About this title: Wilson argues that melancholia is necessary to any thriving culture; that it is the muse of great literature, painting, music, and innovation; and that it is the force underlying original insights. He reveals that its time to throw off the shackles of positivity and relish the blues that make us human.
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Description: Very good. Book has appearance of light use with no easily noticeable wear. Millions of satisfied customers and climbing. Thriftbooks is the name you can trust, guaranteed. Spend Less. Read More. read more
Description: Good. Former Library book. Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. Shipped to over one million happy customers. Your purchase benefits world literacy! read more
Edition: 1st edition
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Date Published: 2009-01-20
ISBN-13:9780374531669ISBN:0374531668
Description: Like New. May be shiny, in some instances dust jackets are not included, no missing pages, no damage to binding, may have a remainder mark. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Date Published: 2008
ISBN-13:9780374240660ISBN:0374240663
Description: Good. Used item may show library stamps, stickers and marks. Buy with confidence-your satisfaction is guaranteed at B-Logistics! Due to the large scale of our operation, we do not have access to the specific contents/condition of our items. Please note that Expedited shipping is not available at this time. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
ISBN-13:9780374240660ISBN:0374240663
Description: Good. 0374240663 Former library item may have library binding and show stamps, stickers or other marks. Items not meeting quality expectations may be returned. Due to the large scale of our operation, we do not have access to the specific contents/condition of our items. read more
Edition: 1st edition
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Date Published: 1/20/2009
ISBN-13:9780374531669ISBN:0374531668
Description: New. 0374531668 Brand New Book With Remainder Mark. May Have Slight Shelf Wear. In-Stock Now For Immediate Secure Packaging & Delivery. read more
In this candid and unconventional book, English professor and humanist Eric G. Wilson positions himself as melancholy's champion. He does everything but wave gloomy pom-poms as he extols its role in creativity and invention. As counterintuitive and loopy as his view may seem, Wilson makes a strong, lucid case for feeling glum. Indeed, reading Wilson's book may inspire you trade in your grin for a wholehearted frown. If you seek a change from the deluge of cheery self-help tomes, or if you want to expand your outlook, then step out of the sunshine and into the shadows with this iconoclastic book. Although Wilson sometimes rambles or digresses in making his argument, getAbstract finds that his book thoughtfully affirms the power of negative thinking."
"Didn't love this, but am inclined to think that is more my fault than the author's; not sure. The prose did not seem well organized, and I was put off by the author's constant "us-them" positioning (where "us" refers to the melancholy types and "them" refers to the happy types). Had trouble concentrating on it but I started to come round toward the end.
"Insights, we realize, are like coats for the celeritous seasons; they are good only for a brief time. We are always searching for a new garment appropriate to the moment." (85)
"Chase away the demons, and they will take the angels with them" -Joni Mitchell (99)
"Creating doesn't make us unhappy; unhappiness makes us creative." (106)
"...Melancholia, far from a mere disease or weakness of will, is an almost miraculous invitation to transcend the banal status quo and imagine the untapped possibilities for existence." (145)
"Of course not all innovators are melancholy, and not all melancholy souls are innovative." (148)"
"I didn't go into reading this book with high expectations, more like curiousity as to what the author had to say, but it was definitely a pleasant surprise. In fact i related to much of what the author had to say, and agreed that the impermanence of some of the most amazing sights and experiences helps us to appreciate them more. Wanting to live in a state of constent happiness and without disappointment is unrealistic and contrary to the ebb and flow of the rest of the universe. As unpleasant as depressive periods and melancholy states may be at the time they are a wonderful fuel to a creative fire,and the embrace of those moods offer a sort of bittersweet solace."
"Here's a book that I where I basically agree with the premise and couldn't stand the author's delivery on that premise. The idea of the book is that Americans are obsessed with the idea of becoming happy. That happiness is our right and our goal and if we aren't happy not only is something terribly wrong but we must do something to fix it right now. Great! Our addiction to self-help and instant gratification has been unmasked! It was basically an unreadable rant against the woes of modern society like yoga, malls, health and dieting, delivered with the sort of I've been there so I know what it's like pompousness that could make even a televangelist or motivational speaker blush. Now, I didn't finish the book, so perhaps it turned a corner in the third chapter, but needless to say, I did not like it."
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