The question related to the search for the meaning of human life has been raised in the literature more than once, and it is this question that can be called initially rhetorical. The heroes of many outstanding literary works tried to understand what the meaning of our existence is, each of them did it in different ways and chose completely opposite life paths.

But despite creating ideals over and over again in their lives, they faced almost the same reality. Is it possible to find an unambiguous answer to the question about the meaning of life? And how did his search for literary heroes end, whose images became so close to many readers? ..

Does life have a meaning?

An exemplary example of such a hero can be called Eugene Onegin - the main character of the novel of the same name by A.S. Pushkin. In the first part of the work, the image of Onegin is revealed to us, representing a nobleman, a secular dandy, whose life is full of entertainment, fun and love intrigue. Despite the fact that his life seems eventful, over time he gets bored with it, and, wanting to end the boredom, he goes to the village. Onegin begins to take an interest in the life of the village, tries to alleviate the situation of the peasants and take up farming. But this activity bothers him, and gradually his taste for life cools down, human feelings and emotions disappear from his soul, and he completely cools inside and out.

The main plot of the story can be called the moment when the main character, having already turned into a soulless and cold egoist, mercilessly rejects the feelings of a young and sincere girl Tatiana. And in the future, he does not spare her wounded feelings, Eugene openly cares for Olga, which makes his close friend Lensky suffer. Thus, Onegin loses all his close people, people who needed him, and most importantly, whom he himself unconsciously needed.

This loss means for him the loss of himself, and only such sad changes make him change his outlook on life and its meaning. Onegin is trying to improve, he finds Tatiana to tell her about his feelings - but it's too late, she changed and got married. He made fatal mistakes, which can no longer be corrected, and understanding this allowed him to realize that until the destruction of his life, his own existence had no meaning.

Ideal and reality in literature

Similar tragedies pursued and continued to haunt the heroes after Eugene Onegin. The eternal search for the meaning of life is one of the fundamental themes in Russian and foreign literature. In their literary works, writers illuminate the hardships of such searches for any person, reveal their ideals and show the bitter reality that they, in the end, have to face.

This is the fatal tragedy of heroes in search of the meaning of life - relying on their ideals, they have to deal with sometimes cruel and unjust reality. Sometimes their life becomes unbearable precisely because of the wrongly chosen life guidelines, sometimes - they have to suffer continuous contradictions and struggle with the discord between their ideals and what they really are. In a similar way, they go through a long and thorny path, during which they try to find the meaning of a difficult and sometimes completely unfair human life.

Sustainable leisure: Bibliotherapy has been known since antiquity as therapy by reading certain books. Greek works were aimed at thinking about basic things and experiences: about fate (or, as we can say now, about a vocation), about love and hate, about family life, about self-development through overcoming and trials.

Reading is a process of endless identification with the text or its characters.... This is why it can be therapeutic. PsychologistNadezhda Chelomova talks about how bibliotherapy works and offers a selection of fiction and non-fiction literature that helps you find yourself and unleash your potential.

Bibliotherapy as therapy by reading certain books has been known since antiquity. Greek works were aimed at thinking about basic things and experiences: about fate (or, as we can say now, about a vocation), about love and hate, about family life, about self-development through overcoming and trials.

Bibliotherapy - reading therapy

It is easy to find adequate books on psychology now.(not those that promise to pump you in one hour, but those that help to understand a little more in the nature of phenomena, in the causes and consequences of actions), written not only in strictly scientific language... The availability of such literature can provide the necessary support in a difficult situation.

Over the centuries of its existence, fiction has accumulated a large layer of "cases", life situations and the experience of heroes in passing them. It would be a pity not to use it.

In foreign bibliotherapy, there are three stages of the therapeutic process:

Identification with the text or the hero of the text.

Catharsis (emotional release) in response to the text.

Awareness of the problems presented in the text and how this can be used in the real life of the reader.

Domestic bibliotherapy adds the formation of adequate self-esteem somewhere between catharsis and the formation of the final reading positions, which, of course, does not guarantee one hundred percent achievement of such a result, but sets the movement in the right direction at least.

Bibliotherapy is at the intersection of medicine, psychology and librarianship. She is often considered part of the psychotherapeutic process; for example, there is a study of the effect of cognitive bibliotherapy on subthreshold depression (subthreshold - initial with mild manifestations). This treatment option led to statistically and clinically significant changes in depressive symptoms.

