The Last Days of Roger Federer

More about the book

An extended meditation on late style and last works from a leading critic, this book explores what happens to artists and athletes as they age. It raises questions about whether their work matures or deteriorates, and how they cope with physical decline. The author reflects on his own experience with late middle age while examining the final days and creations of influential figures like Nietzsche, Bob Dylan, J.M.W. Turner, John Coltrane, Bjorn Borg, and Beethoven. With charm and insight, he discusses the intensified experiences that arise when an ending is near, highlighting the achievements of unconventional geniuses who continued to innovate beyond their youthful prime. Spanning topics from Burning Man to the nineteenth-century Alps, this work delves into the enduring relationship with art and beauty, revealing how even the most jaded sensibilities can find illumination through music and literature. Celebrated for his wit and prose, the author combines criticism, memoir, and humor to create a unique narrative. This exploration serves as both a reflection of his passions and an engaging introduction to his distinctive style.