Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It took me a good chunk of time to get through this one. Part of me wondered if I should DNF, but I didn’t want to provide feedback for something like this without seeing where the author’s rumination’s ended.

In A Philosophy of Shame, Gros takes a borderline clinical approach to dissecting shame in its various context’s. Eerily reminiscent of the works of Michel De Montaigne, Gros takes the concept of Shame and studies it, using a number of references, both old and new. In short, Gros seems to view shame as a societal tool. Whether it prevents people straying from norms or protects them from acting foolish and vulgar, shame, Gros writes, is the “expression of a desperate, naked desire to be liked.”

Not surprisingly, there are aspects of this book that I enjoyed and others I did not. In general, I enjoy essays. However, I wonder if they always need to be written in a way that excludes regular, every day people. In taking an authoritative tone and utilizing an academic discourse, authors can inadvertently blind readers to the persuasive efficacy of the work itself. In other words, it can be difficult to disagree with someone who “sounds smart”. Perhaps I am alone in this opinion, but I believe this will have one of two consequences; either the audience will repeat an argument they cannot fully stand behind intellectually, or publishers will limit their audience to academic environments.

That being said, I found myself agreeing with very few arguments, while being mostly skeptical and completely critical of others. I kind of wished this ARC had been a physical copy so that I could have properly studied Gros’ arguments. But, who knows, maybe this format is a modern marketing strategy for a text of this nature.

Last thing I will say is in reference to the examples and allusions Gros uses. Largely, I wondered why so many references felt outdated. (Freud, for example, has been recently discredited in a lot of ways.) Perhaps the subject itself lacked a kind of literary modernity, which sort of begs a question of relevancy for the whole project, to be honest. One of the most modern examples used occurred in the context of digital shame and cyber bullying. Specifically, Gros recounts Justine Sacco’s story (an interesting example to use, tbh 😒), in which Justine is ostracized for making a racist post on her social media account.

I know this was a lot to say and a lot to consider, especially for such a high rating. Though I remain particularly critical (and perhaps biased for essay-work), I think this type of work is both incredibly difficult and incredibly important. Overall, the problem I have with this book is that I wish arguments had been a little more thought out, or perhaps more heavily discussed. There were a number of times where I felt that Gros had taken a few leaps in his conclusions and I wished he had taken some additional time to consider his reader during this logistical flight of his 🛫.

This book seemed interesting based on the description but it took a long time to actually get to what the summary promised.

I liked quite a lot the history and also the effort of the author to popularise philosophy. I'm already interested in two other titles from the author, Disobey and A Philosophy of Walking.
Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the ARC.

Well, I'm over thirty. My hectic twenties are behind me and a new life of sobriety and celibacy (for the time being) are ahead of me. I have been reflecting back on my life -- decisions made and not made-- and have been feeling a fair amount of shame/guilt (Gros does a great job of differentiating the two). I was raised Catholic, then Salvation Army evangelical Christian, so I'm very familiar with shame/sin lol. I used to ignore it, or I would feel it to the point of debilitation. By reading this book, I hoped to step back and defamiliarize shame, view it from an anthropological point of view, and transcend shame/learn how to analyze it and equip it for something more fruitful.

Gros covers topics of shame as it relates to family, honor, rape, incest, poverty, racism, and revolution. He writes about shame as a shared human experience, and the ways in which shame can either hinder us or be utilized for self evolution and betterment of society: "Shame is a painful fluctuation between sadness and anger that can have two outcomes: It can lead us down a cold and dark path that disfigures us and ends in solitary resignation, or a fiery and luminous path that transfigures us and fuels collective anger."

Although I enjoyed this book enough to finish it, I was left feeling like it was incomplete-ish. I wanted a book that would provide me with revelations or give profound insights, but oftentimes I felt that only the obvious was stated. For a short book, I found some redundancies -- I felt like I had read similar insights and even sentences a few pages back. I also felt that the book was completely missing a conclusion. I think I would have been left with a better impression of the book overall if Gros had a closing chapter that synthesized the book.

Thank you so much for the ARC!

This book was just fine. I like the ties to history and other works and it wasn't overly pretentious.

One of the book’s most compelling sections is its historical lens, where Gros traces how shame has evolved from ancient notions of honor and disgrace to its modern forms, shaped by the gaze of others, surveillance, and, now, the omnipresence of social media. He argues that in today’s hyperconnected world, shame has become a public spectacle, often weaponized to enforce conformity or ostracize dissent. This sociological perspective is both timely and unnerving, likely resonating with readers living in a culture of constant exposure.

At its core, the book is not just a critique of societal trends. Gros delves into the existential dimensions of shame, portraying it as a uniquely human experience that reveals our vulnerability and interconnectedness. He discusses how shame can lead to a deeper self-awareness, painful but potentially transformative. Gros is careful not to romanticize this, acknowledging the destructive potential of shame as well. He also explores how moments of shame can prompt empathy, growth, and the pursuit of authenticity.

Gros’ prose is accessible, balancing philosophical rigor with an ability to draw the reader into his arguments. His use of literature, art, and personal anecdotes adds richness and texture, ensuring that the book appeals not only to academic audiences but to anyone seeking to better understand the role of shame in their own lives.

One of the book’s few shortcomings is its tendency to generalize societal phenomena, particularly in its discussions of shame’s manifestations in different cultural contexts.

Despite this minor critique, the book is a significant contribution to the study of human emotions and the ways they intersect with philosophy and culture. It challenges readers to confront their own experiences of shame and consider its broader implications in a world that often seeks to avoid discomfort.A recommended read for those interested in philosophy, psychology, and the human condition.