“Pain is bad, right? In this fascinating book, Brock Bastian will convince you otherwise. Drawing on both vivid everyday examples and surprising laboratory findings, he shows how pain, suffering, and struggle give us pleasure, make us kinder, focus our thoughts, and give our life meaning. Bastian is a brilliant researcher and deep thinker and ‘The Other Side of Happiness’ is a delight to read.”

“This book makes an excellent case for embracing pain, treating pleasure with skepticism, and recognizing that what feels good isn’t always good for us. Brock Bastian expertly picks apart the fundamental idea that humans thrive when they approach pleasure and avoid pain, explaining why hardship sometimes yields richer lives that are laden with meaning, deep social connections, and unexpected bliss. ‘The Other Side of Happiness’ is a beautifully written and important book that should be required reading for anyone who’s ever wondered why well-being so often flourishes in unexpected places.”

“This is a marvellous, thought-provoking challenge to how we think about and go about the pursuit of happiness. Bastian takes on and demolishes the widespread view that life should be all pleasure and no pain. Using a compelling mixture of fascinating stories and surprising results of research studies, the book gently but convincingly upends conventional wisdom and shows the way toward a new, richer, and ultimately more satisfying approach to life. If you’re tired of all the simple minded books telling you to just cheer up and be happy, this is the book for you!”

“Reading this book may cause you pain. According to the author, that’s a good thing. Brock Bastian skillfully shatters the zeitgeist of positive thinking, showing how struggle and suffering are vital elements of a life well lived.”