The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work

book review: The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work by Alain de Botton

The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work by Alain de Botton is a unique exploration of the intricacies of various workplaces—a topic that is frequently discussed yet seldom chosen for a book. With his signature blend of philosophical insights and wit, de Botton takes readers on a journey through a diverse array of jobs, all seen through his discerning perspective.

Society has conditioned us to believe we should find happiness through our jobs. This book reflects on work in its many forms, combining humor with deeper questions about its significance. De Botton engages with various workers, highlighting how our society depends on countless skilled individuals in often-overlooked positions. Many of us remain largely unaware of the complex systems that support us in our modern existence. Ultimately, the book functions primarily as a collection of his reflections on a topic that everyone can relate to.

Overall, I found much of what Alain de Botton said to be relatable, but at the same time, it felt frighteningly distant. His words described lives that were very different from my own. While they didn’t inspire me to embark on a long hike to admire telephone lines or to hunker down and invent a product that the world didn’t even know it wanted, it was comforting to know that such people existed. This book served to reinforce the fact that I have no idea what other people do with their lives. It also reminded me that I sometimes wonder…

In all honesty, watching this Monty Python video is the visual equivalent of reading this book. It’s not unusual for Alain de Botton to sound exactly like this in my head and the subject of this video would have made for a perfectly readable chapter:

Although this wasn’t his strongest work, I found his stories engaging enough that I read this book all the way through.

My books Memory Road Trip (e-book or paperback) and Time Traveled (e-book or paperback) are both available! You can also find them at most major international book sites.