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How to Hold a Cockroach

A book for those who are free and don't know it

Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available

How to Hold a Cockroach is about discovering and freeing ourselves from the beliefs that cause us to suffer. With a message both surprising and simple, it is a love letter to humankind, a book for those who are free and don't know it.

An Inspirational Tale

A struggling boy begins a life-changing journey when a disgusting guest disturbs his dinner. As he continues to encounter sources of suffering, the boy must investigate fundamental truths he has believed about himself, love, and life. He confronts some of life's most persistent questions: What am I? What causes me to suffer? How can I be at peace with the traumas of the past and the uncertainty of the future? What determines how I experience life?

Described as "a children's book for adults," How to Hold a Cockroach was written for adults but is suitable for thoughtful teenagers and children. 

An Immersive Experience

This audio version enlivens the story with original music and sound design by producer and songwriter Mason Maxwell and the captivating voice of award-winning narrator Simon Vance. 

For Listeners Who Are...

✓ Looking for contemplative and inspirational books about philosophy, spirituality, or psychology.

✓ Facing challenging circumstances, heartbreak, low self-esteem, or resentment. 

✓ Finding it difficult to accept the past or fearing what the future will bring.

✓ Fans of the works of Paulo Coelho, Kobi Yamada, or Charlie Mackesy; books like The Alchemist, The Tao of Pooh, The Little Prince, and The Untethered Soul; or spiritual teachers like Tara Brach, Thich Nhat Hanh, Eckhart Tolle, and Cheri Huber. 

Regardless of your birthplace, background, or spiritual beliefs, this book invites you to explore how you see yourself and the world, re-examine your perspectives, and experience more joy, peace, and love. 

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  • Reviews

    • Publisher's Weekly

      April 19, 2021
      Leadership coach Maxwell debuts with a wide-eyed allegory about a boy who considers how what he feels and believes about cockroaches may reflect what others have taught him to feel, rather than his own perspective. After seeing a cockroach at dinner, the nameless boy later sees himself as a cockroach in a mirror—an image that sparks his philosophical rumination. Through stories of him becoming overwhelmed with the effort of his chores, errands, and assignments, or stressed by others who cross his path, Maxwell teases out a message that “whatever truth there may be, you can choose how to hold it... maybe cockroaches aren’t that different from me.” Despite a cyclical structure that has each chapter follow a repetitive pattern—the boy comes to a question or problem, feels insecure, and eventually realizes he is fine the way he is—Maxwell effectively uses these vignettes to reflect on self-criticism, love, overcoming one’s past, and embracing unknowns. Always the boy returns to how his understanding of himself is much like his understanding of the cockroach—influenced primarily by others. Focusing on philosophical concepts from a childlike perspective, this sunny rumination on self-worth will primarily appeal to new adult readers.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

Languages

  • English

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