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lindsayharmon's review against another edition
3.0
3.5. Now I want to read Montaigne, although I have a feeling I won't enjoy it as much as reading a book about reading Montaigne. I'm weird like that.
jwilliamson5795's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
Great read. But I love the subject matter, so it may have flowed easier for me than others that don’t.
Informative, with a great framing of the life of Montaigne and the lessons of his Essays.
Informative, with a great framing of the life of Montaigne and the lessons of his Essays.
liberrydude's review against another edition
4.0
A rather unique and innovative biographical approach to an amazing man. I'm not sure I need to rush out and read the Essays as I've gleaned a lot from this book about the man and what he said and what's been intrepeted about what he said. Amazing how his reception bounced back and forth from banning to adulation and really ironic that the English loved him and trumpted him much to the chagrin of the French and Catholic intelligentsia, at least for a time. We can consider Montaigne the first blogger to some extent according to Bakewell. Bakewell also at the end of the book ponders the role of Montaigne's cat in his writings. Now that would be an idea for a book; the cat writing about how he or she molded Montaigne. So I guess I'm going to have to add the Essays to my reading list.
jenmcmaynes's review against another edition
4.0
Part biography, part history, part literary analysis. A bit of an uneven mixture that somehow was still very satisfying in terms of conveying the life, times, and personality of Montaigne without actually reading all of the Essays. I did not find the structure very useful (asking “how to live?” and answering in 20 different chapters with examples from the Essays) as Montaigne’s philosophy probably would not have let him give a definitive answer to the question. :) But the writing was direct and easy to read, I learned quite a bit, and am considering reading the Essays now. Recommended.
tik_fak_teau's review against another edition
challenging
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Perspective-shifting book. Little long in some places but I’ll be re-reading this
rumbledethumps's review against another edition
5.0
This is the best book I've read this year. Part biography, part history, part literary criticism, it explores Montaigne, his world, and his work.
Starting with Montaigne's Essays, and spiraling out to encompass his life, and the life of his work over the centuries since he died, Bakewell has written a book unlike anything else I have ever read.
Starting with Montaigne's Essays, and spiraling out to encompass his life, and the life of his work over the centuries since he died, Bakewell has written a book unlike anything else I have ever read.
shaneboyar's review against another edition
At this point, I will read anything Sarah Bakewell writes.