For each "request", problem, significant experience, you can pick up several books where the heroes are faced with a similar situation and cope with it (or they cannot cope, which is also an option for reading therapy, but with how "should not be done").

Why is this development option good for a person?: there are no imposed concrete actions in the book (something that must be done in reality), there is a general meaning of the text and each reader will take something of his own from there.

Unfortunately, there is no one hundred percent guarantee that the book will help solve the problem completely, the development process can take a long time. However, if you pick up a book on the topic of the request, there is a high probability that the reader will have new ideas, thoughts, options for solving his problem and, of course, a feeling of support and that he (s) is not alone in his question.

One of the frequent requests: what to read for self-realization, finding your own path (vocation, purpose in life, interesting work, etc.). Let's try to look at this request from different angles with a selection of suitable fiction and non-fiction literature.

A selection of literature that helps you find yourself

Stoner by John Williams

The story told in this book with an unusual fate ⓘThe novel was first published in 1965 and did not resonate with the public. However, the re-publication of the text in 2006, after the death of the author, made it a real literary sensation and a bestseller. Williams' novel is now referred to as nothing less than "the great." - Approx. ed., is a kind of anti-example of self-realization: when the hero does not live his life the way he wants (although in the basic decision he chose exactly what he wanted), and how it ends. After reading this book, I very clearly understood for myself what the risk of giving up my desires (in the broad sense of the word, and not just momentary needs).

“In the forty-third year of his life, William Stoner learned what many people know much earlier: that the person you love him is not equal to the person you will love him in the end, that love is not a goal, but a process by which a person trying to get to know a person. "

“Great, isn't it? Useless advice. Parting speeches to graduates ", Kurt Vonnegut

Thank you, dear wanderer Kurt, for your tenderness. Thank you for your wisdom and sense of humor. The book came out just wonderful.

One of the most important things that I have come to for myself is the importance of creation. To create something in such a large, complex and not always welcoming world is a big responsibility, a lot of uncertainty, doubts about your abilities, but also a great joy from every small success.

“Write poetry for your friends.
Even very bad ones.
Do it as best you can.
You will be rewarded handsomely.
After all, you managed to create something. "

An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth. What 4000 hours in orbit taught me ", Christopher Hadfield

“The fate of an astronaut was not destined for me. I had to make myself an astronaut. "

“Building business models. Handbook of the strategist and innovator ", Alexander Osterwalder, Yves Pignet

I use this book not only to grow my business, but also to develop myself. After all, who, if not me, is the most important project for yourself?

If you have your own business, if you are constantly thinking what to do to move a little further from competitors and how to do something that no one else has done, then you are here! With the schemes given in the book, you need to work a lot and thoughtfully - one approach is not enough.

After reading my copy, it is covered with questions and ideas (strange, I must say), pasted over with bookmark stickers and is ready for re-study.

Of course, your faith is an important factor here. That you can come up with a fresh idea, that you can do it too, not just giants like Skype and Cirque du Soleil.

There is one spread in the book that is completely empty. And only in the lower right corner is fine:

"Do you have the courage to start from scratch?"

"Hygge. The Secret of Danish Happiness ", Mike Viking

If you are doing “achievement” all the time, then you need to rest a little.

The word "hygge" can be translated as "comfort", and it really is.

Hygge books have proliferated lately, many of them are frankly faked under the real story about the comfortable arrangement of life, but this one is very good. Its author works at the Institute for the Study of Happiness (!) In Copenhagen. Who else, if not him, can tell us how to increase the level of satisfaction with ourselves and with those around us?

“Hygge is not so much about things as about atmosphere and sensations. In the vicinity of those we love. In a sense of peace and serenity, when we are protected from the anxieties of the world and can afford to relax, when we can endlessly discuss all the great and small phenomena of life, or just comfortably be silent together, or even sit quietly alone with a cup of tea. "

“Between must and want. Find your path and follow it ", El Luna

Infographic book, picture book, splash of paints on paper.

A simple, laconic book about how to find yourself and walk the path of your vocation. I read it in electronic form, and closer to the end I sighed and went to order a paper one. There is not much text here, but it seems that what is there is more than enough. In the book, sometimes white pages, sometimes painted with paints, yellow, green, blue-red.

You are unlikely to like the book if you need it to be plump with ideas and words for your money; if you don't like the air between paragraphs and one thought for the whole book. I usually don't like it either. But there really is one thought.

