An interview with Alain de Botton

Alain de Botton's philosophy throws light on the big challenges of our lives. In Essays in Love, he charts each stage of a relationship with startling clarity and explores emotions often felt but rarely understood. We asked the author and founder of The School of Life about his obsessions, reading habits, and the advice he would give to his younger self.

As well as giving us a chance to read (or reread) some of the best works of literature from the past forty years, the advent of the Picador Classic series also seemed the perfect opportunity to ask the authors some big questions – about life and literature, their current obsessions and how times have changed.

Alain de Botton's philosophy throws light on the big challenges of our lives. In Essays in Love, he charts each stage of a relationship with startling clarity and explores emotions often felt but rarely understood.

 We asked the author and founder of The School of Life about his obsessions, reading habits, and the advice he would give to his younger self.

Where in the world do you find yourself returning to and why? 

I love the Utah desert. It's beautifully empty and returns perspective to rushed city lives.

What are you currently obsessed with?

YouTube: and making films for it on The School of Life's channel.

What happens to us when we die?

We live on briefly in the memories of those we've helped.

Which other author would you most like to have for dinner and why?

Sheila Heti, she's clever, witty and irreverent. And likes my work.

What’s your favourite fairytale or children’s book?

I love Goodnight Little Bear, about the bed-time adventures of a bear.

Print or ebook?

Print of course, ebooks are not books.

What’s your favourite film?

Paris, Texas by Wim Wenders

And your favourite music or music genre?

I love the music of Natalie Merchant.

What advice would you give your 15 or 20 year old self? 

It's a long haul. Plan for it.

>>READ AN EXTRACT FROM ESSAYS IN LOVE

Essays In Love

by Alain de Botton

Book cover for Essays In Love

A unique love story and a classic work of philosophy, rooted in the mysterious workings of the human heart and mind. With an introduction by Sheila Heti.

'De Botton is a national treasure.' - Susan Hill, author of The Woman in Black

Perhaps it is true that we do not really exist until there is someone there to see us existing, we cannot properly speak until there is someone who can understand what we are saying in essence, we are not wholly alive until we are loved.

A man and a woman meet over casual conversation on a flight from Paris to London, and so begins a love story – from first kiss to first argument, elation to heartbreak, and everything in between. Each stage of the relationship is illuminated with startling clarity, as Alain de Botton explores emotions often felt but rarely understood.

With the verve of a novelist and the insight of a philosopher, de Botton uncovers the mysteries of the human heart. Essays In Love is an iconic book – one that should be read by anyone who has ever fallen in love.