Varieties of Melancholy

This is a book that celebrates the most neglected but valuable emotion we can feel: melancholy. Melancholy isn't depression or anger or bitterness, it's a serene, accepting, gentle, wise and kindly response to the difficulties and occasional misery of being alive. It steers an ideal mid-way course between despair on the one hand and naive optimism on the other.

But melancholy is a well-kept secret. Those who feel the pull of melancholy moods tend to stay quiet about their tastes. We don't often hear melancholy being celebrated or accorded the respect that it deserves. Melancholy languishes unexplored in a hyper-competitive, noisy, frantic age.

And yet the emotion heartily deserves exploration, it is one that leads to reflection and thoughtfulness. This book carefully collects and interprets a selection of the most universally recognisable melancholy states of mind, and thereby renders us less confused by our precious yet elusive feelings. We hear, among other things, about the melancholy of Sunday evenings and the melancholy of adolescence, the melancholy of high summer and the melancholy of crushes.

This book offers a varied portrait of melancholy and its range of emotions, leading the reader to both insight and self-compassion.

“ What readers are saying: "A insightful guide into the melancholic state of mind. It details the various types of melancholy as well as the different states of mind. It was such an interesting read and look into melancholy. Filled with artwork, photos, and explanations, and just a really great consoling guide." - NetGalley review "Finally! An incredibly well written book that celebrates the most neglected but valuable emotion we can feel: melancholy." - NetGalley review "An amazing self help book ... if you are not a melancholic in nature you will still connect to the book as at some point of time in your life you have felt the emotions of melancholy." - NetGalley review”

What readers are saying:

"A insightful guide into the melancholic state of mind. It details the various types of melancholy as well as the different states of mind. It was such an interesting read and look into melancholy. Filled with artwork, photos, and explanations, and just a really great consoling guide." - NetGalley review

"Finally! An incredibly well written book that celebrates the most neglected but valuable emotion we can feel: melancholy." - NetGalley review

"An amazing self help book ... if you are not a melancholic in nature you will still connect to the book as at some point of time in your life you have felt the emotions of melancholy." - NetGalley review

The School of Life is a global organisation helping people lead more fulfilled lives. Through our range of books, gifts and stationery we aim to prompt more thoughtful natures and help everyone to find fulfilment.

The School of Life Press brings together the thinking and ideas of the School of Life creative team under the direction of series editor, Alain de Botton. Their books share a coherent, curated message that speaks with one voice: calm, reassuring and sane.

This is a book that celebrates the most neglected but valuable emotion we can feel: melancholy. Melancholy isn't depression or anger or bitterness, it's a serene, accepting, gentle, wise and kindly response to the difficulties and occasional misery of being alive. It steers an ideal mid-way course between despair on the one hand and naive optimism on the other.But melancholy is a well-kept secret. Those who feel the pull of melancholy moods tend to stay quiet about their tastes. We don't often hear melancholy being celebrated or accorded the respect that it deserves. Melancholy languishes unexplored in a hyper-competitive, noisy, frantic age.And yet the emotion heartily deserves exploration, it is one that leads to reflection and thoughtfulness. This book carefully collects and interprets a selection of the most universally recognisable melancholy states of mind, and thereby renders us less confused by our precious yet elusive feelings. We hear, among other things, about the melancholy of Sunday evenings and the melancholy of adolescence, the melancholy of high summer and the melancholy of crushes.This book offers a varied portrait of melancholy and its range of emotions, leading the reader to both insight and self-compassion.

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