Life is an endless succession of desires, of periods spent looking forward to specific events, acquisitions or changes. But do we really know what it is that we anticipate at the expense of so much time and emotion? We may yearn to be someone else, or to share a special moment with as many people as possible. We long for love, for sex, for home. All this seems entirely natural – but how exactly do we experience such desires? Simon describes his own sense of expectation during his wife’s pregnancy and remarks: ‘I can’t say that I knew what I was waiting for before I became a father.’

Although powerful longing can be experienced as torment, we ought perhaps to learn to value it more than we do. Desire and yearning are not merely about feeling deprived; they give shape to our days. Longing persists until satisfied, but its ultimate resolution never lives up to expectation. Simon shows that it is not the fulfilment of our desires but desire itself that lends our lives meaning. Perhaps it is precisely this waiting for what we feel to be missing that constitutes happiness.

Apparently small shifts in ways of thinking about desire have large effects on individual and social behaviour. In a society of supposedly unlimited choice we feel obliged to reflect on who we are and what we really want out of life. We assume that enjoyment lies only in the outcome, not in the longing, but if we take no pleasure in it, our waiting will be in vain.

What makes Simon’s book so remarkable is the sharp but unprejudiced eye with which he looks at the things we seem to take for granted. His attractive way of recalling personal memories prompts us to remember past events of our own lives. This innovative and accessible book presents a truly original type of philosophy, one that is close to everyday life and discovers big questions in small observations.

• Starting from personal experiences, Simon investigates twelve desires that are characteristic of human beings, from homesickness and nostalgia to the need for closure.
• Looks at social issues, such as loneliness, as well as current controversies in philosophy, including the existence or otherwise of free will.
• Simon’s personal approach is not merely a stylistic device, it is at the core of his approach to philosophy.