In Defense of Misfortune

This thin little book of around fifty pages contains about twenty-five short essays applauding the occurrence and worth of misfortune, an event that is mostly overbalanced by the fortune which usually follows its appearance. Being raised in a poor household can lead to a satisfyingly lucrative career, a stressful delay in making a flight that unfortunately crashes leaving the traveler safely stranded on the ground is another incident, or a senior’s regret at not having expired sooner in order to earlier have enjoyed the glories of heaven.

These and more happenstances are lyrically described in the brief, easily read essays that amuse rather than draw out pathos for the sorrows of life. The good fortune that results from each of these events takes more of the center stage than the pain caused by misfortune. Even the nuisance of infection by a virus is considered propitious since both host and virus must coexist in order to survive. The essays playfully tease the reader over plain life incidents that can be simply solved.

Enhancing these pieces with illustrations would make the volume a compelling read for youthful readers. In its current form, it remains a quick read on a quirky subject suitable for the curious young reader.