The Age of Absurdity

Why Modern Life Makes It Hard to Be Happy

De: Michael Foley

Narrado por: John O'Mahony

The good news is that the great thinkers from history have proposed the same strategies for happiness and fulfilment. The bad news is that these turn out to be the very things most discouraged by contemporary culture. This knotty dilemma is the subject of The Age of Absurdity - a wry and accessible investigation into how the desirable states of well-being and satisfaction are constantly undermined by modern life.

Michael Foley examines the elusive condition of happiness common to philosophy, spiritual teachings and contemporary psychology, then shows how these are becoming increasingly difficult to apply in a world of high expectations. The common challenges of earning a living, maintaining a relationship and ageing are becoming battlegrounds of existential angst and self-loathing in a culture that demands conspicuous consumption, high-octane partnerships and perpetual youth.

In conclusion, rather than denouncing and rejecting the age, Foley presents an entertaining strategy of not just accepting but embracing today's world - finding happiness in its absurdity.

Cover credit: The Caravan Gallery.

©2011 Michael Foley (P)2016 Audible, Ltd

Excellent pessimistic take on modernity

While at times I found the constant criticism of modern life to sound a bit like whining or unfair, after thinking about the points a little more, I found if taken by themselves they express in distinct brevity the heart of what really is the trapping of the topic at hand. I also found the occasional example to be misleading with a type of brief Google search research that is done by most laypeople. With those criticisms of the book out of the way, I found the book to be exactly what I needed and wanted; an all encompassing work on what's wrong with modern culture. While the author seems to be from Ireland, I found that this did not hinder his work being relevant for Americans.

A few tidbits here and there, but primarily an old man's rant

If you come away with anything from this book, it should be that "the striving for happiness is itself the happiness." There are several variations on the theme repeated around the book. But unfortunately, most of it just comes across as an older guy passing snarky, sarcastic judgment on some of society's newer trends. In particular, his obvious derision for people who derive pleasure from video games is cringe-inducing.
In many examples, he brings up ridiculous strawmen and then dutifully crushes them as he attempts to point out the "absurdity" of modern life. But I doubt many of the likely readers of this book has ever fallen to some of the depths that he uses as examples.
I'm not sure whether I should praise or damn Audible for using an Irish narrator to read an Irish author's book, but it is Mr. O'Mahony's reading which gives this title all of its dripping sarcasm, whether or not that was the original author's intent.

Funny, on point and cranky

The narration is top notch and the subject matter is compelling and presented in a quite humorous fashion. I do feel like some concepts were over simplified to allow for a more cohesive narrative, but that is forgivable given the depth of the subject matter.

ok boomer

Has some interesting content and studies cited, but mostly comes across as smug and condescending. Criticizes video games, cell phones, people who seek mental health diagnoses, and most other things people make “okay boomer” jokes about.

Derivative work made worse by court jester narration

This is a flippant review of other more serious work on happiness, meaning and philosophy. Maybe it’s the narrator. Very disappointing as there are many better options for the same material.