And to her is a whole book of all sorts of pieces, tricks, tips, ideas, advice, quotes (oh, love), flowers. And most importantly, all those fears and overwhelming thoughts resonated with me. About when you need more "I want".

“The most effective way to find your destination is to find ten minutes. While escaping all your commitments to fully immerse yourself in a destiny for many months sounds romantic, the harder and safer path is to make little changes in reality every day. This is a process of inclusion, not destruction. "

“Don't be afraid to act. Woman, Work and the Will to Leadership, Sheryl Sandberg

This book is about the fact that not everything is possible, but a lot.

About the fact that it is possible and it would be high time to do what you want. Dedicate yourself to a career - please, children - please. Yes, at least not to devote to anyone, if there is no desire About a real view of things, when it will not always be just what you want, but also that you can go to it.

For me, her words echo with thoughts of the ability to calmly accept everyone's personal choice, respect personal boundaries, and value the awareness of decisions.

The book teaches you to be sincere, true leaders, emotional, lively, looking for a balance between career and family.

Many examples from personal practice make the book lively and understandable.

To support myself and colleagues who have cried because of injustice at work at least once in their lives.

"A reporter for The Huffington Post once asked Padmashri Warrior, Chief Technology Officer for Cisco," What's the most important lesson you've learned from your past mistakes? " She replied, “At the beginning of my career, I often turned down the opportunities before me because I thought,“ I didn't specialize in this ”or“ This is an area I don't know. ” But now, looking back, I understand: the main thing is your ability to learn quickly and quickly achieve results. Today I often tell people: when taking on some business, do not think how suitable you are for it. There are no perfect people. First you have to seize the chance, and then make it perfect for yourself - but by no means the other way around. "

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson, David Oliver Relin

The story of how an unremarkable person can begin to change the world, and how he will succeed. It's a real story and very cool. When you don't have millions, you are not a media tycoon, you are not even a climber (although initially it all started with mountaineering), but you see injustice, you cannot forget about it and you start to change and change.

“What we are trying to do may seem like a drop in the ocean. But without this drop, the ocean would be much smaller. "

Stone's Dissection by Abraham Verghese

Saturated in terms of the volume and quality of the described life, Vergese's book is ideal for a big weekend, when there is an opportunity to immerse yourself in reading and calmly reflect on the fate of the heroes.

Siamese twins are born in an Indian hospital. At birth, doctors manage to separate them, both survive, grow, look for themselves and their roots; both decide to connect their lives with medicine, but even in one case they go different ways, often dramatic.

A deep journey to find the answer to the important question: "Why did I come to this world?"

“As I got older, I set a goal for myself: to become a doctor. Mainly not to save the world, but to heal yourself. Few doctors, especially young doctors, are able to admit this, but after entering the profession, we all, perhaps, subconsciously believe that serving others will heal our own wounds. "

“What Are You Doing With Your Life?” By Elizabeth Gilbert

An interesting perspective on the perception of her work: in a short essay that Elizabeth Gilbert posted on her Facebook page, she talks about the difference between work itself, passion, vocation and life's work and encourages you not to worry (this is her position is traditional) if your work you don't really like it. There is no need to work by calling or it is not necessary to receive money for your hobbies. This thought runs counter to the current debate on the importance of finding a truly amazing job that will lead you to the stars and generate huge income at the same time.

“It is important to carefully, caringly and soberly approach the understanding of what you REALLY are talking about when answering the question“ What am I doing with my life? ” This question is not easy to answer, but you can start by treating these four words with understanding and respect. When in doubt, at least try ANYTHING. As the wonderful poet David White puts it, "Wrong but decidedly definite direction is better than none."

“What to dream about. How to understand what you really want and how to achieve it ", Barbara Sher

According to my impressions, all of Cher's books are similar to each other, but I definitely recommend reading one of them.

She writes about how to find your own path, how to look for something that you will like to do in life (they often write to me with this very question), how to find and lose a big dream (and how to continue living with it). Useful and necessary in the piggy bank of self-support, when you want to bury your nose in the sofa and do nothing else, since nothing happens.

