Page 22 - Liverpool Law Sep 2017
P. 22
Review
Book Review: ‘100 Days of
Solitude’ by Daphne Kapsali
by Thomas Sutherland, Canter Levin & Berg
Like most of us, I often wonder what it would be like to be less busy. A life where you could wake up and not be able to name at least 10 things that need doing that day, whether at home or work. For the majority of readers, that feeling only truly comes when on holiday (and maybe Christmas – albeit I know a lot of people who are busier during the Christmas period than at work!)
The fascinating thing about this book, and why I think it would be fitting to be read by lawyers, is that it contains the tale of someone who actively chased solitude. I.e. no phones ringing, no commuting, no place to be. Not only that but, to make sure she kept to her vow, she stayed in a small house up a mountain in a small, relatively uninhabited Greek island.
And so started her 100 days of solitude. To be clear, she didn’t actively set out to avoid people. Rather, she interacts with the various individuals on the island (mainly her distant neighbours, the post office staff and, increasingly throughout her 100 days, the island’s cats).
Whilst the premise of the book may sound extreme, the author is extremely honest about the path to her decision, her varied emotions during each day and the various stages of fear, self-doubt and, ultimately, contentment (albeit with a nagging sense that she needed more companionship).
For me, the moral of the book is to make more time to pause and reflect on life – i.e. focusing on the memories you’re making and embracing good times rather than simply rushing through life and being distracted by the bad points.
Whilst it was fascinating to read the author’s account, I could certainly not manage 100 days of solitude; in fact, I think I’d struggle with 100 hours of solitude! In the end, the book made me appreciate the fact that life is varied and that’s for the better.
Well recommended – 4 stars (out of 5)
Tom Sutherland, Employment Solicitor, Canter Levin & Berg
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