Pascal Brückner, winner of the Medici and Renaudo prizes, is known to Russian readers as a novelist ("The Divine Child", "The Thieves of Beauty", "Bitter Moon"). But Brückner is also one of the brightest thinkers of modern France. He continues the tradition of French classical essayism, from Montaigne to Cioran, which is so loved and appreciated in Russia. Each of his essays touches on problems that characterize modern civilization. The theme of the published book is the development and perversion of the desire for happiness characteristic of European culture since the 18th century. Brückner traces how the Christian value system was replaced by a secular-hedonistic one in the Age of Enlightenment, and how, as the end of the 20th century approaches, the cult of happiness, health and success strengthens, tyrannically ruling modern world. CONTENTS: Introduction Unofficial conscription PART ONE. Paradise is here and now Chapter I. Life is like a dream and like a lie “A Christian is a man not of this world” (Bossuet) Desired suffering Chapter II. The Golden Age - what next? A wondrous promise. Paradoxes of Eden. Suffering persists. Chapter III. Components of happinessMechanism of self-hypnosisObsessive generosityHealth, sex and constant anxietyGoodbye carefree!Way of the cross of euphoriaPART TWO. The insipid world, or the triumph of mediocrityChapter IV. Sweet and sour epic of graynessBurden and deliveranceRaging inertiaChapter V. Fanatics of routineTorment-boredomKing of triflesMeteomaniaMedical epicsChapter VI. Real life does not disappear Unfulfilled meetings with fate Poisonous envy Mysticism of key dates Digging into the garden or destroying everything to the ground? Divine whim PART THREE. The bourgeoisie, or the abomination of well-beingChapter VII. Mediocrity and dullness in the greenhouse of well-fed contentmentBe a monk or a soldierWar? And what? This is interesting! Bitter triumphChapter VII. What is happiness for some, For others is vulgarity. Bottomless abyss. Bourgeois usurper. Healing kitsch. Chapter IX. Since money does not bring happiness, give it away! Are the rich a model of happiness? Desired and hated Complete virtuality Moderation - the new morality? PART FOUR. Is misfortune illegal? Chapter X. Suffering is criminalThe mountain of garbage is growingToward a new culture of suffering?Uniting the sufferingVictims, or Breakers of barriersMicrorevolutionsChapter XI. Unattainable wisdomIs there any good in suffering?Magnificent martyrsForced truceConclusionCroissant of Madame Verdurin