‘Dazzling’ John Updike
How Proust Can Change Your Life
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‘What a marvellous book this is . . . de Botton dissects what [Proust] had to say about friendship, reading, looking carefully, paying attention taking your time, being alive and adds his own delicious commentary. The result is an intoxicating as it is wise, amusing as well as stimulating, and presented in so fresh a fashion as to be unique . . . I could not stop, and now much start all over again.’ Brian Masters, Mail on Sunday ‘De Botton not only has a complete understanding of Proust’s life . . . but what is particularly charming about this small, readable book is its tongue-in-cheek benignity, its lightly held erudition and its generous way of lending itself to what is not only the greatest book of the century but also the darkest and the most eccentric’ Edmund White, Observer ‘It contains more human interest and play of fancy than most fiction . . . de Botton, in emphasizing Proust’s healing, advisory aspects, does us the service of rereading him on our behalf, providing of that vast sacred lake a sweet and lucid distillation.’ John Updike, New Yorker ‘De Botton’s little book is so charming, amusing and sensible that it may even itself change your life.’ Allan Massie, Daily Telegraph ‘This engaging book is one of the most entertaining pieces of literary criticism I have read in a long while.’ Sunday Telegraph ‘A very enjoyable book’ Sebastian Faulks
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
109 of 111 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I like this book very much and have read it several times. It's not really about Proust, it is about looking at the world like Proust. It is a simple reminder of the sort things we miss in life when we are immersed in the hurry-scurry of the rat-race. So if I'm a bit fed-up, I take up this book and learn to take a breath, while seeing the world afresh. I find the section on the portayal of everyday things in art, particularly inspiring and up-lifting. Its about appreciating the things that were always there but we fail to see. I recommend it highly.
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By Damian Kelly
Format:Paperback
Reading anything by de Botton I feel a serenity descend upon me. His writing seems to have a soothing effect and this book was no different.
In "How Proust can change your life" he takes the wisdom to be found in the novels of Proust and shows how they can help us to live better lives. Or perhaps to make us aware that we live better lives than we think.
There are sections on how to love life, read for yourself, take your time, suffer succesfully, express your emotions, be a good friend, open your eyes, be happy in love and put books down.
I loved this book and it has made me feel I can read Proust and appreciate it properly. Swann's Way is next for me and I am looking forward to it with anticipation. But whether you intend to read Proust or not this book is well worth reading.
In "How Proust can change your life" he takes the wisdom to be found in the novels of Proust and shows how they can help us to live better lives. Or perhaps to make us aware that we live better lives than we think.
There are sections on how to love life, read for yourself, take your time, suffer succesfully, express your emotions, be a good friend, open your eyes, be happy in love and put books down.
I loved this book and it has made me feel I can read Proust and appreciate it properly. Swann's Way is next for me and I am looking forward to it with anticipation. But whether you intend to read Proust or not this book is well worth reading.
164 of 172 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Let me start by saying that I sleep well at night and don't pretend to have the vaguest clue about some of the great writers of literature. Now that I've established my honesty and credibility, maybe I can say a few words about this book. Personally, I think the author wouldn't be such a bad fellow to know. I like the way he segmented the book and described relevant portions of Proust. I am a soldier and spend a lot of time in the field; currently in a part of the world which is undergoing an uneasy truce. I read whatever I can get my hands on and am tired of the muscle and skin magazines, car magazines, etc., which is the normal fare. When a book like this comes along, which is fairly easy to read and digest and more importantly, makes me want to attempt the real thing, then I don't think it's such a bad book and certainly not deserving of one or two stars. As for re-evaluating life's experiences, I hope that I can sit back one day and use a "Proustian" view to re-examine my current experiences; something which I have not been able to do as I've only been able to react. That is probably the biggest lesson and the irony of the whole Proust phenomenon, that is, from his bed, he observes with the utmost clarity, the most minute activities of a day, while the rest of us are busy living and missing out on these subtleties and insights into ourselves.
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4.1 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Good Read
What a very good read this was. Having read Swann's Way to date, I shall read the other volumes of the work with greater perception and insight. Read more
Published 7 days ago by The squirrel
2.0 out of 5 stars
style over substance
sadly disappointing - although elegantly expressed, his observations were ultimately crude and his attempt to relate each one to modern life somehow forced. a shame.
Published 2 months ago by avid reader
5.0 out of 5 stars
Looks great on my shelf.
I got this because I thought reading it would make me smarter. So far it has been on my shelf for a year and despite me not reading it, people think I have, so I look smarter... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Harry_Bristol
4.0 out of 5 stars
Because....
If you want something to help you sleep, this is it! Its interesting waffle and sleep happens quickly every time I pick it up! Its genius!!!!!
Published 4 months ago by Fiona Cullen
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable thought provoking
The summary as written on line prepared one for this book. No great surprises. Enjoyable to read if this is your taste in literature
Published 7 months ago by pat neale
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting introduction to Proust
I have never read Proust and this is the first book I've read by Alain De Botton. I am now intrigued by Proust as it seems he had some interesting things to say about everyday... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Damaskcat
4.0 out of 5 stars
How Proust Can Change Your Life
What can I say about the master of procrustination and detailing the bleeding obvious in several chapters!
Un fair, I hear you moan. I know. Your're right. Read more
Un fair, I hear you moan. I know. Your're right. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Strawberry
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good
Book arrived in very good order, couldnt be better for a used item. Havent had time to dig into it but from the few pages I read seems very promissing
Published 14 months ago by R. Goncalves
2.0 out of 5 stars
much ado about not very much
I have read and enjoyed almost all of De Botton's books, and was expecting to enjoy this too, but I found this to be very disappointing. Read more
Published 15 months ago by markr
5.0 out of 5 stars
A first class Warm up Act
This book is a tasty appetiser for anyone considering reading a bit of (or a lot of) Proust. Teasing out several themes representative of Proust's refections, De Botton elegantly... Read more
Published 23 months ago by anozama
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