I came across this book at the local Barnes & Noble. It was among a table of books all part of a buy two get one free deal. I bought this along with Rubicon by Tom Holland as well as The Working Poor by David K. Shipler. I never heard of the Architecture of Happiness nor had I heard of Alain de Botton. I must be a bumpkin.


The title of the book may sound as if the core of the book revolves around the construction of inner-happiness. In a way that's true but the 'construction' is to be taken literally. The book is about human needs and desires (i.e. happiness) that are manifested in architecture. De Botton explains that we develop houses, buildings, interiors to suit some of our internal desires.

I'll advise only particular friends to read this. I would think that most other people wouldn't really find it all to engrossing which is unfortunate. If you want to deviate from reading the usual fiction and current-affairs books than give this a shot, it might be refreshing. Also you will probably learn quite a deal about architects and their constructions.

The book is not one long narration but a series of short essays organized under six chapters. I could imagine that some readers would view De Botton as being pompous with his writing. De Botton uses an elaborate prose for whatever reasons, but I appreciated it. I'll admit I had to use the dictionary quite often, I'm not at any disadvantage from having to have done so.

It's definitely not a written as a layman's book. I could hardly imagine any layman interested in understanding the importance of beauty. I could write a longer review but that would be pointless. Either you'll read this book or you won't. Which is true of every other book. So there.