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.
Buying Options
Kindle Price: | $13.99 |
includes tax, if applicable | |
Sold by: |
Simon and Schuster Digital Sales Inc (AU)
This price was set by the publisher. |


![Embracing the Ordinary: Lessons From the Champions of Everyday Life by [Michael Foley]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51gO0MmVV3L._SY346_.jpg)
Follow the Author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
OK
Embracing the Ordinary: Lessons From the Champions of Everyday Life Kindle Edition
by
Michael Foley
(Author)
Format: Kindle Edition
Michael Foley
(Author)
Find all the books, read about the author, and more.
See search results for this author
|
Product description
About the Author
Michael Foley was born in Derry, Northern Ireland, but has lived most of his adult life in London, working for twenty-three years as a Lecturer in Information Technology at the University of Westminster before retiring in 2007 to concentrate on full-time writing. He has published critically-acclaimed poetry, novels and non-fiction, including The Age of Absurdity (Simon & Schuster 2010), which was a bestseller and has been translated into seven languages.
--This text refers to the paperback edition.
Product details
- ASIN : B006VJN182
- Publisher : Simon & Schuster UK; UK ed. edition (5 July 2012)
- Language : English
- File size : 1065 KB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 337 pages
-
Best Sellers Rank:
943,659 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- 694 in Humanist Philosophy
- 1,145 in Humanism Philosophy
- 1,150 in Consciousness & Thought (Kindle Store)
- Customer Reviews:
Customer reviews
3.5 out of 5 stars
3.5 out of 5
29 global ratings
How are ratings calculated?
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyses reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Top reviews from other countries

AK
4.0 out of 5 stars
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
17 people found this helpful
Report abuse

Lucy Rutnam
5.0 out of 5 stars
An entertaining and revealing view of life
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 July 2012Verified Purchase
I really enjoy this author's pithy wit and wide range of reference. This book is a tribute to real life and real people: modern mankind presented in the raw as a much more entertaining and absurd creature than the sanitised, idealised portrayals we have learnt to believe in. The author's observation on modern life make me laugh. He also picks out interesting highlights from other authors concerned with elevating the ordinary in life, such as Munro, Proust, Kafka, Joyce etc.. . A rich, inspiring and entertaining read. I would definitely recommend it and The Age of Absurdity.
13 people found this helpful
Report abuse

Chickpea
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great set of instructions
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 May 2018Verified Purchase
Michael Foley's best book - a set of instructions on how to just be content with the ordinary - got it for about £2.50 another great bargain.

Amazon Customer
1.0 out of 5 stars
Boring
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 March 2020Verified Purchase
Long winded

savagegardener
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another Extraordinary Book.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 October 2017Verified Purchase
I thoroughly enjoyed this book as much as The age of absurdity, and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a laugh, but also wants to learn quiet truths to help them live a more satisfying life. Brilliant.