What I found most interesting is how the interpretation of Montaigne shifted significantly with each cultural shift in society. A good reminder that it's not just the words on the page that matter, but the cultural context that surrounds them. We read through our lens of history.

I have been reading Montaigne’s ‘Essays’ on the side over the last couple of years, a book unlike any other. Montaigne’s essays are intriguing and as Sarah points out in this book, everyone sees themselves in it. The essays cover a lot, meander, but do not force one way or the other as the point, maybe why everyone sees a little bit of themselves in it.
Ironically, while Montaigne bares so much of himself in his essays, he makes one want to learn more about what made him so. Sarah’s book is an attempt to satisfy that curiosity to learn more about Montaigne. It does that and more – it serves to provide much context about the writer and how his life’s work evolved and continues past his life. This is not a book for everyone but is richly rewarding for those that have more than a passing interest in Montaigne and his essays.
This book helps understand how Montaigne was able to critically view his own life. You understand why the essays, coming in at 1000 pages with a rich set of sources is a book that is never complete. This book attempts to speak of the life of Montaigne as answers to 20 questions, an approach different from any biography I have attempted. It works brilliantly for the most part. Montaigne is hard to separate from his life’s work, his ‘Essays’, unlike many biographical figures. Most of those who are interested in learning about him would have landed there through the ‘Essays’. Sarah has cleverly used that curiosity as a mechanism to frame questions and answers that help understand the man and his relationship to the essays. The book is not promoted as an introduction to the essay or as a companion, but I do consider it so. I am lucky to have found it at the right time, i.e., while I am in the middle of reading the ‘Essays’ –just enough to appreciate what Sarah is talking about while still having the luxury of using my newfound knowledge to use over the remaining page of the ‘Essays’.
Among the 20 questions, some stand out, especially the one on the influence of the Stoic schools (6th one). A few at the rear are weak, but the strong early ones more than makeup for it.

Excellent

I thought this was more going to be a exploration of Montaignes philosophy rather than a biography. It was instead a pleasurable mix of both. Bakewell paints a real picture of what being a lord/ member of the upper class would be like in the 1500s, weaves in the major social and political forces that directed how Montaigne lived, and really sets out what he personally achieved and how it was received across the following centuries.

A great read for someone who enjoys reading philosophy, biographies, and learning about societies of different times.

So far, pretty enjoyable. I love this man's stream of consciousness writing style and the author of this sorta-biography does a great job of bringing him to life. Amazing insights from a man who lived during the 1500s. Demonstrates that as human beings, we still struggle with the same doubts and fears. Finished and Loved it! Now to purchase the Essays!

Excellent. I loved reading Montaigne's "Essays" in college, and this is an enjoyable read. I loved her argument about how he is particularly relevant in this technological age. I would like to read it more carefully in the future while rereading the "Essais" again -- that would be fun.

Excellent biography. Goes deep into the culture and religious turmoil that surrounded Montaigne as he wrote his essays. Takes a deep dive into the Hellenic philosophers that influenced Montaigne and the supporters and critics in his time and throughout the 400+ years since his death. The author seems extremely intelligent and well-read yet writes in a conversational style that I found quite interesting.

If there was an award for 'Best Last Line In A Book', Bakewell would have it on her mantelpiece: 'the best things in life happen when you don't get what you think you want'.
Thank you Sarah Bakewell for your 'voluntary servitude' to Montaigne and for bringing him to me on this marvellous platter of poetry, history and personality. I feel warmly enveloped within the temperate palms of his hands that have brought me closer to myself. I have been 'embabooned' by both of you!
I'd never heard of Montaigne until reading an article by Maria Popova on Brainpickings. I took a chance and ended up having the most enjoyable month in the company of a 16th century philosophical legend who championed mindfulness, forgetfulness and moderation in his attempts to flourish as a human being. Influenced by Hellenistic traditions, Montaigne was a stoic; a sceptic and a secret radical who travelled, read, wrote and loved by following the promptings of pleasure. He was intrigued by himself, rolled around in himself and wrote about every thought that came into his head. This is what makes 'The Essays' (his life's work) so enriching I guess, they are as much about the politics of the day and the ferocious French civil wars as they are about kidney stones and cats! He was all personality, a free-spirited, independent hero who resisted any claim to heroism. Everybody wanted a piece of him, even the King, but he had 'conceived a mortal hatred of being obliged either to another or by another' than himself.
How To Live? It involves nothing more complicated than being ordinary and imperfect; guarding your humanity; paying attention; questioning everything and regretting nothing.
This is a wonderful book. One for the bedside locker at home and in every hotel room in the world. Highly recommended.