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Status Anxiety by Alain De Botton

11 replies

TheDevilWearsPrimark · 16/02/2009 08:53

Has anyone read this?

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EachPeachPearMum · 16/02/2009 09:05

nope, but sounds interesting- let me know when you've finished, and give me a precis!
(2 week old newb in this house....)

Maria2007 · 16/02/2009 09:06

I've read other things by de Botton...they're usually good, easy reads. Haven't read this particular one though.

TheDevilWearsPrimark · 16/02/2009 09:08

This is amazons synopsis

'We all worry about what others think of us. We all long to succeed and fear failure. We all suffer ? to a greater or lesser degree, usually privately and with embarrassment ? from status anxiety. For the first time, Alain de Botton gives a name to this universal condition and sets out to investigate both its origins and possible solutions. He looks at history, philosophy, economics, art and politics ? and reveals the many ingenious ways that great minds have overcome their worries. The result is a book that is not only entertaining and thought-provoking ? but genuinely wise and helpful as well. '

I started it when I went to bed last night and ended up getting halfway through it (bags under eyes this morning!) It's so interesting, I wish I had an adult around I could talk about it with.

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TheDevilWearsPrimark · 16/02/2009 09:10

This is a feel-good book for anyone who thinks a bit about society and their place in it. Alain de Boton is like an incredibly well-read and eloquent participant in a discussion taking place in your head, confirming and developing so many thoughts and ideas that you've always had but are unlikely to have had the chance to ever analyse properly

I agree with this reviewer. He doesn't go into great detail about the issues, rather allows you to form the thoughts and then think about them yourself.

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EachPeachPearMum · 16/02/2009 09:11

He is quite urbane, so I'm sure it reads well- sounds interesting from the synopsis too.
I don't think I'm someone who suffers from this though- I imagine someone who does would get more out of it.

TheDevilWearsPrimark · 17/02/2009 23:24

I finished it and no, it's not about having the anxiety, in fact if you read it you'd realise you do have it.

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EachPeachPearMum · 18/02/2009 00:46

Do I? How could you know that?- seriously TDWP?
You know nothing about me- what makes you think I care anything for what others think of me...etc ?

expatinscotland · 18/02/2009 00:47

Oh, god, NO.

I had this ex bf who was abusive who was all into Botton and it put me right off.

Sorry.

expatinscotland · 18/02/2009 00:53

feck, this ex was such a dicksmack i swear i feel sorry for alain he put me so off.

TheDevilWearsPrimark · 18/02/2009 00:56

EachPeachPearMum I didn't mean anything personal, I think what he says can relate to everyone.

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EachPeachPearMum · 18/02/2009 05:38

Ah, sorry- was misunderstanding (tired!)

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