What You Need to Know About Diary of an Oxygen Thief by Anonymous [EPUB]: A Review and Analysis

Diary of an Oxygen Thief by Anonymous: A Review

If you are looking for a book that will make you laugh, cry, cringe, and think, you might want to check out Diary of an Oxygen Thief by Anonymous. This novel, which was self-published in 2006 and became a bestseller in 2016, is a confessional memoir of a former alcoholic who used to emotionally abuse women. In this review, we will explore what makes this book so popular, what are its main themes, what are its strengths and weaknesses, how it compares to other similar books, and who should read it.

Diary of an Oxygen Thief by Anonymous [EPUB]

What is Diary of an Oxygen Thief?

Diary of an Oxygen Thief is a novel written by Anonymous and published in Amsterdam by NLVI in 2006. The book is an autobiography of an Irish advertising executive living in London who used to emotionally abuse women. After attending AA meetings, he sobers up and looks back on his past relationships with remorse. The novel spans almost a decade and the narrator grapples with addiction, paranoia, and a legacy of pain. The titular Oxygen Thief refers to the low self-esteem of the narrator. The book chronicles his relationships with women, including one woman who he feels is his karmic retribution for having treated women poorly.

Why is Diary of an Oxygen Thief popular?

Diary of an Oxygen Thief quickly became popular from its initial publication in 2006 to 2016 where it was listed on both Amazon and iTunes 20 top selling books. The book was also called a "surprise dark-horse Williamsburg best seller" by New York Magazine, referring to the independent art, literature, and music scene in Brooklyn, New York. Some of the reasons why this book is popular are:

• It is honest, hilarious, and heartrending. The narrator does not shy away from exposing his flaws, mistakes, and regrets. He also uses humor and sarcasm to cope with his pain and to entertain the reader. The book is full of witty observations, dark jokes, and ironic twists. The reader can empathize with the narrator's struggles, hopes, and fears.

• It is original and unique. The book does not follow a conventional plot or structure. It is written in a conversational style as if the narrator is talking directly to the reader. It also uses various literary devices such as metaphors, similes, allusions, references, etc. to enhance its meaning and impact. The book is also anonymous, which adds to its mystery and intrigue.

• It is relevant and relatable. The book touches on many issues that are common in modern society such as addiction, abuse, self-esteem, identity, love, etc. The reader can relate to the narrator's experiences or learn from them. The book also offers a glimpse into the culture and lifestyle of London and New York in the early 2000s.

What are the main themes of Diary of an Oxygen Thief?

Diary of an Oxygen Thief is a book that explores many themes that are important for human life. Some of the main themes are:

Addiction and recovery

The narrator is an alcoholic who uses alcohol to escape from his problems and to numb his emotions. He also admits that he is addicted to hurting women because it gives him a sense of power and control. He realizes that his addiction is destroying his life and he decides to join AA meetings to get sober. He learns that recovery is not easy or linear. He faces many challenges such as cravings, relapses, guilt, etc. He also learns that recovery requires honesty, humility, forgiveness, etc.

Love and abuse

The narrator has a distorted view of love. He believes that love is a game where he has to manipulate and hurt women to get what he wants. He does not respect or care for them as human beings. He treats them as objects or trophies. He enjoys making them fall for him and then breaking their hearts. He does not realize that he is actually hurting himself by doing so. He meets a woman who turns out to be more abusive than him. She uses him for her own gain and then dumps him without remorse. She makes him feel what he made others feel. He realizes that he has met his match and that he has been karma's victim.

Self-esteem and identity

The narrator has a low self-esteem. He hates himself for being an alcoholic and an abuser. He thinks that he does not deserve love or happiness. He calls himself an oxygen thief because he feels that he is wasting air that could be used by someone else. He does not have a clear sense of who he is or what he wants. He changes his name several times throughout the book to reflect his different identities or roles. He tries to find himself through his work or his relationships but he fails to do so.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of Diary of an Oxygen Thief?

Diary of an Oxygen Thief is a book that has both strengths and weaknesses. Some of them are:

Strengths

• The book is honest. The narrator does not sugarcoat or censor his story. He tells it as it is without hiding or lying.

• The book is hilarious. The narrator has a sharp sense of humor that makes the reader laugh even at the most tragic or disturbing situations.

• The book is original. The book has a unique style and voice that makes it stand out from other books.

Weaknesses

• The book is misogynistic. The narrator shows a blatant disrespect and contempt for women throughout the book. He objectifies them sexually or emotionally.

• The book is narcissistic. The narrator shows a lack of empathy or remorse for his actions throughout the book. He only cares about himself or his own feelings.

• The book is repetitive. The book follows a similar pattern throughout the book where the narrator meets a woman, seduces her, abuses her, dumps her.

How does Diary of an Oxygen Thief compare to other similar books?

Diary of an Oxygen Thief can be compared to other books that are similar in genre or theme such as:

Similar books

Title

Author

Description

Catcher in the Rye

J.D.Salinger

A classic novel about a rebellious teenager who wanders around New York after being expelled from school.

