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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
In the secular world, money seems to drive value. In the Christian world, good works seem to drive value.
In both, it seems, as people we are prone to try and earn worth.
Money and good works aren’t of and in themselves bad, and I’m all for a good success story. But sometimes I need to hear “small” success stories and All the Beauty in the World was just that.
After his brother’s death, Patrick Bringley, a man with a successful corporate job, longs to get out of the rat race and pursue healing so he takes a position as a guard at the Mets. Here he finds his place of healing among the solitude and beauty of the slow savory life of guarding art.
Note—There is some language present in this book.
Some favorite quotes:
“I think that sometimes we need permission to stop and adore, and a work of art grants us that.”
“We want possession, something to put in our pocket, so to speak, and carry away. Except what if nothing very beautiful fits in our pocket, and only the tiniest sliver of what we see or experience can be possessed?”
“Grief is among other things a loss of rhythm.”
“I believe we take art seriously when we try to discern what, at close quarters, it reveals.”
“We all know how difficult it is to get really good at anything, what hard work is required and how much effort lurks behind the appearance of effortlessness.”
In both, it seems, as people we are prone to try and earn worth.
Money and good works aren’t of and in themselves bad, and I’m all for a good success story. But sometimes I need to hear “small” success stories and All the Beauty in the World was just that.
After his brother’s death, Patrick Bringley, a man with a successful corporate job, longs to get out of the rat race and pursue healing so he takes a position as a guard at the Mets. Here he finds his place of healing among the solitude and beauty of the slow savory life of guarding art.
Note—There is some language present in this book.
Some favorite quotes:
“I think that sometimes we need permission to stop and adore, and a work of art grants us that.”
“We want possession, something to put in our pocket, so to speak, and carry away. Except what if nothing very beautiful fits in our pocket, and only the tiniest sliver of what we see or experience can be possessed?”
“Grief is among other things a loss of rhythm.”
“I believe we take art seriously when we try to discern what, at close quarters, it reveals.”
“We all know how difficult it is to get really good at anything, what hard work is required and how much effort lurks behind the appearance of effortlessness.”
emotional
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Beautiful and moving. Will leave you sobbing with him in grief for his brother, and in quiet awe of the humanity contained in each artifact. Absolutely recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
I loved this book. Bringley’s passion for his work at the Met is totally infectious. He originally took the job to cope with grief, ended up staying ten years, and turned the experience into a beautiful bestseller.
Having worked as a security guard myself, I know how tough and mind-numbingly slow those shifts can be. But Bringley transforms the job into a quiet, heartfelt love letter to the Met and its treasures. I genuinely enjoyed every moment spent wandering the galleries with him.
If you’re thinking of reading this book, I highly recommend the e-book version—it has links to the artworks he writes about, which makes the whole experience even richer.
Having worked as a security guard myself, I know how tough and mind-numbingly slow those shifts can be. But Bringley transforms the job into a quiet, heartfelt love letter to the Met and its treasures. I genuinely enjoyed every moment spent wandering the galleries with him.
If you’re thinking of reading this book, I highly recommend the e-book version—it has links to the artworks he writes about, which makes the whole experience even richer.
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
informative
reflective
slow-paced
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
I loved this book. Well-written memories of a unique job.
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced