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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I have only been to the Metropolitan Museum of Art once. I'm pretty sure it was before the pay as much as you can policy was changed. I went thinking as much as I could pay was nothing. I was not expecting to see a line of people waiting to pay for entry. But, I was firmly committed to paying nothing, so I sneaked past the guards at the entrance. As I made my way through the museum, I did not make eye contact with any security guards. If I saw one coming my way, I quickly left. I did not ask any of them any questions, nor did I wonder why they decided to become security guards. I didn't even think what it must be like to be a security guard.
After reading this book, I think museum security guard might be one of the best jobs in the world, except for the standing. If I were ever interested in actually getting a job, and if I cut a more imposing figure, I might even consider it.
What this book does well is the human interest stuff: the job, the backstories, the personal details. But, even though I consider myself an art lover, too, I really didn't like the parts about the art: how it looks, the emotion it evokes.
Overall, it's an enjoyable book. I learned new things. If I ever go to the Met again, I will (after paying to get in), pay more attention to the security guards. I may even make eye contact.
After reading this book, I think museum security guard might be one of the best jobs in the world, except for the standing. If I were ever interested in actually getting a job, and if I cut a more imposing figure, I might even consider it.
What this book does well is the human interest stuff: the job, the backstories, the personal details. But, even though I consider myself an art lover, too, I really didn't like the parts about the art: how it looks, the emotion it evokes.
Overall, it's an enjoyable book. I learned new things. If I ever go to the Met again, I will (after paying to get in), pay more attention to the security guards. I may even make eye contact.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
This was a lovely meditation not just on the Met itself, but on deeply affecting power of art and wonder to carry us through life's darkest moments. I can definitely respect and understand Bringley's need to step away from a fast-paced life in the wake of his brother's death and the appeal of the steadiness of life as a guard, where he stayed for 10 years — honestly, I've felt the draw to this kind of work myself in tough moments. It was really interesting to hear how such a massive fleet of guards functions, and there are many colorful characters among the ranks who liven up the narrative.
I listened to the audiobook, which is usually my preferences for memoirs/personal accounts, though Bringley's narration had a bit of a stilted quality to it at times, and didn't always sound natural. His website has links to the pieces he mentions so you can look them up later, which is something to keep in mind if having that type of visual reference is important to you.
This is by no means a comprehensive accounting of the museum, so if you're looking for something akin to a walking tour, this may not be the book for you. Nor does it fully grapple with the complicated legacy of places like the Met and the ways in which they acquire their treasures. But overall, Bringley's musings on his favorite pieces and their significance will resonate for anyone who has had an arresting moment of pause in a museum they didn't quite have words for.
I listened to the audiobook, which is usually my preferences for memoirs/personal accounts, though Bringley's narration had a bit of a stilted quality to it at times, and didn't always sound natural. His website has links to the pieces he mentions so you can look them up later, which is something to keep in mind if having that type of visual reference is important to you.
This is by no means a comprehensive accounting of the museum, so if you're looking for something akin to a walking tour, this may not be the book for you. Nor does it fully grapple with the complicated legacy of places like the Met and the ways in which they acquire their treasures. But overall, Bringley's musings on his favorite pieces and their significance will resonate for anyone who has had an arresting moment of pause in a museum they didn't quite have words for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Death
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
informative
reflective
slow-paced
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced