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What was stunning about the Proust book was de Botton's brazen annexing of a hallowed novelist to address lite emotional problems. That format is less arresting when applied to the philosophers, since which earnest philosophy major has not, from time to time, tried to apply the alpine heights of thought to his own humble worries? Usually, sophomoric attempts to turn to, say, Kant for advice on love tend to be unmitigated disasters. In de Botton's case, however, he is able to find consolation for a broken heart in Schopenhauer, consolation for inadequacy in Montaigne. Epicurus, usually associated with a love of luxury, is a solace for those of us without much money--and de Botton learns from him that "objects mimic in a material dimension what we require in a psychological one. We need to rearrange our minds but are lured towards new shelves. We buy a cashmere cardigan as a substitute for the counsel of friends."
Lest the reader become burdened by all this philosophizing, the book is peppered with illustrations--the section on Nietzsche of course includes a DC Comics drawing of Superman. And it's further leavened by the author's personal anecdotes and winning confessional tone. Early on, for instance, he admits his own gnawing need for popularity: "A desire to please led me to laugh at modest jokes like a parent on the opening night of a school play." Before he became a medicine man for the soul, de Botton was a first-rate novelist, and it shows in his writing. --Claire Dederer --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Publishers Weekly
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
A few years ago, during a bitter New York winter, with an afternoon to spare before catching a flight to London, I found myself in a deserted gallery on the upper level of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Read the first page
Concordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
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Most helpful customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Clear, Concise, and Helpful,
By
This review is from: The Consolations of Philosophy (Paperback)
Stay ten feet away from this book if you think philosophy is a sacrosanct subject that can't be joked about. De Botton brilliantly juxtaposes serious text with photographs and diagrams that, by their very simplicity and obviousness, lighten the mood. I snorted when I reached the example of the "inebriated amateur potter" on pages 30-31. The humor is definitely quirky and you have to be willing to accept it for what it is.There is not a single sentence of this book written in jargon; any reader can appreciate its clarity and wit. It features entertaining biographies and a few philosophical lessons from six philosophers: Socrates, Epicurus, Seneca, Montaigne, Schopenhauer, and Nietzsche. The second, third, and fourth were my favorites. Epicurus valued material pleasures but nevertheless counseled that, as long as we have food and shelter enough to survive, we should be contented. Seneca observed that we cannot control our own destinies and that life does not distribute pleasures and pains fairly, and warned us not to be surprised or outraged when disaster strikes. Montaigne pointed out that our minds are not in total control of our bodies, so, for example, if your sexual performance is not as vigorous as desired, you do not have to be ashamed but rather can openly admit that your body is being noncompliant with your desires. These are all useful gems of wisdom. And from "The Consolations of Philosophy" we indirectly learn that humor is a kind of consolation, too.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
It can soothe an anxious mind trapped in a sick body,
By just some guy (USofA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Consolations of Philosophy (Paperback)
I can't really say whether this book will help or console those going through the troubles the book deals with, mainly about the pain of unpopularity and lack of money and so on. But I read this book on a whim when I was going through a very harsh and prolonged sickness, and it lifted my spirits and took my mind off my body. What consoled me was learning about how others - famous deep thinkers of the past - dealt with their own pains and sorrows. I was going through a very real physical problem, but it's not necessarily the physical part of the body that needs consoling, but how the mind DEALS with the physical malady. A lot as has been said about how the mindset can affect the body. I won't delve into that, since this is a review of a book. But at least for those going through harsh times, this book will enlighten you. If not that, it will serve as a very entertaining escapism. In my case, it was both enlightenment and escapism.
2.0 out of 5 stars
disappointed,
By William Provis "BroWilliam" (Regina, Saskatchewan Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Consolations of Philosophy (Paperback)
I first saw this guy on video and liked his style. There seemed to be a push on his work (in the recommedations for you on Amazon) so I bought the book. I'm no scholar but I sure expected more in the written format and from a man with his credentials. As with most descriptions and reviews, this was presented as much more than it turned out to be. There are flashes of his wit and knowledge but overall I found it quite disappointing. It seems that this was more of an outline for a book rather than a finished product from a scholar. The illustrations are fillers to increase the size of the book and to add the illusion that it is an in-depth work. I bought it on-line, had I looked at it in a store I would not have purchased it. Seems to me that it's another example of publishers cashing-in on popularity and reputation to make a quick buck at the expense of the readers. I may give this guy one more chance before I stop reading his material.
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