Tom Hodgkinson - Idler/How to be Free

[niceglasses]

Read How to be Free by Tom Hodgkinson and was quite frankly impressed. Anyone else read it?

Anyone think he is a fraud?

[MyEye]

I liked it, the bits I read (DH's copy).

Esp approved of the the stuff about staring down consumerism. Just letting those cravings settle, then they dwindle and die.

[UnquietDad]

Fraud in what way? he secretly works very hard? I imagine he has a nest-egg to fall back on.

[MuminBrum]

Massive trust fund, actually.

[MuminBrum]

On a similar subject, anyone see Sheherezade Goldsmith's effusions on leading a greener life? Apparently we should all keep geese - all they need is a small grazing area and access to running water, which we all have in our gardens, don't we?

[niceglasses]

Yeah suppose bit suspicious of the 'We rent out our house in London and moved to a (rented) cottage in Devon' - blah blah. Wondering how achievable all is etc, but am I being consumerist cycnic? Later read of him and partner out in London whilst nanny looked after kids - which is A okay but in book he lambasts childcare of this ilk.

Anyway, maybe to be picked and chosen, but had some good bits.

[Bouquetsofdynomite]

He does remind me a little of Bertie Wooster grown up with an adoring doormat wife instead of Jeeves.