I'm usually jaded enough not to use the word 'inspiring', but this book is inspiring in the most benign and down-to-earth way. Amazon should show its legendary business sense and give a copy of this book away with every order. 'Better Than Life' so ignites, or re-ignites, the thirst for the printed word that every copy read would account for ten more novels bought.
Not least of the book's strengths is its ability to speak to all audiences, to the experienced or to the child, and hold them spellbound with stories from the past, stories about stories, and stories about how we use and absorb stories. But it's a remarkably tolerant book, more about curiosoty than commentary, written with flair, simplicity and a contagious good spirit.
The original title was far more suitable because, aside from everything else, the book also does 'read like a novel'. It's funny too. I haven't gone into the specifics of the book because I wouldn't want to spoil the effects of its charm, but I can't recommended it enough; I've foisted this book on friends and now I'm trying to do the same to strangers.
Pennac's book succeeds where many fail because it is entirely devoid of sanctimony. His thoughts on reading are presented as an answer to the question "How do we get a child to love reading." His thoughts are clear, well-reasoned, and passionately held, in a way that makes the reader think, "Me, too!"
If you love reading and want to pass on the feeling, this is a great book for a starter.