The Consolation of Philosophy
Boethius, a Roman senator and scholar, wrote this book in prison around 524 while awaiting execution on a charge of treason under the Gothic king Theodoric. Alone in his cell he is visited by Philosophy in the form of a woman, who argues him out of self-pity and through the great questions: why the wicked prosper, what fortune is, whether happiness is possible, how God's foreknowledge can leave room for free will. Prose alternates with verse throughout. The Consolation was among the most read books in Europe for a thousand years and was translated by King Alfred, Chaucer and Elizabeth I. This edition presents it in H. R. James's translation of 1897. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first chapter free.
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Frequently asked questions about The Consolation of Philosophy
The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius 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 The Consolation of Philosophy online?
Yes. The Consolation of Philosophy 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 The Consolation of Philosophy free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Consolation of Philosophy 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 The Consolation of Philosophy in the public domain?
Yes. The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius is a public-domain work, here in the translation by H. R. James. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Consolation of Philosophy?
About 2 h 49 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 The Consolation of Philosophy?
The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius is filed under "Philosophy" in the Vinteuil library.
