When it comes to travel writing, it doesn’t get much better than Alain De Botton’s The Art of Travel. The French philosopher’s meditation on the travel experience was an instant bestseller upon publication. Since then the books has remained firmly ensconced as a classic work that every adventure seeker needs on their shelf.
The Art of Travel is a leisurely but profound exploration of what seeing the world truly takes. Botton points out that while nearly everybody has within them the dream to travel, for many it can become an incredible disappointment. The wanderlust fantasy is replaced by a drudgery of airports and connecting trains, and the very culture you wished to experience becomes only a source of frustration.
Drawing from the experiences of famous wanderers like Van Gogh, Wordsworth and Flaubert, Botton takes us on a journey to illuminate all the facets of travelling- the good, the bad and the ugly.
In doing so, Botton helps the reader to understand the true meaning of travel, its importance and how to value all of our experiences. His writing is rhythmic and poignant and his arguments register deeply inside. This is the book every traveller needs to read.
Praise: “Lucid, fluid, uplifting…it can enrich and improve your life”
About the author: Alain de Botton is the author of bestselling books including The Consolations of Philosophy, The Art of Travel, How Proust Can Change Your Life and Essays in Love. His work has been published in twenty-five countries. Born in 1969, he lives in London, where he helped set up the School of Life.
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