices to be ‘normal’. Gabor asks us to look deeply at our assumptions and beliefs and challenges us to take the prevalence of mental ill health and anxiety as evidence of a toxic culture rather than sick individuals. Can’t recommend highly enough!

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 09-05-23

narrortors voices are terrible

Some good points. Other points seem to be cherry picked with smaller example. Should have gotten a proper narrator as Daniel's voices for characters was very bad.

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  • Nat C.
  • 07-11-22

Amazing and insightful

A must read. Clearly outlines the issues in current culture and the need for change.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 07-11-22

Loved this book!!

I have followed the work of Gabor for a few years now. I am very grateful that he chooses to share his insights and wisdom. It is really life changing. What a journey it is to open your ears to the wisdom of Gabor Maté in this amazing book. Wonderfully read by his son. I enjoyed every minute. I have the book on my bookshelf and I will definitely recommend and revisit this masterpiece.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 23-10-22

received with gratitude, locked on repeat

too much info for just one pass. fourth turn now and counting. thank you Gabor!

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  • Anonymous User
  • 29-08-23

No Need for the Politics

Gabor’s work is generally insightful and important, however in this book, I felt the forays into political generalizations were unnecessary and detracted from the book overall. Often points were made that seemed petty and lacking in scientific rigor. I struggled to get through this one which is unfortunate as I have always found his writing helpful to me.

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    1 out of 5 stars
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  • Anonymous User
  • 30-11-23

yawn.....

boring.. .. so slow and hard to get motivation to continue.
had high hopes

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