A concept that really speaks to me - that of lingering over a few pages about various small daily pleasures. However, I agree with Adèle: often it is a bit too old/French and thus far from my reality to "relate".
It's interesting how certain ideas can seem so appealing on the surface, but upon closer inspection, they don't quite resonate with our own experiences. In this case, the concept of focusing on the little joys of everyday life sounds wonderful. But the way it is presented, perhaps in a more traditional or French context, makes it feel a bit distant.
Maybe it's because our modern lives are so different, filled with technology and a fast-paced rhythm. What might have been considered a small pleasure in the past may not hold the same significance for us today. Or perhaps it's a matter of personal taste and cultural background. While I can appreciate the beauty and simplicity of the idea, it just doesn't quite fit into my own world view.
Lovely, visceral description of some of life’s small, treasurable moments. As a non-native speaker, I find the verbiage to be both effective and warm.
It is truly a delight to encounter such a vivid and engaging portrayal of the simple joys in life. The author has a remarkable ability to capture those fleeting instants that often go unnoticed but hold such significance. Each description is filled with a sense of authenticity and emotion that makes it easy for the reader to connect and relate.
The use of language is particularly impressive. Despite not being a native speaker, the author has managed to create a text that is both effective and warm. The choice of words and the way they are arranged bring the scenes to life, painting a beautiful picture in the reader's mind. It is a testament to the power of language and the ability of anyone, regardless of their native tongue, to express themselves in a meaningful way.
“Inviting a surprise, we feel good, free, light. With the black cat of the house cuddled on the knees, we feel adopted. Life stops - it is left to invite a surprise.”
This is a small book composed of several stories in which the author Philippe Delerm focuses on moments of daily life that often pass unnoticed and that instead should be enjoyed in all their fullness. Delerm recalls pleasant memories capable of exciting and making the reader also stop on the described sensations, inevitably ending up sharing the same pleasure. These are moments that almost surely we have all lived and that we still remember for the feeling of well-being that they have transmitted to us: the grandpa's multi-purpose knife, the plate of pastries on Sunday, the smell of apples, the fun of shelling peas, going for blackberries at the end of summer, the surprise invitation to a friend's house, going to the movies, the first sip of beer that cannot be equaled by the subsequent ones... and many others. It is a book that can be read in a short time but that must be savored, as the prose is refined, the language is rich in metaphors and sometimes poetic. A book that has the power to take us back in time and accompany the succession of the seasons slowly, contrasting the frenzy to which our society has accustomed us...
This is quite possibly the best book I've ever had the pleasure of reading. It is a remarkable collection of short essays that beautifully captures the essence of the fleeting pleasures in life. As I delved into its pages, I found myself gradually slowing down, taking the time to truly savor and enjoy each moment. The words within this book have a magical quality that not only touches the heart but also ignites the creative spark within me. It makes me yearn to pick up a pen and express my own thoughts and feelings through writing. In conclusion, I cannot emphasize enough how much this book has affected me. Once again, I say with absolute certainty that this is quite possibly the best book I've ever read.