This year marks the 35th anniversary of the publication of ‘Montaillou’, a book in the French literary tradition that treats laziness with the gravity and intelligence it deserves. It is one of various publications that “address the same phenomenon: the soul-numbing nature of modern work. Whether it takes place at the factory or office, work has become mechanical and meaningless. Rather than a trend, it is a perennial subject in France.” “Hello laziness? The French never said au revoir. It’s no surprise this is annoying to American sensibilities: If we were honest with ourselves, we never would have wanted to say goodbye, either.”