Why read The Essays of Montaigne?

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Why read it?

1 author picked The Essays of Montaigne as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Ben Hutchinson

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Writing in the sixteenth century, Montaigne essentially created the modern ‘essai’ as we know it. What I love about his writing, erudite though it is, is that there is nothing dry about it: his subject was himself, which is to say, by extension, ourselves.

Mixing references both Christian and Classical, learned and personal, Montaigne explores subjects ranging from cowardice to thumbs, and solitude to smells. In inventing the essay as a way of understanding ourselves, Montaigne invented our age of narcissism: ‘I have never seen a greater monster or miracle than myself.’

From Ben's list on The best essays to help us think for ourselves.