Monday, August 18, 2014

Epstein Reviewed

John S. Sledge reviews Joseph Epstein's latest book of essays. An excerpt:

Even when dismissive, as in the foregoing instance, Epstein avoids the pepper shaker. He doesn’t have a big mouth and isn’t overly impressed with himself: “A world filled with people like me would be intolerable.” He’s forceful, yes, but humorous and just self-deprecatory enough to remain grounded and winning. At seventy-seven, he grumbles that everything sure seemed better in the old days—the seriousness of politicians, music, poetry, painting, academic standards—but is quick to quote George Santayana’s remark that one of the reasons the old complain about the world is because they cannot “imagine a world being any good at all in which they will not be around to participate.” You’ve got to admire a man who can admit that. Welcome to the world of Joseph Epstein.

No comments: