Okay, let's clear this up first: this isn't a storybook. Volume 5 of Hazlitt's collected works is a feast of essays. Think of it as a series of brilliant, sometimes ranting, always passionate conversations captured on paper. He writes about his friends (like the poets Wordsworth and Coleridge), dissects the characters in Shakespeare's plays, argues about painters, and reminisces about the simple joys of going for a walk. There's no linear plot, but there is a powerful through-line: the journey of a single, fascinating consciousness observing his world.

Why You Should Read It

You read Hazlitt for the voice. He's opinionated, witty, and wears his heart on his sleeve. When he describes the thrill of watching a great actor, you feel it. When he's bitter about a political betrayal, you get angry with him. His essay "On the Pleasure of Hating" is a darkly funny masterpiece that feels like it was written yesterday. He turns everyday things—a boxing match, a visit to an art gallery—into explorations of human nature. It's philosophy without the dust.

Final Verdict

This is for the curious reader who likes to think. Perfect for anyone who enjoys the personal essays of people like George Orwell or Joan Didion, but wants to go back to the source. If you love history, you'll get an unfiltered, ground-level view of Regency England. If you just love beautiful, forceful writing about what it means to be human, Hazlitt is your guy. Don't rush it. Sip these essays one at a time, like a strong drink, and let them simmer.