#Review: RISE by Dr. Neena Verma

RISE: The ‘Deep Resilience’ Way
Author: Neena Verma
Publisher: Rupa Publications
Rating: 4/5

RISE arrives quietly, without the loud promises that usually accompany books on resilience. There are no quick fixes here, no aggressive cheerleading, no insistence that you simply “think positive and move on.” Instead, Neena Verma asks you to slow down and reconsider what resilience actually means—especially when life hasn’t been kind.

The writing is thoughtful, calm, and deliberately expansive. Verma moves away from the tired idea of resilience as mere “bouncing back” and reframes it as something deeper, more organic, and more humane. Her language is reflective rather than prescriptive, often leaning into metaphor—storms, roots, wellsprings—to make abstract ideas feel lived-in and tangible. The structure of the book mirrors its philosophy: layered, patient, and progressive, guiding the reader from surviving disruption to growing through it.

What works particularly well is the balance between theory and lived experience. The concepts—restorative adaptation, imaginal growth, expansive emergence—are rooted in research and professional practice, yet never feel academic or inaccessible. That said, readers looking for sharp, actionable takeaways on every page may find the pace a little meditative. This is not a book you skim for hacks; it’s one you sit with.
At times, the tone borders on the contemplative to a fault, and a tighter edit in places might have sharpened its impact.

But its greatest strength lies in its compassion. RISE doesn’t rush grief, doesn’t glamorise endurance, and doesn’t pretend that resilience looks the same for everyone.

Ultimately, this is a book for readers who are tired of performative strength and are ready for something quieter, truer, and more sustaining.

Find this book here.