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Reviews
Travels with Epicurus: A Journey to a Greek Island in Search of a Fulfilled Life by Daniel Klein
me_haugen's review against another edition
5.0
Read this one while I was waiting for the dust to settle. We were back at the quarry blowing up boulders to see if they were secretly big geodes again. Being a traveling geode salesman used to be a nice little cottage industry. You'd go to someone's cottage and go "that's a mighty empty shelf you got there." And then you wouldn't even have to break the geode open cause people want to do it themselves. Huge savings on labor. But now, no one has to wait for a visit from the geode man anymore, they can just go out to any old cave gift shop and get as many as they want. And it's not enough for crystals to be inside a rock anymore, is it? They all have to have special powers and stuff. No, I don't know what my geode crystals can do, I'm a rock salesman, not a wizard. Anyway, the old geodes just weren't doing it anymore so we bought an old abandoned quarry and went all-in on the giant geode thing. We didn't find any geodes though, just a bunch of big stupid bones that we threw in the trash. If you can't be smart enough to bury your freaky tall grandpa in a cemetery, it's not my job to do it for you. This book was good.
eclectictales's review against another edition
4.0
I was fortunate to have been approved a galley copy of this book.
The focus of this book is very much the notion of old age and how to approach life at that point. I enjoyed how the author used both philosophy and his experience living in that Greek community to exemplify his search and understanding of old age and how to live a fulfilling life at that age. He also touches on the subject of old age in our society, the attitude towards it, etc. as a contrast to what the philosophers say about it and his search for fulfillment.
While brief and perhaps a little simplistic–would’ve loved to have read more about the author’s time living in Greece–Travels with Epicurus is a pretty straightforward read in reflecting and ruminating about old age and how to approach life at that age.
My complete review of the novel was originally posted at eclectictales.com: http://www.eclectictales.com/blog/2013/04/19/review-travels-with-epicurus/
The focus of this book is very much the notion of old age and how to approach life at that point. I enjoyed how the author used both philosophy and his experience living in that Greek community to exemplify his search and understanding of old age and how to live a fulfilling life at that age. He also touches on the subject of old age in our society, the attitude towards it, etc. as a contrast to what the philosophers say about it and his search for fulfillment.
While brief and perhaps a little simplistic–would’ve loved to have read more about the author’s time living in Greece–Travels with Epicurus is a pretty straightforward read in reflecting and ruminating about old age and how to approach life at that age.
My complete review of the novel was originally posted at eclectictales.com: http://www.eclectictales.com/blog/2013/04/19/review-travels-with-epicurus/
jamesvw's review against another edition
4.0
A quick read, though beautifully paced to draw a young reader to a slower, more thoughtful reading. As with all of his work, Danny (who is admittedly a personal friend) brings a rich personal voice to his explorations and I can't help but be swept into his contemplations and bring in my own inner reflection to the reading experience. Quite lovely, it also makes me want to travel to Greece.
relf's review against another edition
3.0
A tasty little meditation on aging, from an aging writer sojourning on a Greek island and contemplating the words of various philosophers on the topic. I agree with the author that aging offers satisfactions and pleasures not available at other times of life--especially time to spend with family and friends. A book well timed for me as to both my stage in life and a planned trip to the Greek islands.
odyssia's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
4.0
Contains some interesting musings, with the main point being that old age (not old old, as he keeps pointing out) presents a unique stage of life with various opportunities.
Loses points for being quite male-centric, especially on page 2 where he talks about a 'handsome old man' and goes on to talk about the 'raw beauty' of an old man's face and ignores other genders and takes no issue with an old man objectifying a 19-year-old woman.
Loses points for being quite male-centric, especially on page 2 where he talks about a 'handsome old man' and goes on to talk about the 'raw beauty' of an old man's face and ignores other genders and takes no issue with an old man objectifying a 19-year-old woman.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Dementia
Minor: Terminal illness and Medical content
bronkmb's review against another edition
4.0
a philosophical glance at aging thru the eyes of a sentigenarian while vacationing in Greece. A trip he booked rather than getting dentures / dental implants. Short but meandering, meant to be read slowly. For those who'd like to shake the "forever young" mantle.
hienneih's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0