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msaid2's review against another edition
4.0
Fun read and a good way to contemplate your particular way of life and why you are doing all the things you are doing, when really, there are other ways to live your life. But the tone of the book is a bit jarring in these particular winter 2021 times and makes you wonder what Tom Hodgkinson is writing now, and how we should be now.
greatexpectations77's review against another edition
3.0
Whew. In a classic case of judging a book by it's cover (yes, yes, I know), when I picked this book up at the library, I expected this compact book with whimsical illustrations to be (referencing its subject matter) an idle perusing. I was very wrong. Although I did enjoy this book, it's a dense read with lots of research on rest, relaxation, and idleness. At just over 300 pages, it's packed with history lessons, encouragement, advice, and comedy. I would advise other readers to approach this book in chunks, rather than trying to get through the whole thing at one time.
olanaras's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to love this book, because I love Tom and I love the idler. However, this book is really just a collection of short essays and doesn’t warrant a book (or at least a book I want to read as a whole). It works far better in his weekly emails and idler magazine articles. Also, I’m personally a natural early riser and hate night tim; the first half of the book, with its witty observations of daytime, was very poignant for me, whilst the second half wasn’t something I could understand or laugh along with. I’m sure it’s the opposite for most people.
It’s not that it was a bad book, it was just a bad book for me. For me, a book needs a story - without a line through it all, there is no need for a collection of essays to become a book.
It’s not that it was a bad book, it was just a bad book for me. For me, a book needs a story - without a line through it all, there is no need for a collection of essays to become a book.
line_so_fine's review against another edition
3.0
The best parts of this for me were the parts where the author identifies a historical tradition of idling via famous writers and philosophers. I had forgotten that Neitzsche extolled laziness and hey, it makes me feel better about the time I spend doing absolutely nothing when there are certified brainiacs sayings it's good. Although it's well-written, well-researched, and fun to read, I think you would have to really, really want to read something about loafing to get into this. If the interest in the subject is only mild, the writing is not going to pull you all the way in.
lolhiphop's review against another edition
4.0
I bought it just to laugh and it turned out to be an excellent guide. Being lazy has never been so good.
cilly_karma's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
2.0
This was a rather annoying read ; for two or three good chapters, the rest is drowned in alcoholism, privilege and misogyny. The author advocates for a return of the aristocratic idleness, which is not revolutionary and even dangerous. Bad take !
bdplume's review against another edition
4.0
Deeper than I thought it would be, if a little over-the-top sometimes. Very amusing as well.
srousseau's review against another edition
2.0
I skimmed this after the first few chapters. This is a compilation of the authors thoughts on idleness coupled with quotes from the past several hundred years. Arranged by hour.
buma2's review against another edition
5.0
http://marysbookpedia.wordpress.com/2013/11/06/despre-lene/
msjenne's review against another edition
3.0
Well, I broke my foot and was kind of stuck being idle, so I figured I ought to find out how to do it right.
This is a fun little book--each chapter corresponds to an hour in the day, and some type of thing you might be doing, or not doing, then.
I didn't feel obliged to really read it especially closely, I skimmed some parts and skipped around a bit, but it was very enjoyable.
I definitely agree with him that everyone needs to get more sleep.
This is a fun little book--each chapter corresponds to an hour in the day, and some type of thing you might be doing, or not doing, then.
I didn't feel obliged to really read it especially closely, I skimmed some parts and skipped around a bit, but it was very enjoyable.
I definitely agree with him that everyone needs to get more sleep.