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In Praise of Laziness and Other Essays
A cross between a collection of philosophical investigations and idle banter, In Praise of Laziness and Other Essays, is a celebration of what Milan Kundera defined as ‘ the active form of refusing to take the world seriously’. From an Erasmian encomium to laziness, a literary forensic report on the adult years of Sukumar Ray’s Pagla Dashu and Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn, the joys of staying indoors, to the exquisite pleasures of an electric blanket—and with a science fiction story on colonisation bunged in—this book is the equivalent of a meandering river in which the reader dips his or her toes in, not knowing whether a dolphin will come by or a piranha take a snap. This is a book that’s equal parts serious as well as frivolous, except you never quite know which parts are which.
137 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 19, 2023
5 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 21, 2025
⭐️⭐️½
"Laziness is the purest form of freedom. It's an effect of happiness."
Highlights: Wordplay
Another book which was picked for its cover and title, for an author I wanted to taste via smaller works.
All of the essays were a hit or a miss. Loved the title essay, which challenges the modern concept of "productivity". Being a lazy snob, this appealed most to my heart.
Another lovely essay was on Adulthood. Contemplative on what would have happened when famous literary characters became adults - like Huckleberry Finn, or more relatable, Pagla Dashu from Sukumar Ray featuring Satyajit Ray's imaginative illustration!
Many other essays were lost to me. I'm sure it would be more enticing to Bengali audience. Or someone who is an author, relishing the art of writing intelligent and witty words.
Loved:
The concept. Inframe illustrations. Kudos to Simon and Schuster for top notch publication quality.
Overall:
In spite of missing the crux of many essays, it was fun to see how the words were intelligently constructed.
Would love reading more from him.
"Laziness is the purest form of freedom. It's an effect of happiness."
Highlights: Wordplay
Another book which was picked for its cover and title, for an author I wanted to taste via smaller works.
All of the essays were a hit or a miss. Loved the title essay, which challenges the modern concept of "productivity". Being a lazy snob, this appealed most to my heart.
Another lovely essay was on Adulthood. Contemplative on what would have happened when famous literary characters became adults - like Huckleberry Finn, or more relatable, Pagla Dashu from Sukumar Ray featuring Satyajit Ray's imaginative illustration!
Many other essays were lost to me. I'm sure it would be more enticing to Bengali audience. Or someone who is an author, relishing the art of writing intelligent and witty words.
Loved:
The concept. Inframe illustrations. Kudos to Simon and Schuster for top notch publication quality.
Overall:
In spite of missing the crux of many essays, it was fun to see how the words were intelligently constructed.
Would love reading more from him.
August 20, 2025
Rarely do I get to read creative non-fiction from Indian writers. T'was rather fun.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews