The Book of Idle Pleasures

I thought this was going to be dire but I found myself agreeing with the authors, idling away, flat on my back looking at the stars, skimming stones and chasing butterflies. As for dressing gowns and slippers - no thank you.

I was given her copy of this book, as a Christmas present from a very close but also very distant friend with whom I share much. It is not one I would have bought myself, but now that I have it, refer to it often; have bought her another copy and we have even inserted our own observations which we share.

This is a book for a by-gone age, reminiscent of The Dangerous Book for Boys. This, Book of Idle Pleasures, like TDB4B. indulges in some of those past-times once common, now no longer seem to be so; whittling wood, lighting fires and climbing trees to name but three. Other occupations like doodling, catching falling leaves and skimming stones are celebrated for the sheer luxury of just doing not very much, The book makes much of even show more more indolent activities such as day dreaming, taking a nap and just having a bath.

It's a book for the hassled, time poor, rat-race ruled workaholic that shows there is an alternative and that some of the best things in life really are free. It promotes the simpler things that do not involve electrically operated gadgets or expense.

There are a few lovely vignettes like "Taking a walk with a Toddler" that throw a completely new light on what could otherwise be an irksome experience. The book is a worthy read to just dip into and realise that there are pleasures, idle pleasures, just for their own sake, that make living a more restorative experience. show less

I borrowed this book from my local library, then left it on the coffee table without looking at it for nearly 2 weeks, perhaps an Idle Pleasure in itself! When I did pick it up to have a look, I read it from cover to cover in one sitting. It's a sinful delight to read, and I was pleased to find that I already, unwittingly indulge, in many of these Idle Pleasures.

Here we have a collection of little prose pieces from The Idler, all in praise of (you guessed it) idleness. The reader is encouraged to lie in bed, lie on the grass, soak in the tub, stroll, sing, yawn, take the time to learn the names of trees, and generally not be such a Puritan tight-ass. A good message, a corrective for our accelerating age...though one marvels that the writers of The Idler managed to work up the momentum necessary to assemble a book.

A cute little book, though some of the suggestions can be maddening in their 'tweeness'. However, the best thing about this book is that it reminds the reader that taking pleasure in simple things is a joy we can all partake in, often with no training, equipment or effort.