I loved The Consolations of Philosophy and for a brief while thought I should seek the high-minded consolations of philosphy more often (or maybe I just need Alain de Botton to be my in-house philosopher). Instead, my consolations tend to be a lot more low-brow: warm, juicy strawberries from the garden, Wimbledon on the television. another cherry and marzipan cake, a good book, some crochet, and my poorly foot up on a chair (it's beginning to heal - thanks for your good wishes - and today I went to see the doctor so won't be waking up in the night wondering if I've got tetanus).
Much as I like the philosophical idea and title of de Botton's book, I think the furthest I could ever go in a similar vein would be The Consolations of Crochet (mmm, not a bad title, and I can see an interesting series in there...)
How confused I was to see Edmund de Waal as the author of this book for I have only known him as a potter, it sounds fascinating.
Delighted to hear you are free from Tetanus.
Posted by: Rebecca | June 30, 2010 at 20:16
I adored that book; when I was finishing my PhD and it became clear I wasn't going to get an academic position anywhere, I was absolutely grieving. I read that book, and the Nietzsche chapter of all things (if I'm remembering correctly) just turned it around for me. I was not to go sour grapes; instead, I was to mourn, for it was a loss. I was not to say "oh, I decided I wanted to get the hell out of academia" I was to mourn. It really did console me. :)
Posted by: lori | June 30, 2010 at 21:16
How about the Consolations of Cake for after all the crochet?
Posted by: Carie | June 30, 2010 at 22:00
Beautiful hollyhocks. I wish mine would stop being eaten by bugs and grow.
Good luck with your foot! (and the crochet)
Posted by: Leila | June 30, 2010 at 23:20
I've been enjoying your blog, and ordering many books based on your recommendations, so I suppose it's time to stop lurking and comment! Hope your foot is better soon. Keep reading, I feel I'm a direct beneficiary of your literary explorations!
Posted by: Lyn | July 01, 2010 at 00:59
Crochet! yes, it is the best companion, quiet, engaging, and can bring so much beauty into your world. Hope you continue to heal well.
Posted by: Margot K of VA | July 01, 2010 at 02:28
Glad to hear that your foot is healing though I disagree with your consolations being low-brow. I think the 'Consolations of Crochet, Cherry Cake, Chocolate and Cary Grant' would make a wonderful self-help book. I could see it being a best-seller.
Posted by: Gill | July 01, 2010 at 11:51
Hobbling on one foot certainly has no effect on your eye for beauty. Continue to heal, love your consolation arsenal.
Posted by: kathe kramer | July 01, 2010 at 13:05
Such a relief to not have to have worries about tetanus.
I have not read this book, but the consolation idea reminds me of a phrase a friend of mine uses: "compensatory blessings" - she urges me to look for those moments of serendipity sent my way when other things are lacking. It is a good practice and has helped me to be more content.
Posted by: Margo | July 02, 2010 at 22:01
I love de Botton's work too, but the idea of finding consolations in other life-giving pursuits -- cake, tea, crochet -- is not inimicable to the philosophical way of thinking that that book supports; one gets a lot of thinking done playing around with yarn, after all, and we are embodied beings who need more than just abstract thought to be happy: y'know, touch, taste, smell, warmth!
Posted by: Fionnuala | July 05, 2010 at 11:32
I love how you find patterns in "real" life and enclose them in your photos. It's so comforting, isn't it? Especially when life can seem so chaotic.
I would absolutely read a book titled The Consolations of Crochet.
Posted by: Rainy Daisy | July 05, 2010 at 19:12
would you please post a photo of more of this embroidery? i am looking for inspiration for a summer tablecloth. what stitch are the hollyhocks?
Posted by: Diane | July 07, 2010 at 18:41
I love this book and all his other works too. I met De Botton at a book signing and stood in line with 'Status Anxiety' to have it signed. I tried to think of something to say to him, something intelligent, witty perhaps, but not trying too hard. What to say to a modern day philosopher?
I went with simplicity.
He signed my book, I smiled and said "Thank you".
Then thought of a million things to say in the aftermath.
Perhaps you could have mentioned the consolations of crochet?
:)
Posted by: Christina | July 09, 2010 at 12:32