I believe - given several negative reviews - that the book deserves a disclaimer first. Unlike in
The Age of Absurdity: Why Modern Life makes it Hard to be Happy
, where one can claim from start to finish that the author used an incredibly rich and varied selection of sources raging from the scientific to the literary to bring his point across, the first ~60% of this book seem to fit similar subjects primarily around the life and writing of two men - James Joyce and Marcel Proust. If the two generally strike your fancy, the book is likely to appeal, of course. At the same time the author runs the risk of alienating lots of readers, who may conclude that reading
Ulysses
or
In Search of Lost Time [volumes 1 to 7
] may bring just as much and potentially be more rewarding.
While not a great admirer of Joyce prior to reading this book (and hence partially understanding the critical reviews), I found that there are two elements that make the book easier to get through - the first being that it works better when enjoyed in small chunks at a time, and the second one that both Proust and Joyce slowly relinquish their iron grip on the book's center stage (by that time - around 60% into the book, it may very well be too late for most readers).
The book still brings many well thought out observations on the banal aspects of life and on how these, rather than being abhorred, can just as well be enjoyed, leading to a less fashionable but more satisfying path. Many aspects covered are similar to those the author writes about in
The Age of Absurdity: Why Modern Life makes it Hard to be Happy
but are looked at from perhaps a slightly different angle.
My final verdict would be that if you only ever plan to go for one of Foley's books,
The Age of Absurdity: Why Modern Life makes it Hard to be Happy
is probably the one to go for. If, however, you enjoy some further stimulus to your thinking in the direction of everyday life, are not turned off by Joyce or Proust and take it slower than with the first book, there is still much that is good here.
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![Embracing the Ordinary: Lessons From the Champions of Everyday Life by [Michael Foley]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51gO0MmVV3L._SY346_.jpg)
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Top reviews from other countries
AK
Perhaps not as good as 'Age of Absurdity' but still an erudite observation of everyday life
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 February 2014Verified Purchase
Lucy Rutnam
An entertaining and revealing view of life
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 July 2012Verified Purchase
Chickpea
A great set of instructions
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 May 2018Verified Purchase
Amazon Customer
Boring
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 March 2020Verified Purchase
savagegardener
Another Extraordinary Book.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 October 2017Verified Purchase
