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The Seeker and the Sage
How Stoic principles can help us navigate the challenges of our divided, unstable world. Can the principles of Stoicism lead us to a peaceful, 'good' life?
We are all going to die, so how do we live?
A traumatised journalist is given a dream assignment - track down the mayor of a remote and mysterious town whose citizens are reported to be the happiest people on earth.
Journeying into a harsh and inhospitable landscape, she overcomes many obstacles before arriving in Silver Springs, the place whose citizens live according to the ancient philosophy of Stoicism and where she has been granted three days to interview the mayor.
The journalist wants to know how to live a good life and be a good person when she returns to the chaos outside the valley. The mayor wants to protect his dominion from being tainted by the modern world.
In her bestseller, Reasons Not to Worry, Brigid Delaney explores the foundations of Stoicism and how you can apply them to your life. Now, in The Seeker and The Sage, she how can the wisdom of this ancient philosophy apply to communities, and how can we create our own utopias in an increasingly troubled world.
We are all going to die, so how do we live?
A traumatised journalist is given a dream assignment - track down the mayor of a remote and mysterious town whose citizens are reported to be the happiest people on earth.
Journeying into a harsh and inhospitable landscape, she overcomes many obstacles before arriving in Silver Springs, the place whose citizens live according to the ancient philosophy of Stoicism and where she has been granted three days to interview the mayor.
The journalist wants to know how to live a good life and be a good person when she returns to the chaos outside the valley. The mayor wants to protect his dominion from being tainted by the modern world.
In her bestseller, Reasons Not to Worry, Brigid Delaney explores the foundations of Stoicism and how you can apply them to your life. Now, in The Seeker and The Sage, she how can the wisdom of this ancient philosophy apply to communities, and how can we create our own utopias in an increasingly troubled world.
386 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 2025
About the author
Brigid Delaney
6 books71 followersBrigid Delaney is the author of Wellmania, This Restless Life, Wild Things and a book explaining Stoic philosophy – Reasons Not to Worry.
She has worked as a columnist and journalist for Guardian Australia, and is currently a speechwriter for a federal Minister.
She has worked as a columnist and journalist for Guardian Australia, and is currently a speechwriter for a federal Minister.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
November 7, 2025
I thought I was borrowing a novel.
It turns out, it is a book about stoicism, which I've been meaning to read more on anyway, so I guess it was meant to be? :-)
One of the quintessential stoic principles is that our own actions, thoughts, and reactions are within our control, while also reiterating that you can never control others.
There's a whole lot about accepting what is, about logic and so on.
Stoicism does preach moderation in everything. Is anyone moderate in all aspects of their lives? Could we all do with less binge-watching, doom scrolling, drinking, numbing ourselves with this or that? Absolutely!
Some of the ethos and principles seem good and worthwhile or something to aspire to.
At times, I felt that to embody a stoic, one would become dispassionate and/or passive and too much like a robot. But that could be my fiery and reactive personality fighting against the calm and the measured?
Anyway, this gave me some food for thought. One could definitely benefit from most, if not all, stoic principles.
It turns out, it is a book about stoicism, which I've been meaning to read more on anyway, so I guess it was meant to be? :-)
One of the quintessential stoic principles is that our own actions, thoughts, and reactions are within our control, while also reiterating that you can never control others.
There's a whole lot about accepting what is, about logic and so on.
Stoicism does preach moderation in everything. Is anyone moderate in all aspects of their lives? Could we all do with less binge-watching, doom scrolling, drinking, numbing ourselves with this or that? Absolutely!
Some of the ethos and principles seem good and worthwhile or something to aspire to.
At times, I felt that to embody a stoic, one would become dispassionate and/or passive and too much like a robot. But that could be my fiery and reactive personality fighting against the calm and the measured?
Anyway, this gave me some food for thought. One could definitely benefit from most, if not all, stoic principles.
December 9, 2025
It’s honestly such a shame that this is fiction, and not particularly great fiction. Stoicism is so cool, I really wanted to enjoy this!
February 25, 2026
Great concept. Terrible execution.
