The Monocle Book of Gentle Living review

The Monocle Book of Gentle Living: A Guide to Slowing Down, Enjoying More and Being Happy

Thames & Hudson

For anyone remotely into the cosmos that is Monocle, its style and the lane it has carved for itself along with the immense influence it is having on both people and therefore modern life, it must be difficult to fathom that it took until now for a book to be released on its imprint that explicitly focuses on the central tenets of its DNA.

In essence, the new Monocle Guide is centred around the idea of reconnection, mindfulness, meaningfulness while discovering new places and meeting remarkable people along the way: A handbook much needed in these crazy times we live in, where generosity, hospitality and forgiveness seem to be given no priorities at all and at times seem to have become completely forgotten qualities.

What I find astonishing with books like these is that even if the subject matter is fairly easy to comprehend and the study of it not necessarily resulting in any epiphany, having it channelled through the idiosyncratic Monocle prism adds a delightful quality to the respective elaborations. The result is an inspiring and uplifting experience that could not be further apart from the commonly known and outworn self-help treatises.

Beautifully illustrated in the sophisticated trademark Monocle style, The Monocle Book of Gentle Living offers a welcome dose of respite, encouragement and motivation and is yet another great addition to their well-curated book series.

Sometimes gentle does it indeed.