I just started reading Montaigne, complete essays. But they are just rambling, not as rich or wise as Bacon’s essays, just filled up with constant classical and European little anecdotes of behavior that don’t seem to function well as moral fables.
Is it just me or must I read further? I have the Charles Cotton translation.
Is Montaigne overrated or what? Or is this just the best you can expect from the essay form?
I am a huge fan. I would recommend you start by reading Sarah Bakewell’s recent overview of his life, times and writing - I started a thread about it here: Wonderful, wise book - How to Live: Or a Life of Montaigne... - Cafe Society - Straight Dope Message Board
He is not trying to answer the Big Questions; he is trying to figure out how to live in this world, and he explores that in a very human, idiosyncratic way.