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The Book of Delights
The life-affirming New York Times bestseller
Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.
Check link for latest rating. ( 20,446 ratings, 3,515 reviews)
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Format: Paperback / softback
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See moreThe New York Times bestselling essay collection about finding delight every day of your life
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Description
'Pure balm for your soul. Savor one at a time every morning, this summer, or wolf them all down en masse on a gorgeous sunny day.' CELESTE NG, author of Little Fires EverywhereA heart-warming and joyful collection of short lyric essays, reminding us of the purpose and pleasure of praising, extolling, and celebrating ordinary wonders.Among Gay's funny and philosophical delights: a friend's unabashed use of air quotes, cradling a tomato seedling aboard an aeroplane, the silent nod of acknowledgement between the only two black people in a room. Gay never dismisses the complexities, even the terrors, of living in the world as a black man, or the ecological and psychic violence of our consumer culture, or the loss of those we loves. But more than anything, Gay celebrates the beauty of the natural world - his garden, the flowers peeking out of the sidewalk, the hypnotic movements of a praying mantis.The Book of Delights is about our shared bonds, and the rewards that come from a life closely observed. and serves as a powerful and necessary reminder that we can, and should, stake out a space in our lives for delight.'These charming, digressive "essayettes" surprise and challenge more than a reader might expect . . . experiences of "delight," recorded daily for a year, vary widely but yield revealing patterns through insights about everything from nature and the body to race and masculinity.' New Yorker'The delights he extols here (music, laughter, generosity, poetry, lots of nature) are bulwarks against casual cruelties . . . contagious in their joy' New York Times'A reminder of what the personal essay is best at: finding the profound in the mundane . . . His delight is infectious. It's hard to read Gay and not to be won over.' Seattle Times
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
The Book of Delights by Ross Gay receives high praise for its collection of charming and digressive essays that evoke joy and serve as a poignant counter to life's challenges. Critics appreciate Gay's ability to turn everyday occurrences like gardening, laughter, and simple greetings into profound reflections on race, masculinity, and human connection. His prose is seen as both magical and carefully crafted, offering a contagious optimism that is both essential and uplifting. Gay's essays are recommended for their warmth and sincerity, encouraging readers to find joy in the small, often-overlooked moments of life.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781529349771
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 08 September 2020
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Coronet Books
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 22.0mm
Width: 130.0mm
Height: 196.0mm
Weight: 203g
Pages: 288
About the Author
Ross Gay is the author of The Book of Delights, a genre-defying book of essays, and three books of poetry: Against Which, Bringing the Shovel Down, and Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude. He is also the co-author, with Aimee Nezhukumatathil, of the chapbook "Lace and Pyrite: Letters from Two Gardens," in addition to being co-author, with Richard Wehrenberg, Jr., of the chapbook, "River." He is a founding editor, with Karissa Chen and Patrick Rosal, of the online sports magazine Some Call it Ballin', in addition to being an editor with the chapbook presses Q Avenue and Ledge Mule Press. Ross is a founding board member of the Bloomington Community Orchard, a non-profit, free-fruit-for-all food justice and joy project. He has received fellowships from Cave Canem, the Bread Loaf Writer's Conference, and the Guggenheim Foundation. Ross teaches at Indiana University.
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