June 18, 2026
I loved The Seeker and the Sage by Brigid Delaney. A fictional story of a traumatised journalist on her dream assignment to interview the mysterious Mayor of a remote Stoic community called Silver Springs. It's a truly enlightening look at how Stoic philosophy can be applied to modern life, blending wisdom, reflection, and practical insights in a way that feels both relevant and inspiring. A thought-provoking read that left me looking at everyday challenges with greater perspective and calm.
Read by Ten
Read by Ten
February 7, 2026
i got to page 148 but this book does not feel rewarding to read in the slightest
the interview style of conversation is great (but kind of exhausting), and the concept of the book was interesting (i did enjoy the “journey” segment). the rest of it is just such a slog to get through
the narrator is genuinely so insufferable, but there’s no reason for her to be that way. she’s a journalist who has done research on vulnerable topics, including interviewing people living in circumstances that largely contrast her own background. yet, when talking to the mayor, she acts insanely privileged and cannot FATHOM the idea that people live without luxury items and the internet. she even references her childhood, saying she was cautious of her mother’s short temper. if that’s how she grew up, why is she so isolated in her privileged bubble????
also, her journey doesn’t really hold up to what it sounded like the journey was supposed to be. like, the descriptions are limited and sometimes vague, it just makes the journey seem mildly inconvenient rather than the grand venture it was meant to be. and when she arrives at the town, there’s no descriptions of the town itself, the architecture or scenery (outside of some comments on the vegetation), and she talks to no one except the mayor and his daughter. it seems so unrealistic
perhaps these issues were addressed later in the book, but i can’t be bothered reading on
the interview style of conversation is great (but kind of exhausting), and the concept of the book was interesting (i did enjoy the “journey” segment). the rest of it is just such a slog to get through
the narrator is genuinely so insufferable, but there’s no reason for her to be that way. she’s a journalist who has done research on vulnerable topics, including interviewing people living in circumstances that largely contrast her own background. yet, when talking to the mayor, she acts insanely privileged and cannot FATHOM the idea that people live without luxury items and the internet. she even references her childhood, saying she was cautious of her mother’s short temper. if that’s how she grew up, why is she so isolated in her privileged bubble????
also, her journey doesn’t really hold up to what it sounded like the journey was supposed to be. like, the descriptions are limited and sometimes vague, it just makes the journey seem mildly inconvenient rather than the grand venture it was meant to be. and when she arrives at the town, there’s no descriptions of the town itself, the architecture or scenery (outside of some comments on the vegetation), and she talks to no one except the mayor and his daughter. it seems so unrealistic
perhaps these issues were addressed later in the book, but i can’t be bothered reading on
November 15, 2025
I really enjoyed Reasons not to worry, which made this read especially hard.
This is probably the worst book I’ve read this year, but not the worst ever. It’s a classic case of a phenomenal nonfiction writer struggling with fiction. The plot is uninspired and turgid, and none of the characters act or speak like real people. The themes and ideas have the grace and subtlety of a brick to the face.
That being said, Delaney is still a great writer and her imagery is great. I personally blame her editors/publishers for not doing a better job supporting her, and I’d read future non fiction from her.
This is probably the worst book I’ve read this year, but not the worst ever. It’s a classic case of a phenomenal nonfiction writer struggling with fiction. The plot is uninspired and turgid, and none of the characters act or speak like real people. The themes and ideas have the grace and subtlety of a brick to the face.
That being said, Delaney is still a great writer and her imagery is great. I personally blame her editors/publishers for not doing a better job supporting her, and I’d read future non fiction from her.
May 24, 2026
Do NOT buy this book. It is the latest in a long line of woefully written modern books on Stoicism, half of which have been written by Ryan Holiday; at least he, despite his lazy writing, understands something about Stoicism.
If you want to read an introductory book on Stoicism, read Donald Robertson or William Irvine.
The seeker, a journalist who survives getting shot in the head, travels to an extremely isolated town with no internet to speak with its Stoic mayor who wants to live in obscurity and avoids the media.
