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Against Happiness

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Against Happiness: In Praise of Melancholy
AuthorEric G. Wilson
LanguageEnglish
SubjectPro-melancholy
PublisherFarrar, Straus and Giroux
Publication date
January 22, 2008
Publication placeUnited States
Media typeHardback
Pages176
ISBN978-0-374-24066-0
OCLC156818826
152.4 22
LC ClassBF575.M44 W55 2008

Against Happiness: In Praise of Melancholy is a nonfiction book by Eric G. Wilson that examines the benefits of being sad.[1] The author denotes in the book that diagnosable conditions should be treated accordingly, and is in no way saying it is "normal" or "good" to be depressed. Rather, he seeks to point out that melancholy, or as he dubs it "generative melancholy" can be a powerfully creative force that has motivated the likes of Virginia Woolf, John Keats, Vincent van Gogh, and Ludwig van Beethoven to produce some of the greatest artistic masterpieces of their respective genres. Further, he expresses concern that America's aggressive diagnosis of any negative mood, however slight, as bad, abnormal, or dangerous will lead to an eradication of one of the most powerfully inspirational and motivational forces and its potential products.

References

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  1. ^ Keillor, Garrison (2008-03-16). "Woe Be Gone". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-02-12.
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