4.5 stars

In 2009, Botton spent a week at Heathrow as a ‘writer in residence’, thanks to British Airways. I’m not sure if any other writer would have managed to hook me quite as well as he did. Never have I ever been more intrigued reading about ceilings or about the layout of hotel rooms! Botton has the unique quality of exalting the ordinary without sounding like a bore or coming off as vain. I never knew airports could serve as areas of such profound wisdom!

I was shocked at how much I enjoyed the book! Alain’s keen eye, mixed with his eloquent and concise writing, is sure to captivate the reader even when talking about the dullest of things. The book is a short read (112 pages), accompanied with photos that ordinarily wouldn’t have inspired any strong emotions if it weren’t for Alain’s beautiful writing.
I have a deep desire to devour everything he writes, and hopefully learn to write with his brevity and sharpness.