Lolita

Vladimir Nabokov

A controversial novel about a middle-aged man who becomes obsessed with a young girl.

Bright Lights Big City

Jay McInerney

A novel about a young man who loses his job, his wife, and his sense of direction in the hedonistic nightlife of New York.

Differences and similarities

Diary of an Oxygen Thief differs and resembles other books in various ways. Some of them are:

• It differs from Catcher in the Rye by being more explicit and cynical about sex and drugs. It resembles it by having a disillusioned and alienated narrator who wanders around the city.

• It differs from Lolita by being more realistic and less poetic about the narrator's obsession. It resembles it by having a controversial and unreliable narrator who exploits a young girl.

• It differs from Bright Lights Big City by being more humorous and ironic about the narrator's downfall. It resembles it by having a self-destructive and aimless narrator who loses his job, his wife, and his identity in the urban jungle.

Who should read Diary of an Oxygen Thief?

Diary of an Oxygen Thief is a book that can appeal to different types of readers. Some of them are:

Target audience

The book is suitable for readers who:

• Are interested in contemporary fiction and memoirs.

• Are curious about the culture and lifestyle of London and New York in the early 2000s.

• Are open-minded and tolerant of different perspectives and opinions.

• Are looking for a book that is honest, hilarious, and heartrending.

Warnings and caveats

The book is not suitable for readers who:

• Are easily offended or disturbed by graphic descriptions of sex, drugs, violence, or abuse.

• Are sensitive or triggered by topics such as addiction, depression, suicide, or misogyny.

• Are looking for a book that is uplifting, inspiring, or moralizing.

• Are expecting a book that is conventional, predictable, or linear.

Conclusion

Diary of an Oxygen Thief by Anonymous is a novel that tells the story of a former alcoholic who used to emotionally abuse women. The book is popular because it is honest, hilarious, and original. The book explores themes such as addiction, abuse, self-esteem, and identity. The book has strengths such as its honesty, humor, and originality. The book has weaknesses such as its misogyny, narcissism, and repetitiveness. The book can be compared to other books such as Catcher in the Rye, Lolita, and Bright Lights Big City. The book can appeal to readers who are interested in contemporary fiction and memoirs, curious about the culture and lifestyle of London and New York in the early 2000s, open-minded and tolerant of different perspectives and opinions, and looking for a book that is honest, hilarious, and heartrending. The book can also repel readers who are easily offended or disturbed by graphic descriptions of sex, drugs, violence, or abuse, sensitive or triggered by topics such as addiction, depression, suicide, or misogyny, looking for a book that is uplifting, inspiring, or moralizing, or expecting a book that is conventional, predictable, or linear.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who is Anonymous?

The author of Diary of an Oxygen Thief has chosen to remain anonymous. He has not revealed his name or any personal details about himself. He has only given some clues about his identity such as being Irish, working in advertising, living in London and New York, etc. He has also written two sequels to Diary of an Oxygen Thief: Chameleon in a Candy Store (2008) and Eunuchs and Nymphomaniacs (2019).

• Why did he write Diary of an Oxygen Thief?

The author has stated that he wrote Diary of an Oxygen Thief as a form of therapy and catharsis. He wanted to express his feelings and thoughts about his past relationships and actions. He also wanted to share his story with other people who might have gone through similar experiences or who might learn something from his mistakes.

• Is Diary of an Oxygen Thief a true story?

The author has claimed that Diary of an Oxygen Thief is based on his own life and experiences. However, he has also admitted that he has exaggerated some details and events for dramatic effect. He has also used fictional names and places to protect the privacy of himself and others. Therefore, Diary of an Oxygen Thief can be considered as a semi-fictional memoir.

• What is the tone of Diary of an Oxygen Thief?

The tone of Diary of an Oxygen Thief is mostly sarcastic and cynical. The narrator uses irony and humor to cope with his pain and to mock himself and others. He also uses a conversational style to address the reader directly and to create a sense of intimacy and authenticity. However, the tone also changes at some points to reflect the narrator's emotions such as anger, sadness, regret, etc.

• What is the message of Diary of an Oxygen Thief?

The message of Diary of an Oxygen Thief can be interpreted in different ways depending on the reader's perspective and opinion. Some possible messages are:

• Hurt people hurt people. The narrator's abusive behavior towards women stems from his own trauma and insecurity. He also gets hurt by someone who treats him the same way he treated others.

• Addiction is a disease that affects all aspects of life. The narrator's addiction to alcohol and cocaine ruins his career, his marriage, his health, and his happiness.

• Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom before you can change. The narrator's downfall forces him to confront his problems and to seek help. He also realizes that he needs to forgive himself and others.

• You can't run away from yourself or your past. The narrator tries to escape from his reality by moving to different cities or by using drugs. However, he can't avoid facing himself or his past eventually. He also learns that he can't change others or make them love him.

• You have to be honest with yourself and others. The narrator lies to himself and others about his feelings, his actions, and his intentions. He also hides behind a mask of irony and detachment. He discovers that honesty is essential for healing and for building trust.