Encounterism: The Neglected Joys of Being In Person

‘Andy Field’s book reawakens us to the neglected majesty, charm and beauty of the everyday. His book returns us to a childlike state of wonder. It’s profoundly charming – and, in the best sense, lovely.’

Alain de Botton, author of A Simpler Life

Encounterism is a joyous immersion into the everyday pleasure and shared humanity we stand to lose in an increasingly digital world. Andy Field explores both different kinds of and different venues for human encounters, from the hairdressers to the cinema, from nightclubs to eateries, shops staffed by people and free-form urban parks; these are the everyday yet invaluable spaces that allow for human encounters that enrich our lives.

Field writes with tenderness and wit – born out of twenty years as a performance artist creating scenarios in which people are encouraged to see and interact with each other afresh. In Encounterism he not only examines how we physically encounter both strangers and friends – in all our human grace and awkwardness – but builds to a manifesto for the importance of real-world interaction. A rousing reminder that our cities, our residential and work places, must still allow for the possibility of spontaneity and shared, in-person joy.

‘Andy Field is the freshest, most down-to-earth, most constantly surprising (and endearing) explorer of urban life I’ve read in a while … And whether he’s guiding us into mass snowball fights on the streets of London or the meaning of holding hands, this unmet stranger cheerfully reminds us all of the value of touch and the virtue of trying to see the world anew.’

Pico Iyer, author of The Half Known Life and Autumn Light

 

‘Modern-day transcendentalist Andy Field weaves reflections on cultural touchstones in celebration of the person-to-person encounter – whether that’s a phone call with a lover, a snowball fight with strangers or a sweaty nightclub dancefloor.’

Ada Calhoun, author of Also A Poet and Why We Can’t Sleep

 

‘I loved this beguiling, uplifting debut.’

Caroline Sanderson, the Bookseller Editor’s Choice

 

‘It is easy to forget: life is a delicate matter of meetings and partings. Andy Field provides a gentle, beautiful reminder.’

John Kaag, author of Hiking with Nietzsche

 

‘A deeply felt, optimistic take on culture and contemporary life, and the small possibilities for change and transforming human interaction that it can contain if we’re open to its offers.’

Tim Etchells, artist

 

‘A spirited celebration of the everyday.’

New Statesman

Read an extract.

Also available in ebook.