To give you a flavour of the conversation, here is a snippet from near the beginning:
JOURNALIST: I’m interested in happiness. This is what is see this book is about.
I consulted a list of questions in my notebook.
Is the overall happiness higher here? Is quality of life good? What can you teach us that might make our society more successful? Do you eat special foods? Have an unusual diet? Eat many ultra-processed foods? What are your top tips for success?
---No journalist who is not a complete moron would ask those questions one after another without giving your man a moment to reply. It gets worse.
What I was thinking with this piece is something along the lines of A Sage's Guide to Happiness'—or some content like that. Accompanied perhaps by a six-part podcast about happiness hacks from the happiest mayor in the world. And if I can fix my phone here, we can film some shorts for Instagram reels or TikTok. Is there anyone here with high-quality camera equipment? We could film the interviews to go on YouTube.
---Seriously. She’s in a backwater with no internet and she’s asking whether anyone has high-quality camera equipment. A few pages later…
MAYOR: You know... don't blame a shitty upbringing for your shitty behaviour.
Whoa. That was a line I could use if I was writing a Bad Guru piece. It could get him cancelled.
---Firstly, is that how one would expect a Stoic sage to speak? Secondly, she’s going to get him cancelled??? This man who lives in a town in the middle of nowhere and is actively avoiding attention. That was the last sentence that I read. It’s too ridiculous. Complete waste of money.
If you want to read an introductory book on Stoicism, read Donald Robertson or William Irvine.
The seeker, a journalist who survives getting shot in the head, travels to an extremely isolated town with no internet to speak with its Stoic mayor who wants to live in obscurity and avoids the media.
To give you a flavour of the conversation, here is a snippet from near the beginning:
JOURNALIST: I’m interested in happiness. This is what is see this book is about.
I consulted a list of questions in my notebook.
Is the overall happiness higher here? Is quality of life good? What can you teach us that might make our society more successful? Do you eat special foods? Have an unusual diet? Eat many ultra-processed foods? What are your top tips for success?
---No journalist who is not a complete moron would ask those questions one after another without giving your man a moment to reply. It gets worse.
What I was thinking with this piece is something along the lines of A Sage's Guide to Happiness'—or some content like that. Accompanied perhaps by a six-part podcast about happiness hacks from the happiest mayor in the world. And if I can fix my phone here, we can film some shorts for Instagram reels or TikTok. Is there anyone here with high-quality camera equipment? We could film the interviews to go on YouTube.
---Seriously. She’s in a backwater with no internet and she’s asking whether anyone has high-quality camera equipment. A few pages later…
MAYOR: You know... don't blame a shitty upbringing for your shitty behaviour.
Whoa. That was a line I could use if I was writing a Bad Guru piece. It could get him cancelled.
---Firstly, is that how one would expect a Stoic sage to speak? Secondly, she’s going to get him cancelled??? This man who lives in a town in the middle of nowhere and is actively avoiding attention. That was the last sentence that I read. It’s too ridiculous. Complete waste of money.
January 5, 2026
I really wanted to appreciate this book, I think the dialogue format is great, and the fictional narrative is interesting. Unfortunately it's very clumsily executed, and I believe the examples of the protagonist's 'from where I'm from' comments are mostly inept at best, and downright harmful at worst.
I was willing to continue for the very brief pearls where things came together, but then I arrived at an abrupt stop when the protagonist and the 'stoic mayor's character conflate 'worrying' with serious illnesses such as major depression, as well as conflating 'lack of focus' with neurodiversity; as though taking pharmaceutical medications such as antidepressants or central nervous stimulants (respectively) is a recreational choice and an ineffective crutch for all humans. It is irresponsible to be spreading this type of misinformation that amplifies mental illness and neurodiversity stigma.
While there may currently be issues of prescribing pharmaceutical medications for people who don't need them, I request that if there are any future editions of this book, someone with the capacity to effectively revise it to remove this harmful content which trivialises and misrepresents serious mental health conditions and neurodiversity.
This stark reviewing oversight has me questioning the research and integrity of what I understand is meant to be the non-fiction components of this book. Until it's revised, the entire thing would best be considered fiction, including the fictional characters' interpretations of stoicism.
