What things look like is important, isn’t it? Most humans make decisions, big and small, on an emotional level and visuals matter. This book has a donkey on the cover and a quirky title, so I was sold.
Written by an Australian author with a philosophy degree, it’s refreshing to read with its Aussie references and language. In the present times, many folk are upset that they are not feeling upbeat, successful, living the dream. This book does not solve those problems, but it does make a good case for feeling OK about being unhappy or just plain ordinary. Set out in 24 short chapters (all of which have song titles), with many references to modern and ancient history and the history of Western thought, it is a learning experience, as well as humorous.
Present-day life is all-consuming, so it is worth being apprised or reminded of how our forebears lived and worked without the modern conveniences, conditions and medical interventions many of us enjoy today. One only has to think about dentistry to make one happier to be alive now rather than a century ago. In the later chapters, capitalism and consumerism are discussed, but many more words could have been written on just these two topics. This is an entertaining and informative book written for the layperson, which may encourage some to delve deeper into the classics – well worth doing, if so inclined.
This book is available for loan from Oberon Library
Lyndle Hawkes
