Why do we hope for the worst for some individuals? How can one defend oneself from envy? What is the difference between envy, jealousy, resentment, and admiration? This book provides a portrait of a painful, unspeakable emotion, which constantly lends itself to change and disguise. "Why him? Why not me?" No relationship, not even the most intimate, is impervious to envy. Are there strategies for avoiding feelings of envy or causing envy in others? Is envy an exclusively negative emotion, or can it be a source of benefits? Why do we wish bad things to happen to others? Is there a link between envy and perception of injustice? This book explores every facet of this many-sided emotion, including its possible social functions.

Maria Miceli is a researcher at the Cognition Science and Technology Centre of the National Research Council in Rome.