
The Art of the Wasted Day Book by Patricia Hampl
By Patricia HamplThe Art of the Wasted Day Book by Patricia Hampl
A spirited inquiry into the lost value of leisure and daydream
The Art of the Wasted Day is a picaresque travelogue of leisure written from a lifelong enchantment with solitude. Patricia Hampl visits the homes of historic exemplars of ease who made repose a goal, even an art form. She begins with two celebrated eighteenth-century Irish ladies who ran off to live a life of "retirement" in rural Wales. Her search then leads to Moravia to consider the monk-geneticist, Gregor Mendel, and finally to Bordeaux for Michel Montaigne—the hero of this book—who retreated from court life to sit in his chateau tower and write about whatever passed through his mind, thus inventing the personal essay.
Hampl's own life winds through these pilgrimages, from childhood days lazing under a neighbor's beechnut tree, to a fascination with monastic life, and then to love—and the loss of that love which forms this book's silver thread of inquiry. Finally, a remembered journey down the Mississippi near home in an old cabin cruiser with her husband turns out, after all her international quests, to be the great adventure of her life.
The real job of being human, Hampl finds, is getting lost in thought, something only leisure can provide. The Art of the Wasted Day is a compelling celebration of the purpose and appeal of letting go.
Book details
- Hardcover
- 288 pages
- English
- 0525429646
- 9780525429647
About Patricia Hampl
patricia hampl is the author of six prose works, including a romantic education and, most recently, the florist's daughter. her work has appeared in many p Read More about Patricia Hampl
More Books By Patricia Hampl
People who bought this also bought
The Pioneer Woman : Black heels to Tractor Wheels: A love Story book by Ree Drummond
Used Book
My Ever Dear Daughter, My Own Dear Mother: Correspondence of Julia Stone Towne and Mary Julia Towne, 1868-82
Used Book
Chicken Soup for the Parent's Soul: 101 Stories of Loving, Learning and Parenting book by Jack Canfield
Used Book
How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be book by Katy Milkman
New Book
Psychotherapy and Process: The Fundamentals of an Existential-Humanistic Approach
Used Book
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry book by Neil deGrasse Tyson
New Book
Jesus, Entrepreneur: Using Ancient Wisdom to Launch and Live Your Dreams book by Laurie Beth Jones
New Book
The South Beach Diet : The Delicious, Doctor-Designed, Foolproof Plan for Fast and Healthy Weight Loss
Used Book
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Answered Prayers: 101 Stories of Hope, Miracles, Faith, Divine Intervention, and the Power of Prayer book by Jack Canfield
New Book
Running on Empty: Overcome Your Childhood Emotional Neglect book by Jonice Webb
New Book
Maximizing Your Potential: Exposing the hidden you book by Myles Munroe
New Book
Solitude: A Singular Life in a Crowded World book by Michael Harris
New Book
Eat Right for Your Type : The Individualized Diet Solution to Staying Healthy, Living Longer and Achieving You Ideal Weight
New Book
The holocaust;: From a survivor of Verdun book by William Hermanns
Used Book
21 Jump-Start Devotional : Getting Started on Your Incredible Christian Life!
Used Book
What They Can't Teach You at Harvard Business School book by Mark H. McCormack
New Book
The Obstacle is the Way : The Ancient Art of Turning Adversity to Advantage
New Book
Trading in the Zone: Master the Market with Confidence, Discipline and a Winning Attitude book by Mark Douglas
New Book
Repositioning Asia : From Bubble to Sustainable Economy Book by Philip Kotler
Used Book
Be Different: Adventures of a Free-Range Aspergian book by John Elder Robison
Used Book