Consolations: Timeless Wisdom from the Ancient World for Every Day

Irene Vallejo

Apr 2026 · Sold by Hodder & Stoughton

Ebook

400

Pages

Eligible

Switch to the audiobook

About this ebook

UPLIFTING, PRACTICAL AND SURPRISING WISDOM FROM THE MILLION-COPY BESTSELLING CLASSICIST

'Wonderful. Thoughtfully chosen, carefully explained and beautifully expressed' NATALIE HAYNES
'A literary phenomenon' TLS
'She leaves her readers inspired, invigorated and sincerely grateful' TELEGRAPH

Why do some loves endure while others fade? Is happiness something we can learn? Why do some things feel like work and others like leisure?

Every new page of Consolations offers a thought-provoking idea about life - from friendship and family arguments to ageing and narcissism. Renowned classicist Irene Vallejo shows us how each of these ideas has its roots in ancient times, drawing on the wisdom of Aristotle and Seneca, as well as lesser known philosophy and history.

Each entry brings a surprising insight, and helps us to think differently about our daily life. These are fascinating little gems to read every day, and to savour slowly.

UPLIFTING, PRACTICAL AND SURPRISING WISDOM FROM THE MILLION-COPY BESTSELLING CLASSICIST 'Wonderful. Thoughtfully chosen, carefully explained and beautifully expressed' NATALIE HAYNES 'A literary phenomenon' TLS 'She leaves her readers inspired, invigorated and sincerely grateful' TELEGRAPH Why do...

Discover more

About the author

Irene Vallejo is a classicist and the global bestselling author of Papyrus: The Invention of Books in the Ancient World. She earned her European Doctorate from the Universities of Zaragoza and Florence and is a regular columnist for El País, El Espectador, and La Nación. Papyrus has sold more than a million copies worldwide and has been translated into forty languages. It was awarded the National Essay Prize in Spain, the Prix Livre de Poche in France, and the Wenjin Book Award in China, among other prizes. Irene is also the author of two children's books, two novels, and three collections of essays, articles, and short fiction.

Irene Vallejo is a classicist and the global bestselling author of Papyrus: The Invention of Books in the Ancient World. She earned her European Doctorate from the Universities of Zaragoza and Florence and is a regular columnist for El País, El Espectador, and La Nación. Papyrus has sold more tha...

Rate this ebook

Tell us what you think.

Reading information

Smartphones and tablets

Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.

Laptops and computers

You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.

eReaders and other devices

To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.

Flag as inappropriate