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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
If you're a watcher or listener of the school of life's videos and podcasts then you will be very familiar with the content of this book. However it is nice to have everything in one place presented in a cohesive way. For those who find themselves scratching their heads at the state of the modern way we interact, this is a must read.
medium-paced
I wish The School of Life didn't sound and look so self-helpy - it's incredibly informative regarding emotions, childhood and psychotherapy, and full of very meaningful advice. A very good read.
emotional
informative
medium-paced
I had mixed feelings about The School of Life: An Emotional Education. Overall, I agreed with much of the book’s core premise—that emotional maturity is something we can intentionally cultivate across areas like self-understanding, relationships, community, work, and culture. There were plenty of sections I nodded along with, and I appreciated the mix of philosophy and practical insights.
That said, two parts gave me pause. First, in the relationships section, the tone sometimes bordered on a “stay together no matter what” philosophy in the name of growth. While I agree that love is a skill and relationships take effort, there are times when a partner crosses a line and the healthy choice is to set boundaries or walk away. That nuance felt underrepresented.
Second, there was a section on politeness that framed it as the “correct” way to live. I value politeness, but I also think it’s possible to overdo it. The ideal, to me, is a balance—knowing when to be gentle and when to be direct. We can be honest without being jerks, and kind without being pushovers.
So while I found the book thoughtful and worthwhile overall, my take comes with those caveats. If you go in knowing it leans toward long-haul commitment in relationships and has a strong preference for politeness, you might get more out of it. For me, it was a solid read with some important points, even if I didn’t fully buy into everything. Still, I would generically recommend this as definitely worth reading.
On the one hand, this book makes one feel less different/weird and on the other hand, it gives some insight into how other people might think and why they act the way they do. Obviously, just the author's opinion (based on studies) but definitely an interesting read. Recommended.
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
great book! has a ton of relevant information regarding emotional intelligence and is presented in a fun and interesting way. i loved the use of photos in this book; although there weren’t many, each played a huge role in the book.
challenging
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I've been working my way through this book for a couple of years now. Though I've completed it, this book will stay on my desk, always accessible. I'll always go back to it. It honestly gave shape to thoughts and feelings I didn’t even know I needed help naming. Alain de Botton is someone I've looked to over the past few years for practical wisdom and this book is a wonderful compilation of a lot of the guidance he offers in his writings. Because of the personal timing related to some things going on in my life, I especially appreciated his words on how to be better with others, by being more aware—of ourselves, of our patterns, of the work that love and connection requires. That guidance alone is worth returning to.
challenging
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
My first book by Alain de Botton was his novel called The Course of Love (2016), and I absolutely hated it, however at the time of reading it, I remember thinking that I might enjoy his non-fiction more. Kudos to my past self because I was absolutely right - this book was lifetimes better!
This is an intensely personal book. Although it's a meditation on many facets of the human experience at large, each reader will get something unique out of this book. The sections on identity and emotion spoke to me the most, while other sections such as those on romantic relationships did not make much of an impression on me. Even though some of these sections were not as striking to me, the book was still extremely pleasurable to read. The writing was fluid and lyrical - there is a beautiful personality to this book.
This is one I know that I'll revisit. I recommend this to anyone at a crossroads in their life, or who may be searching for a deeper meaning in our shallow-seeming world.
This is an intensely personal book. Although it's a meditation on many facets of the human experience at large, each reader will get something unique out of this book. The sections on identity and emotion spoke to me the most, while other sections such as those on romantic relationships did not make much of an impression on me. Even though some of these sections were not as striking to me, the book was still extremely pleasurable to read. The writing was fluid and lyrical - there is a beautiful personality to this book.
This is one I know that I'll revisit. I recommend this to anyone at a crossroads in their life, or who may be searching for a deeper meaning in our shallow-seeming world.
challenging
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
It was good not his best. The last chapter fell a bit like it was dragging.
I enjoyed this philosphical book about an emotional education very much. It is easy written and although it can offer some black and white discussions, you are given the tools to form an opinion an education to yourselves with what you redeem as important. I would definately recommend it to people who want to become more interested in the growth of people's emotional capacities (in a philisophical an humorously written way). It is, at least, not something we have ever learned at school and can all learn something from.