Hector and the Search for Happiness

By: François Lelord

Narrated by: James Clamp

“Once upon a time, there was a young psychiatrist called Hector who was not very satisfied with himself....”

Hector is very good at treating patients in need of his help. But he can’t do much for those who are simply dissatisfied with life, and that is beginning to depress him. When a patient tells him he looks in need of a vacation, Hector takes a trip around the world to learn what makes people happy—and sad. As he travels from Paris to China to Africa to the United States, he lists his observations about the people he meets. Is there a secret to happiness, and will Hector find it?

Combining the winsome appeal of The Little Prince with the inspiring philosophy of The Alchemist, Hector’s journey ventures around the globe and into the human soul. Lelord’s writing inspires us to consider life’s great questions. Uplifting, empowering, and optimistic, this is a fable for our times and all time.

©2002 Hector and the Search for Happiness © 2002 Éditions Odile Jacob. English translation © 2010 Gallic Books. All rights reserved. Recorded by arrangement with Viking, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. (P)2010 (p) 2010 HighBridge Company

Critic reviews

"Intelligently naïve.” ( Marie Claire)

watch the movie for free on Netflix

the movie was better, and the movie was not great. If you like third person baby book style, (which I do) then read the whole thing at a Barnes and noble and then buy another book.

Masterly & Stirring

I would read this book again and again. It is beautifully told with clarity, simplicity and great wisdom.

Wonderful, uplifting, full of wisdom ;-)

Wonderful, uplifting, full of wisdom ;-)
Wonderful, uplifting, full of wisdom ;-)
Wonderful, uplifting, full of wisdom ;-)

Liked it a lot... Really ;-)

Simple read

The narrator was clear and wonderful and the story was short and sweet! I would def recommend this book to others!

Enjoyed this audio book

Liked the repetitive themes and the stories to support the themes. These are great grounding principles to reflect on. Thank you

slow but great

the book is best listening to, it's a little slow, but oh! my! what great things we should all try to achieve for Happiness.
recommend listening alone and numerous times. then practice the lessons in your own life.

happiness

If you're looking for a adventure this book is for you. Great story and use of the imagination also a great movie thats how I learned about Hector. Can't wait to read the whole series.

great story

loved the story and all of the great lessons. really helped me open my eyes to what is happiness

excellent book and great form

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Its good to read, or listen to a good story. Life is so complicated and a good simple story can be a real reliefe. Lets smile.

Have you listened to any of James Clamp’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

James reads clearly and his voice is easy on the ears.

If you could take any character from Hector and the Search for Happiness out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Having diner with Hector would be really memorable. The adventures, his lessons and his narrative are really admirable.

It's okay

I decided to listen to this as I had watched the movie on Netflix and LOVED it. So I figured I would really enjoy the book. This was one of those very rare cases when I actually enjoyed the movie more than the book.

To start off he starts his trip by sleeping with someone, while having a girlfriend. I realize some people may not consider this to be a big deal, and they were boyfriend and girlfriend, not married. But I wasn't a fan of that. He goes on to sleep with on other girl later in the book. And he constantly keeps bringing up the first girl he sleeps with, even though they had spent very little time together. In the movie he didn't sleep with anyone, and I preferred the ending in the movie then that of the book.

There were just some odd lines as well. My husband said it was originally written in French so many the English translations are odd at times? I'm not sure.

It's not the worse book I have ever read. There were a lot of things I liked about it, and quotes that I wrote down that I really liked. But this is one of those rare cases when I think you are just better off seeing the movie.