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brodeheim's review against another edition
5.0
I'm fluent in English now, but growing up, whenever I don't get a book, I would assume my comprehension was lacking (as it often was the case). Now thanks to Bakewell, I've learnt that Montaigne is just this meandering writer and I wasn't the one who lost it. After enjoying Bakewell's incredible recounting of his life and the "canal of minds" that fed from his work, I would sum up Montaigne's philosophy as "I'm just a dude." Which is to be honest pretty refreshing.
kiri_johnston's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
spinnerroweok's review against another edition
3.0
This is a biography of Montaigne focused on his essays and philosophy. More interesting than I expected. Probably not for everyone.
kemuenz's review against another edition
5.0
A sparkling and beautiful account - an amazing biography of an amazing man.
jdhobbes's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
katmackie's review against another edition
4.0
Comprehensive and dense, but in a flourless chocolate cake kind of way. This is a fascinating and somehow fun read through the life and times (and beyond) of the writer, accidental philosopher, and “First modern man” Montaigne.
Dare you question my use of the word fun? Let’s play a game of two truths and a lie: Montaigne edition, and I’ll show you why:
1) Montaigne’s father believed it was unhealthy to wake up children abruptly, so he hired a musician to soothe him awake every morning.
2) His first language was Latin, even though neither of his parents spoke the language.
3) He freely admitted to having a small penis (in the sixteenth century).
If you actually guessed something, you’re wrong because each fact is true. And there’s much more to be discovered. Fun!
I was most captivated by the chapters on his interest in Hellenistic philosophy - I could have read dozens more. Less interesting to me were the bits on the drama surrounding editions of his Essays after his death. Centuries of people have found joy and disdain through his writing, and they continue to today. Sarah Bakewell paints a vivid and inspiring portrait of one of the most influential writers to walk the earth. Oh, and he was a cat person.
Dare you question my use of the word fun? Let’s play a game of two truths and a lie: Montaigne edition, and I’ll show you why:
1) Montaigne’s father believed it was unhealthy to wake up children abruptly, so he hired a musician to soothe him awake every morning.
2) His first language was Latin, even though neither of his parents spoke the language.
3) He freely admitted to having a small penis (in the sixteenth century).
If you actually guessed something, you’re wrong because each fact is true. And there’s much more to be discovered. Fun!
I was most captivated by the chapters on his interest in Hellenistic philosophy - I could have read dozens more. Less interesting to me were the bits on the drama surrounding editions of his Essays after his death. Centuries of people have found joy and disdain through his writing, and they continue to today. Sarah Bakewell paints a vivid and inspiring portrait of one of the most influential writers to walk the earth. Oh, and he was a cat person.
photopoppy's review against another edition
5.0
This was a fabulous read. I tried to postpone reading it until I'd finished Montaigne's essays, and I'm very glad that I didn't. Bakewell provides a lot of backstory and history and context - things that a contemporary Montaigne reader would know, but we, 400 years later, don't have access to off the tops of our heads. Now I'm ready to jump in and start Montaigne over with a better understanding of the world he lived in.