We are all alive and yet we are all dilettantes, finding it hard to cope in a world where yesterday everyone was dancing to techno music and now the tango is all the rage, where one is either unemployed or working oneself to death, where footballers suddenly start to look like women and Germany's women's team performs better at the Football World Cup than the ›stronger sex‹. In times such as these, we need help. With humour and a refined turn of phrase, Mrożek tackles the absurdity of our existence. The more grotesque and absurd his tips are, the more they are tangible and concrete – and the more amusing for the reader!

In autumn 2004, Sławomir Mrożek received an award in Poland for his services toward ›improving the human condition‹. This made Mrożek pensive: »Although it is true that I do everything for humanity that I can, this somehow appears to leave no impression on human beings themselves, who continue to do as they please.« Nevertheless, after the success of ›Life for Beginners‹, Mrożek has now presented humankind with the gift of a second instruction manual for solving the great problems and answering the questions of existence. In ›Life for the Advanced‹, Mrożek once again tackles the absurdities of life with humour and in refined style. Just like its predecessor, ›Life for the Advanced‹ is the perfect gift for dilettantes of life who do not wish to miss out on the help and advice of one such as Sławomir Mrożek – and for those who treasure a hugely entertaining read in a small format.