“Life is not an all-or-nothing battle between despair and bliss. This is not a battle at all. And when it comes to happiness, well, sometimes life is just normal, sometimes comfortable, or wonderful, or boring, or unpleasant. If the day was not perfect, it is not a failure or a terrible loss. It's just another day. "

The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron

Book-practical course for 12 weeks. To discern the talents in yourself (it is not necessary to write or draw, less creative activities are also suitable), believe in yourself, and take action.

The first edition came out in 1992, the Russian translation appeared in 2006 (better late than never), and since then the popularity of the book has remained high.

Cameron suggests filling out the morning pages regularly (keeping a diary) and going on creative dates (alone), promises to release creative energy, return to creativity as a game, and increase the overall emotional background (more joy!). I have heard more than one story how, after passing through the book, readers began to implement long-desired projects.

“If it seems to you that becoming an artist is too good to be believed, you yourself set a price for your dream that will be too high for you. And you will remain at a dead end. "

Neapolitan Quartet, Elena Ferrante

Four books about the story of two girlfriends, sworn, loving each other, forever tied to some incredible friendship, envy or something else difficult to describe.

The plot is very simple - we follow the lives of several families in a poor quarter of Naples in post-war Italy.

First, it is interesting that the plot of human life is probably the most interesting for the viewer.

Secondly, behind a simple facade of such romance the author's clearly complex and delicate work is hidden, because in order for so many people to read these books avidly and feel about the same, it is necessary not only to write a masterpiece, but to make it intelligible and simple, albeit stylistically perfected.

Two friends, Leela and Lena, grow from the first book to the fourth, from little girls with childhood fears they turn into young girls, then into wives and mothers, and their whole life is so bizarre that it is simply impossible for the reader to tear himself away from the book.

The heroines are looking for themselves, and we are watching: how will they cope with troubles and joys? Judging by the plot, it is very different.

“But the main thing was that I wanted to become someone out of fear alone that Leela would become God knows what, and I would remain nothing. My development followed in her footsteps. Now I again needed to become someone, but on my own, in an adult way and regardless of her. "

“The best time to start. Dream, create and realize yourself in adulthood ”, Julia Cameron, Emma Lively

Continuation of "The Artist's Way" for those who are retiring. Cameron talks about her experience (she was born in 1948, the book is recent, so no deception) working in adulthood, about finding support in creativity, about the feeling of loneliness and how to fill it with important events. The title of the book perfectly reflects the content - on the one hand, there is no need to complete the work if you do not want to, and on the other hand, retirement is wonderful precisely because you can start doing what there was not enough time for earlier.

By the way, even for Russian realities, the book is suitable: perhaps not all retirees will have the opportunity to travel the world, but to write, draw and walk, for example, quite. And this is a lot.

Fedor Konyukhov "My travels"

If someone else does not know this person, I would be surprised, but all the more I would advise you to read a book about how he traveled, how many troubles he experienced, how often he was on the verge of death, promised himself millions of times to return to normal life, but ... dreams are stronger ! And so the travels continue.

“Someone will say that this is pure gamble. Yes! What's wrong with that? A gamble is a daring undertaking. We have never liked daring deeds. And I stepped over the prohibitions, and let me be judged as they want. I did what no one in Russia has ever been able to do. "

1. Somerset Maugham - "Theater"

The most famous novel by Somerset Maugham.
A subtle, pungently ironic story of a brilliant, intelligent actress celebrating a "midlife crisis" with an affair with a handsome young "predator"?
Vanity Fair of the Roaring Twenties?
Or - a timeless fascinating book in which each reader finds something for himself personally?
"The whole world is a theater, and the people in it are actors!"
So it was - and it will always be so!

2. Jack London - "Martin Eden"

Jack London's most unusual novel.
A novel that blew up the consciousness of several generations of young people from different countries, obsessed with his almost Nietzschean idea of ​​a "strong man" who overcomes any obstacles.
Now, of course, Nietzschean motives are no longer relevant, but his main idea is still noble ...
A real man is not afraid of difficulties, does not commit betrayal, does not retreat before the enemy and is always ready to protect his beloved woman.
Does it sound corny? But not for the timeless heroes of Jack London.

