Review of: Melancholic Joy: On Life Worth Living, by Brian Treanor (original) (raw)

Brian Treanor's "Melancholic Joy: On Life Worth Living" explores the complexity of human experience through the lens of melancholy and joy. By engaging with a wide range of literary, philosophical, and theological sources, Treanor argues for a form of joy that acknowledges the realities of despair, death, and suffering, proposing a 'second naiveté' that embraces the beauty of life amid sorrow. The book critiques superficial happiness, advocating instead for a deep, embodied understanding of joy that integrates hope and acknowledges the richness of the natural world.