BOOK REVIEW: Who Moved My Cheese by Spenser Johnson

Who Moved My Cheese?

by Spencer Johnson, Kenneth H. Blanchard (Goodreads Author)

Hardcover, 94 pages

Published 2002 by G. P. Putnam's Sons (first published September 8th 1998)

Goodreads synopsis:

Who Moved My Cheese? is a simple parable that reveals profound truths. It is an amusing and enlightening story of four characters who live in a "Maze" and look for "Cheese" to nourish them and make them happy.

Two are mice named Sniff and Scurry. And two are "Littlepeople"—beings the size of mice who look and act a lot like people. Their names are Hem and Haw.

"Cheese" is a metaphor for what you want to have in life—whether it is a good job, a loving relationship, money, a possession, health, or spiritual peace of mind.

And the "Maze" is where you look for what you want—the organization you work in, or the family or community you live in.

In the story, the characters are faced with unexpected change. Eventually, one of them deals with it successfully, and writes what he has learned from his experience on the Maze walls.

When you come to see "The Handwriting on the Wall," you can discover for yourself how to deal with change, so that you can enjoy less stress and more success (however you define it) in your work and in your life. 

Written for all ages, the story takes less than an hour to read, but its unique insights can last a lifetime.

***

5 Stars

I enjoy coming back to this book again and again to remind myself to not get stuck where I am and to keep paying attention to the changes around me so I don’t get left behind with not only old cheese but no cheese in my life.

They ask you to ponder who you are among the four characters. I think I am more like Sniff and less like Scurry. More like Haw and less like Hem. I can sense the change but am not as good as taking action on that change.

I am surprised at how drastic the gap is between those who liked this book and those who didn’t. Is it short? Yes. 96 pages in my version. Is it a great concept? Yes. It really makes you think and you don’t walk away from this unmoved. I think the majority of the hate mail is basically that this was a simple tale they could have come up themselves. They didn’t make the attempt at such an offering, someone else did and came away with the glory.

If you are curious about this book, read it. It doesn’t take much time and it is a great way to reframe how you see your life.

I bought this book with my own money.