3. Irving Stone - Lust for Life

Vincent Van Gogh is one of the greatest Impressionist masters. A man of tragic fate, who during his lifetime experienced both the contempt of the "official" critics of painting, and a complete misunderstanding of his fellow artists, and after his death was recognized as a great artist.
His genius became a curse, for his innovative style of writing seemed unacceptable even to the inhabitants of Montmartre accustomed to creative experiments. He was disliked and either indifferently rejected or cynically used by women. Friends laughed at him. His relatives felt sorry for him ...
Van Gogh's life was supposed to end tragically, it was obvious to everyone who knew him.
The only question is when and under what circumstances this denouement will come ...
Much has been written about the "mad genius" of French painting, but none of his biographers were given the opportunity to create anything equal to the legendary biographical novel by Irving Stone "Lust for Life".

4. Georges Sand - "Consuelo"

"Consuelo" is one of the best novels by Georges Sand, the legendary French writer. Her lifestyle: the desire for independence, the assertion of a woman's right to choose a lover, free manners, a man's name as a pseudonym and a man's costume - makes her the forerunner of feminism of the 20th century. The work of the writer, which aroused the stormy admiration of her contemporaries, became one of the most significant phenomena of European literature of the 19th century.
The narrative is based on the motives of the tragic collision of the artist and society, the difficult choice between career, success and a quiet family backwater. The prototype of the heroine of the novel was the famous French singer Pauline Viardot, the former muse of I.S. Turgenev.

5. Mikhail Bulgakov - "Theatrical novel"

One of the most mysterious works of Mikhail Bulgakov, "Theatrical Novel" (author's name - "Notes of the Dead Man"), in which many artists of the Moscow Art Theater served as prototypes of the heroes, is perceived in a completely new way in combination with the drawings of the friend of the writer, the legendary actor of the troupe of the Moscow Art Theater Boris Livanov.
An article by G. Panfilova-Shneiter, dedicated to the history of the relationship between Mikhail Bulgakov and the Moscow Art Theater, will help readers better understand the intricacies of the plot of the Theatrical Novel and trace how real events are intertwined with the author's fiction.

6. Oscar Wilde - "The Portrait of Dorian Gray"

"The Portrait of Dorian Gray" - the most famous work of Wilde - immediately after its publication (1890) gained scandalous fame and caused conflicting assessments of contemporaries. It is a literary manifesto of European aestheticism and a masterpiece of fiction. Wilde rejected prim Victorian morality, but wrote a deeply moral book, where Art avenges trampled Beauty, betrayed Love and desecrated Harmony.
The novel is published in the classical translation by M.E. Abkina. The collection includes a detailed introductory article by A. A. Astvatsaturov "Oscar Wilde: Art as Religion". The text is provided with notes by V.V. Zhirmunskaya. Illustrations by artist M. Durnov.

7. Ayn Rand - "The Source"

For several decades, this novel has remained on the world's bestseller list and has become a classic for millions of readers.
The main character of the novel, Howard Roarke, is fighting with society for his personal right to creativity. The fanatical inertness of those around him forces him to take extraordinary actions. And Roarke's relationship with a woman in love with him, who later becomes the wife of his worst enemy, is quite unusual.
Through the vicissitudes of the fate of the heroes and a fascinating plot, the author carries out the main idea of ​​the book - the ego is the source of human progress.

An unusual idea for Russia; the more interesting it will be for a wide range of readers to get acquainted with the heroes who affirm it with their lives.

8. Thomas Mann - "Doctor Faustus"

"Doctor Faustus". The most significant - and most ambitious work of Thomas Mann. The classic story of a genius who sold his soul to the devil, inscribed in the history of Germany at a turning point - the first quarter of the last century.

9. Joanne Harris - "Chocolate"

The sleepy tranquility of a small French town is disturbed by the arrival of a young woman Vianne and her daughter. They appeared along with a noisy and bright carnival procession, and when the carnival ended, its bright joy remained in the eyes of Vianne, who opened her chocolate shop here. Somehow, miraculously, she learns about the innermost desires of the inhabitants of the town and offers everyone exactly such a chocolate delicacy that makes him feel the taste for life again.
"Chocolate" is a novel about kindness and tolerance, about the opposition of innocent temptations and inveterate righteousness. The Hollywood film of the same name directed by Lasse Hallström (starring Juliette Binoche, Johnny Depp and Judy Dench) was nominated for an Oscar in five categories and a Golden Globe in four.

10. Vladimir Nabokov - "The Gift"

The Gift (1938) is the last Russian novel by Vladimir Nabokov, which can rightfully be called the pinnacle of the Russian-speaking period of his work and one of the masterpieces of Russian literature of the 20th century. Telling about the creative development of the young émigré writer Fyodor Godunov-Cherdyntsev, this deeply autobiographical book deals with the most important Nabokov topics: the fate of Russian literature, the mystery of the true gift, the idea of ​​personal immortality, attainable through memories, love and art.

