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Consolations
- Author
- Irene Vallejo
- Narrator
- Beth Eyre
- Publisher
- Hodder & Stoughton
- Publish Date
- 23 April 2026
- Run Time
- 6 hours 13 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
What to expect
'Wonderful. Thoughtfully chosen, carefully explained and beautifully expressed' NATALIE HAYNES
'A literary phenomenon' TLS
'She leaves her readers inspired, invigorated and sincerely grateful' TELEGRAPH
Why do some loves endure while others fade? Is happiness something we can learn? Why do some things feel like work and others like leisure?
Every new page of Consolations offers a thought-provoking idea about life - from friendship and family arguments to ageing and narcissism. Renowned classicist Irene Vallejo shows us how each of these ideas has its roots in ancient times, drawing on the wisdom of Aristotle and Seneca, as well as lesser known philosophy and history.
Each entry brings a surprising insight, and helps us to think differently about our daily life. These are fascinating little gems to read every day, and to savour slowly.
Critics Review
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'A combination of surprise,wisdom and humour... Like a leisurely conversation over coffee, Consolations tackles all manner of subjects with cultivated intelligence, good humour and a general sense of ease. The mundane is given as much space as the momentous; money is repeatedly said to matter little; happiness involves wishing to be who we are; and who we are emerges from multifarious relationships held in balance.
TLS
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'Wonderful. Thoughtfully chosen, carefully explained and beautifully expressed'
NATALIE HAYNES
-
'[Vallejo] leaves her readers inspired, invigorated and sincerely grateful'
TELEGRAPH
-
'She is imaginative, lively and contemporary. In her hands written texts are not only a sensual pleasure, but living and frequently disruptive'
THE ECONOMIST
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'A literary phenomenon'
TLS
User Reviews
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Details
- Author
- Irene Vallejo
- Narrator
- Beth Eyre
- Duration
- 6 hours 13 minutes
- Release Date
- 23 April 2026
- ISBN
- 9781399745680
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Hodder & Stoughton
- Genre
- Ancient history, Literature: history and criticism
Synopsis
UPLIFTING, PRACTICAL AND SURPRISING WISDOM FROM THE MILLION-COPY BESTSELLING CLASSICIST'Wonderful. Thoughtfully chosen, carefully explained and beautifully expressed' NATALIE HAYNES'A literary phenomenon' TLS'She leaves her readers inspired, invigorated and sincerely grateful' TELEGRAPHWhy do some loves endure while others fade? Is happiness something we can learn? Why do some things feel like work and others like leisure?Every new page of Consolations offers a thought-provoking idea about life - from friendship and family arguments to ageing and narcissism. Renowned classicist Irene Vallejo shows us how each of these ideas has its roots in ancient times, drawing on the wisdom of Aristotle and Seneca, as well as lesser known philosophy and history. Each entry brings a surprising insight, and helps us to think differently about our daily life. These are fascinating little gems to read every day, and to savour slowly.
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