Flourish - by Antonia Case (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

What is a meaningful life? What does it mean to flourish?

Antonia Case, the co-founder of New Philosopher and Womankind magazines, quits her corporate job in the city and, with her partner, travels across the world in search of meaning. In a quest to find answers, she turns off the soundtrack of the media, rids herself of technology, and with little more than books as carry-on luggage, she journeys from Buenos Aires to Paris, from Barcelona to Byron Bay, seeking guidance from ancient philosophers and modern-day psychologists on what is a good life, and what is a life worth living. Along the way she discovers why winning the lottery doesn't make you happy, why making is better than having, and how love and belonging are vital to our sense of selves.

Packed with insight into life's big questions, Flourish will take you on a riveting journey in search of what matters most.

Review Quotes

"Every now and then an epiphany comes along in the form of a book. Are we being who we secretly thought we could be? Is life being the adventure it promised? Flourish is a road trip, an odyssey and a quest in the company of thinkers, not by a guru but by someone who with gleeful bravery walked out of the office and went to find their freedom. The time is right for this kind of quest, the time is right for these philosophies - and I found it right for the sweet kick in the backside this book gave me." --DBC Pierre, Booker-Prize Winning author of Vernon God Little

"Radiant and wise, Flourish is a book for our times, showing us all the way to live a rich and purposeful life." --Kate Forsyth, bestselling author of Bitter Greens and over 40 books, winner of the American Library Association (ALA) Award for Best Historical Fiction

"What's so brilliant and fresh: the big, best ideas of world philosophy beautifully explained, yes; but via the close-up story of Antonia's adventurous and fascinating (and very real) life. It's what I need: not apology or gloom but an authentic, inspiring appetite for getting our complicated, imperfect - and sometimes wonderful - lives to flower. You want to reach for your journal, get brave and join her." --John Armstrong, philosopher and author of Life Lessons from Nietzsche and Art as Therapy

"Antonia Case brings the clarity of years of editing Womankind and New Philosopher magazines to her new book, asking: what does it take to really flourish? Drawing on philosophers, writers, artists and the stories of ordinary people - as well as her own journey - she discovers that flourishing cannot exist within the cookie-cutter expectations of others. It must be found within." --Clarissa Sebag-Montefiore, journalist for The New York Times and the Guardian

"Flourish is the result of the years the author spent culling wisdom from philosophers, psychologists, writers, religious thinkers, and fellow wanderers... Case's theoretical ruminations are bolstered by her personal testimony and spirited embrace of her ideas." --Booklist

"This is no ordinary travelogue. At times intense, but always wise, the key message is that meaning comes from love, not riches." --Platinum

"Flourish is an outstanding book about the tricky business of being in the world." --Times Literary Supplement

About the Author

An award-winning writer and journalist, Antonia Case is the co-founder of New Philosopher and Womankind magazines, and the Editor-In-Chief of New Philosopher. In 2014, she was awarded the Australasian Association of Philosophy Media Professionals' Award. Antonia holds an Honours degree in Economics from Sydney University and is a regular speaker on radio and at writers' festivals.