About book Travels With Epicurus: A Journey To A Greek Island In Search Of A Fulfilled Life (2012)
Full disclosure: I was chosen a First Reads winner, and received a paperback copy of Travels With Epicurus by Daniel Klein in the mail. That in no way influenced the review that follows. When seventy-odd-year-old Daniel Klein's dentist wants to outfit him with tooth implants instead of a lower plate, Klein realizes that he would much prefer to visit the Greek island of Hydra, "accompanied" by the philosopher Epicurus. His hope is that he will experience and enjoy life as it is only accessible to those in its later stages.I was expecting this to be somewhat of a travelog, but it's more a philosophy book. Klein's humor is of the wry variety, often witty. Several times his philosophical writing is almost meditative in nature.Klein certainly has found a way to express his optimism about aging and to point us in the direction of living and aging well. Somehow, the book just didn't speak to me. It did make me reflect on some things (e.g., the rush to do everything and not take life slowly, the importance of friends, and moderation in all things). But I'd expected more Epicurus and his teachings. Instead, Daniel Klein incorporates other philosophies, which would have been fine if there had been a comparison between those philosophies and Epicurean philosophy, but there wasn't. I also didn't quite like the style of the writing (found it a bit meandering and skipped a number of pages) but that's just a preference.
Do You like book Travels With Epicurus: A Journey To A Greek Island In Search Of A Fulfilled Life (2012)?
Parts interesting... I guess it would be more enjoyable and interesting at a later age.
—livsii
Boring book I will try to finish before my book club meets, but maybe not.
—vasu
