Of course I was triggered by the title. Defining myself as a member of the lgbtqia+ community involves accepting that I to some degree am allowed not to follow the norms defined by society, but I cannot help asking myself what defines being normal. This book is a curious exploration into the elusive concept of normality.
Apparently, 'normal' did not exist before and the concept is a creation of the industrial age, no more than roughly two hundred years old, which is also indicated on the cover. Indeed, at the start of the obsession with 'l'homme normale' was a Belgian statistician. Adophe Quetelet, in his Essai de Physique Sociale (1835), was the first to set the chalk lines within which statistically normal man thrives. Then things went from bad to worse, as just about everything and everyone was put against the yardstick of the average, based on the misplaced assumption that this would also be the ideal.
In several chapters, researcher Sarah Chaney explains how the new paradigm imposed its will on the body (the BMI), thinking (the IQ test), sex life (heteronormative), feelings (the stiff upper lip), children (normal or ADHD) and society (Western). Yet, time and again, it turns out that normal cannot be defined or that virtually no one meets it. And what is normal is not only viewpoint-determined but also changeable in time and space.
One of the strengths of the book is the distinction Chaney makes between normal, healthy and average. Often these terms are mixed up, when in reality they have very different meanings: "normal" is what most people do or think. But what is “normal” can vary by era, culture and even individual. "Healthy" is what is good for your physical and mental well-being. This may differ from the norm because what is healthy for one person may not be for another. "Average" is the middle value in a group. However, average says nothing about what is healthy or normal.
It is a book that's easy to read, and the theme is interesting. Still, I found some passages too long-winded, and I also kept waiting in vain for a conclusion: while Chaney correctly distinguishes between normal, healthy, and average, she often left me uncertain about the ultimate message.
Moreover, Chaney’s exploration of various aspects of human life, from body image to intelligence, felt somewhat superficial. While she touches on important issues, the depth of analysis is often lacking. Sometimes the book is being overly broad, attempting to cover too much ground without providing sufficient insight.
But I would recommend the book nevertheless: despite its shortcomings, Am I Normal? is a thought-provoking read that encourages readers to question societal norms and expectations. While it may not provide definitive answers, it certainly sparks important conversations about the pressures to conform and the value of individuality. Ultimately, the book serves as a reminder that embracing our unique qualities is far more enriching than striving for a mythical state of normalcy.