I was willing to continue for the very brief pearls where things came together, but then I arrived at an abrupt stop when the protagonist and the 'stoic mayor's character conflate 'worrying' with serious illnesses such as major depression, as well as conflating 'lack of focus' with neurodiversity; as though taking pharmaceutical medications such as antidepressants or central nervous stimulants (respectively) is a recreational choice and an ineffective crutch for all humans. It is irresponsible to be spreading this type of misinformation that amplifies mental illness and neurodiversity stigma.
While there may currently be issues of prescribing pharmaceutical medications for people who don't need them, I request that if there are any future editions of this book, someone with the capacity to effectively revise it to remove this harmful content which trivialises and misrepresents serious mental health conditions and neurodiversity.
This stark reviewing oversight has me questioning the research and integrity of what I understand is meant to be the non-fiction components of this book. Until it's revised, the entire thing would best be considered fiction, including the fictional characters' interpretations of stoicism.
December 13, 2025
Nonfiction? Huh? A fictional story about a woman who goes through a traumatic event and heads off to an imaginary place?
I wanted to read more about stoicism. This is not the book.
Started off reading thinking - OMG - and realised a few paragraphs in, hey, this story isn't REAL. So I found trying to relate to an unreal character in an unreal event going to an invented city....mmmm...hard to relate to.
I felt like I'd been duped, non-fiction???
Could have used a better device to have these conversations.
I was so put off I couldn't continue, whatever value the conversations with the 'sage' (only named Mayor) might have. (Mayor? Called that to imply some authority?)
Yeah, I totally missed the point.
I wanted to read more about stoicism. This is not the book.
Started off reading thinking - OMG - and realised a few paragraphs in, hey, this story isn't REAL. So I found trying to relate to an unreal character in an unreal event going to an invented city....mmmm...hard to relate to.
I felt like I'd been duped, non-fiction???
Could have used a better device to have these conversations.
I was so put off I couldn't continue, whatever value the conversations with the 'sage' (only named Mayor) might have. (Mayor? Called that to imply some authority?)
Yeah, I totally missed the point.
October 1, 2025
A highly immersive read, crafted in an interview style and layered with reflective internal dialogue from our MFC as she wrestles with aligning her life experiences to each stoic lesson she debates with the Major.
This novel offers a deep and assessing look of how fully we are—or aren’t—living our lives to the fullest capacity, and how practicing a stoic philosophy can simplify our lives and enrich community spirit to help us all enjoy the preciousness of living in the NOW.
“We are all going to die, so how do we live?”
I really enjoyed this novel and had to re read again once at the end for a second interpretive perspective. Loved it!
This novel offers a deep and assessing look of how fully we are—or aren’t—living our lives to the fullest capacity, and how practicing a stoic philosophy can simplify our lives and enrich community spirit to help us all enjoy the preciousness of living in the NOW.
“We are all going to die, so how do we live?”
I really enjoyed this novel and had to re read again once at the end for a second interpretive perspective. Loved it!
December 16, 2025
Loves this book.
I find the easiest books to read are when they are presented in this conversational like format. I think it's the easiest way for me to digest the information.
I actually went through the whole way until the last few pages thinking this was based on the authors true story and experience. So when it was revealed to be metaphoric and the place of the story is likely not to exist, it was a real twist for me.
I also am in to stoicism and so this was a perfect book for me. I will likely read again at some point.
I find the easiest books to read are when they are presented in this conversational like format. I think it's the easiest way for me to digest the information.
I actually went through the whole way until the last few pages thinking this was based on the authors true story and experience. So when it was revealed to be metaphoric and the place of the story is likely not to exist, it was a real twist for me.
I also am in to stoicism and so this was a perfect book for me. I will likely read again at some point.
June 29, 2026
This is the fictional story of a journalist who visits a small town in Asia. Once there she meets the town mayor and learns about the ancient philosophy of Stoicism. This is done over several days as she spends time interviewing the mayor.
