Carl Honore takes us on a trip over the various waves of the Slow Movement: slow food, slow sex, slow exercise, slow medicine and so on.

During the journey we meet members of Japan’s Sloth Club and the Society for the Deceleration of Time, we also eavesdrop on a workshop for Tantric Sex and participate in the sensual delights of a four hour meal.

Honore argues that the cult of speed that sums up 21st Century life needs to be balanced with a more considered approach to existence. Instead of doing lots of things badly, we need to just concentrate on doing one thing well. In turn, we will reap the benefits of calmer minds, healthier bodies and better relationships with other people and the world. Honore doesn’t reject speed outright, he says that we just need to temper it with other options than fast, faster, fastest.

Yes, the book is a little bit too bourgie lifestyle smug for my liking, veering close to New Agey wooliness at times. However, Honore treads a fine line between criticising and embracing some of the ideas he comes across.

It’s an entertaining read,and has an excellent list of links at the end,for more info on other people who are trying to breathe out slowly…

http://www.inpraiseofslow.com/slow/index.php