Notes on Being Perfect

Being Perfect by Anna Quindlen is a small book with only 64 pages and several artistic, black and white photographs.

Susan H. Woodcock of the Fairfax County Public Library in VA describes it this way:

In this brief treatise, Quindlen attempts to deter readers from continually seeking perfection, which is by definition unoriginal and stereotypical. She believes that everyone needs to find her (or his, though the general tone and the illustrations seem to focus on female needs) own true self, especially for those moments when there is nothing else left.

She describes herself as having been a true perfectionist throughout high school. After a semester or so at Barnard, she realized that she would never be the prettiest, smartest, or "est" anything, but she could try to find out who she was and not be afraid to try new and unusual routes through life. This realization was more freeing than she expected, and she encourages readers, young and older alike, to do the same.

The book reads much like a commencement address, but both size and subject matter should appeal to teens looking out on the landscape of their lives. It is also a good example of an essay or short biographical account for those studying such literary forms.

These are the main points of Being Perfect that stuck out for me:

• Effort is the point of effortless perfection.
• Things that lack effort, lack soul, passion and reality.
• Perfection alienates.
• The lockstep (think military) is the opposite of the skip and jump. Avoid lockstep at all cost.
• Every story has already been told, but if your books (actions) reflect your character, the authentic shape of your life and mind, then you may be giving readers and yourself and new and wonderful gift.
• When parenting, lead by example.
• Give up the quest for perfection. It causes us to doubt and denigrate ourselves, our quirks and foibles and great heroic leaps into the unknown.
• Make mischief. Have fun. Be contrarian.
• "It's never too late to be what you might have been." -George Eliot