The Lost Art of Losing
Reflections on Life, Creativity, and the Human Experience
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Vagabond Voices
Published:20th Apr '12
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
This collection of aphorisms by Gregory Norminton offers a deep exploration of the human mind and societal interactions, as seen in The Lost Art of Losing.
In The Lost Art of Losing, award-winning novelist Gregory Norminton presents a compelling collection of thoughts, rants, and aphorisms that navigate the complexities of the human experience. Through a blend of humor and despair, the text offers a fragmented yet insightful portrayal of the mind during challenging times. Norminton's unique approach transforms traditional aphorisms into accessible reflections that resonate on a personal level, prompting readers to contemplate the meanings behind everyday life.
The author delves into the intricacies of literary creation, exposing the inherent limitations and hubris associated with it. He provocatively states, 'No revelation sparkles brighter than the one scribbled down from sleep, nor looks duller when revisited by the light of day.' This exploration of creativity serves as a backdrop for his broader inquiries into existence, as he questions the very nature of understanding through aphorisms. For instance, he notes, 'Incessantly we ask the meaning of life to protect us from hearing the perfectly obvious answer,' inviting readers to reflect on their own perceptions of meaning.
Norminton's aphorisms also highlight the delicate balance between the self and society, as seen in his observation: 'To fear the ill-opinion of others is grossly to overestimate the space we take up in their imagination.' With a keen understanding of the elegance required in crafting thought, The Lost Art of Losing challenges readers to engage with their own thoughts and the world around them in profound ways.
Norminton's aphorisms are witty, some provocative, some self-revelatory and touching to read. A companionable little volume that brings fresh life to a venerable form." - Andrew Miller author of Pure, winner of the 2012 Costa Prize Chesterton said that novels are written for the sake of ve or six words. Gregory Norminton has dispensed with the dross and given us nothing but the real thing: a whole library of " ve or six words" in their magni cent, illuminating, witty and moving essence. - Alberto Manguel Norminton describes himself as a 'novelist and seated person'. From that sedentary position, he also writes really good aphorisms... His dark insights into the human condition glitter around the edges of these aphorisms, but he clearly feels that few dismal truths are so bleak that they don't also deserve a laugh. - James Geary, author of The World in a Phrase: A Brief History of the Aphorism
ISBN: 9781908251060
Dimensions: 149mm x 105mm x 7mm
Weight: unknown
96 pages