The You Code (by Judi James)

(Amazon UK link)

I hadn't heard of Judi James. Apparently she has appeared on TV and radio in the UK. She has written novels, and she's one of the leading experts on body language.

I actually got hold of 'The You Code' after having it recommended to me via Amazon, based on previous wishlist items and ratings. It sounded intriguing. It claims to teach its readers about body language, to explain 'hidden meanings' behind our habits and choices. It also claimed to help us understand our friends and colleagues better through observing them. I'm always keen to read about our inner selves, and to understand other people better. So thought it could be an interesting read.

Unfortunately, it's a light-weight book which barely scrapes the surface of body language. I'm not sure if it was intended to include faintly humorous exaggerated stereotypes, so obvious that nobody could take them seriously, or whether it assumes that the general public are completely ignorant about what their most overt body language says and thus was actually intended to teach people something. I rather hope it was the former, since all it does is to provide a lengthy list of caricatures that are hardly revealing or unexpected. In many cases they are exaggerated or inaccurate.

Some of the caricatures are rather obvious (someone middle-aged with spiky hair probably wants to appear either shocking or aggressive... well duh!). Some are rather Freudian (someone who sucks their pen is hankering after suckling... hmmm). Some are just silly (drinking tap water means one is uncreative?)

I found it to be a book to skim, and roll my eyes, and rather wish I hadn't bothered. Yes, some parts are faintly amusing. But there isn't anything that couldn't be found in the back of a women's magazine in one of those silly quizzes: 'What does your Handbag say about you?' and the like.

Indeed, this book feels pretty much like a compilation of magazine quizzes rather than a serious work. I didn't learn anything new about myself, since most of the categories either didn't apply or were incorrect. I am the kind of person who almost never buys coffee out and wouldn't dream of taking a Starbucks or similar to the office, if I worked in one. Moreover, I don't drink tea, nor do I watch TV.  I certainly didn't learn anything new about any of my friends. As for learning to appear to better advantage... there is very little in that section; nothing new to me at all.

On the plus side, it's quick and easy to read. The style is friendly and pleasant, and I suppose if there's anyone who goes around without any clue about what people's choices may reveal about them, it could be worth reading. However I didn't find anywhere that explained that it should be taken with a large pinch of salt. I thought the author should have explained that the stereotypes given are just general, rather than to be taken literally in every circumstance. But perhaps I missed it. After the first couple of chapters I skimmed progressively more and more, since I was hoping (in vain, as it turned out) to find something that was either interesting or relevant.

Really not recommended.

Review copyright Sue's Book Reviews, 5th February 2010