Daily Rituals: How Artists Work

I read this one after I read the second, Women at Work , and while this one was enjoyable I found it less relatable and enthralling. This is not the author's fault, of course, but I found the women's routines to be more interesting, as they had more daily responsibilities to juggle and more obstacles and challenges to face. So many of the male creatives in this book could have their chapters swapped around without anyone noticing - their routines were all so similar. Wake up, have breakfast brought to them by their servant/wife. Then they create, socialize, drink while someone else does their daily work. The only exception to this seemed to be Glenn Gould who was framed as some type of aberration and misanthrope, due to his antisocial night-time errands, despite a full page detailing his lengthy calls to his many friends.

I was also surprised and disturbed by how many of the authors and composers seemed to have a routine that involved nudity for no apparent reason. Not to mention the one guy who literally wrote while groping himself for “creative stimulation”.

One thing I did find unnecessary was the inclusion of Woody Allen. Not only was his chapter utterly boring, but I didn't think that there was any point in including a pedophile's daily routines.

Of course, all of this is just a reflection on the routines themselves, not the author's skill. His books are engaging and entertaining and I find no fault in this book.