Sit back in an easy chair, close your eyes, take a deep breath and honestly and truthfully answer the questions: "Are you happy with your life?", "Are you doing what you always wanted?" ... If in all three cases you give positive answers, then congratulations, you are one of those lucky ones who successfully found your destiny, and now you live in accordance with it, rejoicing every day. If these questions cause you only dreary thoughts and a feeling of dissatisfaction with the current situation, refer to our today's selection of books on finding yourself. The main characters of these works, like you, had a rather poor understanding of what to do with their lives, but in the end they managed to find a solution.

Swami Radhanatha “The Journey Home. Autobiography of an American Yogi "

Once upon a time, Richard Slavin was an ordinary American kid from the suburbs of Chicago. Today he is known as Swami Radhanatha, bhakti yoga teacher, public figure and ambassador for peace. His story, which began as a fun hitchhiking trip across Europe with friends, turned into something much more valuable - a real spiritual journey. For two years, Richard traveled half the world, met powerful yogis and famous gurus, experienced many difficulties and hardships, and even put his life in danger several times. But, believe me, it was worth it, because, following the call of his heart, he found himself.

Laurie Nelson Spielman - "Life Plan"

They say that our true desires and dreams are the very ones that came from childhood, and all the rest are imposed by family, public opinion or the media. Sometimes it seems almost impossible to separate the wheat from the chaff and understand what is still yours, but only by honestly sorting out with yourself, you can become truly happy. The main character of the novel "Life Plan" Bret, after the death of her mother, was surprised to learn her last will: her beloved daughter does not receive an inheritance, she cannot live in her father's house, and yes, she is fired from the family corporation. And she also got a list of goals that the girl wrote at the age of 14: buy a horse, work as a teacher, make peace with her father. If Bret can fulfill them, he will receive a reward, and if not, well ... The heroine had no choice but to swear at her mother's folly to begin to implement the plan. Only now, this whole undertaking turned out to be not at all an easy task. The father died long ago, the horse does not fit into the city apartment, and the work as a teacher turns into a complete disaster.

John Krakauer "Into the Wild"

If Richard Slavin managed to find the truth largely thanks to communication with sages and renowned teachers, then the protagonist of the documentary novel by John Krakauer "Into the Wild" in his search for himself chose a different path - loneliness and self-denial. Chris McCandless, being one of the most promising students at Emory University, after graduation left his property, donated money to charity and went to Alaska, to the dark and harsh kingdom of eternal glaciers. In the taiga wilderness, many kilometers from civilization, this impressionable young man, who admired Leo Tolstoy, tried to find answers to fundamental questions and understand what human happiness is. Having freed himself from the extra husk of everyday life and the patterns of behavior and rules imposed by society, Chris, having spent 189 days in complete solitude, nevertheless coped with this riddle. Only the price for the correct answer turned out to be too high.

Erlend Lou “Naively. Super"

Any person at some point in his life can feel the absolute meaninglessness of his existence. It seems that everything is in order: there is work, relatives and friends are also available, but still some kind of melancholy gnaws at every minute, and it is not clear who you are, and most importantly, why you are. The protagonist of the novel “Naively. Super "realizing that he had fallen into such a swamp, he decided to set aside a month for a reboot and try to study himself closely during this period. No round-the-world travel, no life upheavals, only loneliness, reflection, silence. So what do you do when you get lost in this world? Make lists. Play and have fun. Remember good stories. See little things. Believe in important things. The answers to the most difficult questions are usually the simplest.

Julie Powell “Julie & Julia. Cooking happiness according to the recipe "

Julie Powell once had this typical and familiar "midlife crisis." Unloved work, problems with your husband, monotonous days and oppressive relatives - when all this piles up at one moment, you urgently need to look for some ray of light until you find yourself in the darkness, buried under the rubble of your own life. For Julie, cooking became such a saving ray - the girl decided to implement an ambitious plan: to cook 524 French recipes from the book of Julia Child, a famous American chef, in a year, and highlight this project in her blog. Dish by dish, recipe by recipe, Julie changed her everyday life, proving to others and to herself that anything can become the key to a new life, as long as there is a sincere desire for change and a little imagination.