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A review by kaylo88
Nostalgia: A History of a Dangerous Emotion by Agnes Arnold-Forster
informative
slow-paced
3.25
This was an interesting read. However, there were times when it became overly repetitive, which took away some of the excitement. Although a few aspects of the book were really fascinating, it was written in a dry manner, making it seem more like an academic paper. This isn't a negative aspect of the book, but it wasn't what I was expecting when I picked it up to read.
One of the most intriguing things I learned from the book was about how nostalgia was considered an illness that had the potential to kill people in the past. I had never heard of such a concept before, and it certainly left me with a lot to think about and because it was well referenced through I can read more about this as and when I wish.
What I especially appreciated about the book was its well-balanced approach. For instance, in the chapter that talked about politics, the author was able to demonstrate how both sides of the political spectrum use nostalgia as a way of attracting voters. This made the book all the more engaging and thought-provoking.
Overall, worth a read although it didn't captive me in the way I thought it would, which is probably down more to my expectations than the authors writing.
*Thank you to the author, publishers and Netgalley for the ARC of this book. This is my honest review.*
One of the most intriguing things I learned from the book was about how nostalgia was considered an illness that had the potential to kill people in the past. I had never heard of such a concept before, and it certainly left me with a lot to think about and because it was well referenced through I can read more about this as and when I wish.
What I especially appreciated about the book was its well-balanced approach. For instance, in the chapter that talked about politics, the author was able to demonstrate how both sides of the political spectrum use nostalgia as a way of attracting voters. This made the book all the more engaging and thought-provoking.
Overall, worth a read although it didn't captive me in the way I thought it would, which is probably down more to my expectations than the authors writing.
*Thank you to the author, publishers and Netgalley for the ARC of this book. This is my honest review.*