I think you will enjoy and understand this book more if you know a little about Stoicism. Fundamentally the story is about the core principles of Stoicism and how they can be applied to a modern world with modern problems.
Overall, the book was ok, but it was far too long. A lot of things were repeated several times and did not need to be.
I think you will enjoy and understand this book more if you know a little about Stoicism. Fundamentally the story is about the core principles of Stoicism and how they can be applied to a modern world with modern problems.
Overall, the book was ok, but it was far too long. A lot of things were repeated several times and did not need to be.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2026
Neat book which is told in a fiction fashion about a girl who is shot at the start of the story. The story then cuts to a journey into Burma with a Philosophy 101 course taught to her. The narrative is a little weird and you can tell something is up in the stooryline and that things don't make sense. That only really comes together in the last 10 pages of the book.
I enjoyed it but much preferred Brigit's first book "Reasons not to worry".
This is an easy read though and very light.
I enjoyed it but much preferred Brigit's first book "Reasons not to worry".
This is an easy read though and very light.
April 22, 2026
I have read a few Brigid Delaney books and always enjoy her Guardian articles, so I was pleased to hear she had released another book. I had no idea this was a fiction book, so I was confused when listening to the first chapter. [Note to others: the fiction story is a medium for explaining the nature of stoicism.] I appreciated the approach, even if it felt a bit clunky at times. Overall I enjoyed 'Reasons Not to Worry' a lot more, but I was happy to have a stoicism refresher with this book.
October 3, 2025
This is an amazing book, cleverly crafted. I found it hard to put down, and the dialogue is so good. I found the stoic arguments easy to follow and the two main characters’ discussions on stoicism were clear and vigorous. Two good people from different positions talking about a better life and a life better lived. The ending shocked me, I didn’t see that coming. Highly recommended.
October 25, 2025
Brilliant. The blending of fiction and philosophy was so well done. Exploring stoic philosophy can sometimes feel dense and inaccessible yet the writer manages to make these ancient philosophies so compelling and relevant to the times in which we live. I wasn’t sure how this book would end, but it was perfection.
January 7, 2026
As a journalist, this book made me happy. It scratched an itch. The ending I didn't see coming, but the whole lot taught me so much. Now time to go back through and highlight my favourite quotes. Good entry point into stoicism.
March 22, 2026
This is a novel not a non fiction book on stoicism. It’s not a particularly engaging story or main character. It’s pretty obvious from the start of her journey it’s not happening in the real world. It still gets 3 stars because every now and then there’s a good pearl of stoic wisdom.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2026
This book unfortunately was so bad. It would have been better done as a short non fiction book. The writing was so bad and I am disappointed because I feel the author does have some important points hidden in the book
May 9, 2026
Very disappointed. Found the first part gratuitous and unnecessary and couldn’t get into the travelogue/ interview style of the rest. Don’t know what the hype is about. Hoping the next book by the same author which I have ordered from the library, is more enjoyable ..
August 8, 2026
A great idea with a stoic philosophy discussion buried in a fiction.
I thought well executed.
An enjoyable accessible page turning read, containing a lot to digest and leaving me wanting to read a more on the subject.
I thought well executed.
An enjoyable accessible page turning read, containing a lot to digest and leaving me wanting to read a more on the subject.
October 30, 2025
75% of this was absolutely gold and a pleasure to read. The final 25% had the smell of an editor adding final polish to keep the word down and the romance +1 added.
audiobooks
November 15, 2025no
November 17, 2025
Once you get your head around the premise, I think it’s a great introduction to the principles of stoic philosophy.
January 3, 2026
I'm not very familiar with Stoicism but found this book really accessible, engaging and it has given me plenty of food for thought.
January 4, 2026
First book club book for 2026 - an interesting read
January 14, 2026
Not great
April 8, 2026
Started out as an adventure, and ended up being a philosophy lecture. Not for me.
Did Not Finish
April 9, 2026i am neither a seeker nor a sage - DNF at 15 pages bc I know my heart and it is not this book.
April 18, 2026
Fictional read based around the learnings of stoicism, the ending took me by surprise but provided the largest lesson overall.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews