The French Art of Not Trying Too Hard

Ollivier Pourriol, Helen Stevenson

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English

Profile
01 March 2022

Popular philosophy; Psychology; Self-help & personal development; Gift books

Sick of striving? Giving up on grit? Had enough of hustle culture? Daunted by the 10,000-hour rule? Relax: As the French know, it's the best way to be better at everything.

In the realm of love, what could be less seductive than someone who's trying to seduce you? Seduction is the art of succeeding without trying, and that's a lesson the French have mastered. We can see it in their laissez-faire parenting, chic style, haute cuisine, and enviable home cooking: they barely seem to be trying, yet the results are world-famous, thanks to a certain je ne sais quoi that is the key to a more creative, fulfilling, and productive life.

For fans of both Mark Manson's The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F
*ck and Alain de Botton's How Proust Can Change Your Life, philosopher Ollivier Pourriol's book draws on the examples of such French legends as Descartes, Stendhal, Rodin, Cyrano de Bergerac and Francoise Sagan to show how to be efficient a la francaise, and how to effortlessly reap the rewards.

By: Ollivier Pourriol
Translated by: Helen Stevenson
Imprint: Profile
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Edition: Main
Dimensions: Height: 196mm, Width: 128mm, Spine: 20mm
Weight: 160g
ISBN: 9781788163286
ISBN 10: 1788163281
Pages: 208
Publication Date: 01 March 2022
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Ollivier Pourriol is a philosopher, writer and prize-winning novelist, who has been exploring the art of living, ambition and creativity for over twenty years. He has lectured at the Paris Philharmonie, the Maison de la Poesie and many cinemas, where his lectures mixing philosophy and cinema are widely attended. Throughout his work he explores the role of imagination in our lives, and easier ways to reach our goals. He lives in Paris, where he puts his ideas into practice over aperitifs with friends.

Reviews for The French Art of Not Trying Too Hard

'A thought-provoking and delightful book' - Simeon House '[An] amusing and interesting read; even Pourriol's description of his approach to the material is a lesson in the laissez-faire outlook.' - Booklist 'A compelling look at the French attitude toward making things look easy ... For lovers of all things French, but also for those who enjoy philosophy and self-help books that discuss working smarter, not harder.' - Library Journal 'A laissez-faire guide to self-help. This is a book for those who aspire to the deshabille, Serge-Gainsbourg-and-Jane-Birkin-morning-after look and the studied negligence of the Parisian Bobo (bourgeois-bohemian).' - The Times