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bboduffy's review against another edition
3.0
While discussing potential projects for one of my Hilary term classes, I mentioned curiosity about how people grapple with certain themes (imposter syndrome + social class + academic capital of attending Oxford) in social media self-expression. Grant recommended I read Bourdieu (I was unable to slog through Distinction but I read a couple of relevant articles), Veblen, and this book.
Bobo's in Paradise wasn't directly related to my paper so I didn't finish it until well after the class was over but reading it was definitely an experience. Though written with the clinical tone of an anthropologist's account, it is deeply satirical and cynical. Eventually, I'll sync my kindle to share illustrative clippings. Imagine [b:Watching the English: The Hidden Rules of English Behaviour|288448|Watching the English The Hidden Rules of English Behaviour|Kate Fox|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327350810l/288448._SY75_.jpg|279864] from Dorothy Parker's perspective (if she lived in the 1990s).
While not exactly me, the descriptions/ethos of Bobos (Bourgeoise Bohemians) were not unlike me either. The conflicted feelings around our consumerist culture and values of learning/experiences in the information age definitely resonated. While our engagement was announced on Buzzfeed (vs. the NYT) and while we don't have generational wealth, we have collected degrees from Notre Dame, Yale, NYU, and (hopefully) Oxford. I also tend to oscillate between acute self-consciousness and naive obliviousness at intervals similar to Brooks' Bobo caricature. So yeah, it highlighted the ridiculousness of my class anxiety here given the tremendous opportunities that have allowed me to get here in the first place.
Bobo's in Paradise wasn't directly related to my paper so I didn't finish it until well after the class was over but reading it was definitely an experience. Though written with the clinical tone of an anthropologist's account, it is deeply satirical and cynical. Eventually, I'll sync my kindle to share illustrative clippings. Imagine [b:Watching the English: The Hidden Rules of English Behaviour|288448|Watching the English The Hidden Rules of English Behaviour|Kate Fox|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327350810l/288448._SY75_.jpg|279864] from Dorothy Parker's perspective (if she lived in the 1990s).
While not exactly me, the descriptions/ethos of Bobos (Bourgeoise Bohemians) were not unlike me either. The conflicted feelings around our consumerist culture and values of learning/experiences in the information age definitely resonated. While our engagement was announced on Buzzfeed (vs. the NYT) and while we don't have generational wealth, we have collected degrees from Notre Dame, Yale, NYU, and (hopefully) Oxford. I also tend to oscillate between acute self-consciousness and naive obliviousness at intervals similar to Brooks' Bobo caricature. So yeah, it highlighted the ridiculousness of my class anxiety here given the tremendous opportunities that have allowed me to get here in the first place.
kate_dydak's review against another edition
challenging
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
anniefox's review against another edition
4.0
Even though this book about The New Upper Class and How They Got There was published in 2000 (BISM - Before the Internet and Social Media) it's still a worthwhile read. David Brooks (yes, the same guy whose weekly analysis we crave on PBS' News Hour segment Shield and Brooks) is so intelligent, insightful and funny I could read his social analysis of some long-ago time in some other country and still feel I was learning something. And let's not forget that this guy is a really strong writer! If you're interested in the formation of national trends and personal and class standards of morality and behavior, in other words "How come we are this way?" then this book might be for you.
wah38's review against another edition
4.0
A book-length version of a think piece, but one that never ceases to be hilarious and poignant. This book contains everything that you always thought about the ridiculous excesses of upper-middle class (mostly white) people but either didn't want to say or didn't realize you thought until it was pointed out.
austinstorm's review against another edition
Pop anthropology books, like their counterparts in history and economics, contain fun ideas dramatically overextended. Not sure how helpful this really is. Not a satire, not a third way, not that insightful. Will appeal to conservatives who get frustrated with NPR.
settingshadow's review against another edition
3.0
The most notable thing about this book is that it clearly is built from a series of articles strung together into a central hypothesis. There isn't terrific flow between the chapters -- the voice, style, and the goal of each chapter is highly variable and it really undermines the idea that the book is supposed to be an expose of a central social thesis.
That being said, the book is enjoyable -- there are many funny parts (although non quite as funny as Brooks seem to think) and many insightful parts. I particularly enjoyed the introduction about education, and the sections on vacations and spirituality. In contrast, the parts on business and academia were dull, repetitive and highly exaggerated.
That being said, the book is enjoyable -- there are many funny parts (although non quite as funny as Brooks seem to think) and many insightful parts. I particularly enjoyed the introduction about education, and the sections on vacations and spirituality. In contrast, the parts on business and academia were dull, repetitive and highly exaggerated.
miketheboy89's review
2.0
half of it reads like a stand-up act that is admittedly funny at times while the other half is pretentious cultural analysis from a limited perspective
termith's review against another edition
4.0
Хорошая книга о новом поколении интеллектуалов. Автор проводит тщательное исследование всех аспектов жизни современного представителя БоБо (богемной буржуазии), начиная от потребления и заканчивая политикой и верой.
Каждая глава, по сути, выражает одну и ту же мысль - бобо смогли интегрировать в себе основные черты буржуазии первой половины 20 века и интеллектуалов второй. Мораль и свобод от правил, приверженность сообществам и индивидуализм. Иногда это дает серьезные преимущества (например в бизнесе), иногда же не приводит ни к чему хорошему (как в духовной жизни).
Местами очень смешно, местами следует остановиться и узнав себя ю, подумать.
На мой взгляд идеальная книга для бобо :)
Каждая глава, по сути, выражает одну и ту же мысль - бобо смогли интегрировать в себе основные черты буржуазии первой половины 20 века и интеллектуалов второй. Мораль и свобод от правил, приверженность сообществам и индивидуализм. Иногда это дает серьезные преимущества (например в бизнесе), иногда же не приводит ни к чему хорошему (как в духовной жизни).
Местами очень смешно, местами следует остановиться и узнав себя ю, подумать.
На мой взгляд идеальная книга для бобо :)
martha_w's review against another edition
3.0
There were definitely interesting parts of this book, particularly when Brooks is specifically addressing the melding of Bohemian and Bourgeois ideas. Parts are definitely dated (not surprising, since the book is 12 years old), but it was interesting to try to apply his ideas to the last 12 years. You can certainly see some continuation of those ideas, but also some big responses.