Alain de Botton's 'Les Consolations de la philosophie' Reviewed
Patrick Amine reviews Alain de Botton's 'Les Consolations de la philosophie', published by Mercure de France. De Botton, born in Zurich in 1969 and living in London, is known for unclassifiable fictions blending narrative and essay. The book stages six philosophers: Socrates helps resist unpopularity; Epicure leads to pleasure despite poverty; Seneca consoles frustrations with a Senecan dictionary; Montaigne alleviates personal, cultural, and bodily deficiencies through affectivity; Schopenhauer explains heartaches; Nietzsche overcomes anxiety and despair. Inspired by Barthes' fragments, French moralists, and Laurence Sterne, de Botton shows how books help us live and not be alone. The review positions the work as a manual of wisdom and de Botton as one of the most innovative writers of his generation.
Key facts
- Alain de Botton was born in Zurich in 1969 and lives in London.
- The book 'Les Consolations de la philosophie' is published by Mercure de France.
- The book stages six philosophers: Socrates, Epicurus, Seneca, Montaigne, Schopenhauer, and Nietzsche.
- De Botton's style is inspired by Barthes' fragments, French moralists, and Laurence Sterne.
- The review was written by Patrick Amine for artpress.
- The book is described as a manual of wisdom.
- De Botton writes in English.
- The review appeared in the November 2001 issue of artpress.
Entities
Artists
- Alain de Botton
- Patrick Amine
Institutions
- Mercure de France
- artpress
Locations
- Zurich
- Switzerland
- London
- United Kingdom
Sources
- artpress —