I would not say that Theodore Dalrymyple's book, "Life at the Bottom: The Worldview that Makes the Underclass" is a can't put down book. But it is still a great read, although I can only digest a chapter at a time because the subject is a tough one to deal with. You can only take so many attempted suicides, beaten wives, hopelessness and depravity per day.
From what I've read so far, he makes it clear that the problems of the underclass are all about self control and self worth. Poverty - or lack of money - is clearly not an issue. He rips apart the fantasies and fads of modern psycho-babble and the "intellectuals" in a refreshingly straight forward manner.
I wish I could write like him.
1 comment:
I read that one last year, its sloewly making the rounds of family and friends now.
A good read, repetitive in the end, but only because the story really doesnt change. People who dont live in a civilised fashion end up living in squallor.
It shouldnt be a new message, but it does escape a lot of people. I particularly liked the bit about the value of judging people based on how they present themselves or act. Its just common sense.
Ill re-read it if i can pry it from my dads hands..
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