Book Review
So I added this book to my cart on a whim, but also based on my lovely friend Jasmine's recommendation [Jasmine's Instagram]. Her caption on her little book review really sold me, describing how Alain De Botton mixes biographical aspects of Proust's life, with what we can take away from how Proust lived and also from his novels. That, and I also knew how dry and absolutely witty De Botton could be, having already seen a number of his talks on YouTube [this one's amazing]. Something light, but philosophical was what I needed. So, into the cart she went and a few days later, she was here.
I started the book and read it on and off throughout December. It starts slow, and you need to get into it a little bit, before De Botton really has you hooked. Towards the end I was speeding through because I was enjoying it so much. The penultimate chapter on love is particularly good, and had me leaving little notes in the margins, and circling, and underlining all the best bits. He effortlessly weaves in philosophical references, contemporary references, makes reference to characters in Proust's books, and other books, and other people in his time and not -- there are a lot of references. And it's excellent. The whole work comes together really easily, and you can tell that while this work comes across as quite casual and light, De Botton had a lot of research behind him. Anything you may have (or not have) wanted to know about the way Proust struggled and lived, is there, and it really does convince you to read Proust. There are some very deep reflections being made, but without them coming across as condescending, or obtuse.
De Botton is one of those people, who are very well adept at conveying their ideas and using words in general. He is incredibly articulate, in the way I wish I was, and combines it with a dry wit that will have you snickering to yourself. It's the right balance of literature and non-fiction, for those who might want to dip a toe into something new.
Basically, I'm pushing this book onto anyone who will listen.
Commentaires