
An apology for idlers, and other essays
An Apology for Idlers and Other Essays is a short selection of four essays by Robert Louis Stevenson, taken from his early collection Virginibus Puerisque of 1881. In the title essay Stevenson defends idleness, which he defines not as doing nothing but as doing much that the busy world does not value, and argues for curiosity, leisure and cheerfulness over the race for money. "El Dorado" praises the pleasure of hoping and traveling over arriving, "The English Admirals" considers the romance of naval heroes, and "Child's Play" explores the imaginative world of children. The essays are light in touch but carefully made, and show Stevenson's early mastery of the form. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first essay is free.
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Frequently asked questions about An apology for idlers, and other essays
An apology for idlers, and other essays by Robert Louis Stevenson can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read An apology for idlers, and other essays online?
Yes. An apology for idlers, and other essays opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is An apology for idlers, and other essays free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of An apology for idlers, and other essays is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is An apology for idlers, and other essays in the public domain?
Yes. An apology for idlers, and other essays by Robert Louis Stevenson is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read An apology for idlers, and other essays?
About 55 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is An apology for idlers, and other essays?
An apology for idlers, and other essays by Robert Louis Stevenson is filed under "Essays & Letters" in the Vinteuil library.











