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maxycat's review against another edition
3.0
De Botton recounts an experience he had falling in love with a woman and watching her fall out of love with him. He then briefly covers his recovery.
I think it was a refreshing take on romance and love but some might find his practicality a little bleak. I found it very relatable.
I think it was a refreshing take on romance and love but some might find his practicality a little bleak. I found it very relatable.
hmmitsvenus's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
4.75
Wow. What a book.
Listen, I'm a romantic at heart, okay? I love love, or at least the concept of it. And Alain de Botton's Essays in Love is possibly one of the most charming, realistic, and poignant books on the topic that I have ever read. The writing is lilting and lyrical, and the chapters each hold their individual structure but function perfectly to pull the narrative together. I loved the idea of tackling these concepts in the philosophy of romantic love through the lens of a regular person's relationship, showing both the highs and the lows as well as all of the emotions and irrationalities that these moments bring forth. He manages to portray these complicated concepts so simply, and the relationship beats felt so real that they were almost familiar. Which is nuts, since I've literally never even bothered with romance before.
Where this book shines is certainly the writing style. Its prose is so smooth and lyrical, it straddles the line between 'sophisticated' and 'pretentious' with grace. The author never takes the reader for a fool; concepts are explained simply and lyrically but are never dumbed down, and the fiction narrative aspect makes for an engaging and approachable medium for conveying these concepts. The characters are real and painfully relatable, and all throughout the book there is this sense that the author has somehow managed to convey through a book what it looks like to be a human in love. Mostly irrational, but wonderfully sweet.
Listen, I'm a romantic at heart, okay? I love love, or at least the concept of it. And Alain de Botton's Essays in Love is possibly one of the most charming, realistic, and poignant books on the topic that I have ever read. The writing is lilting and lyrical, and the chapters each hold their individual structure but function perfectly to pull the narrative together. I loved the idea of tackling these concepts in the philosophy of romantic love through the lens of a regular person's relationship, showing both the highs and the lows as well as all of the emotions and irrationalities that these moments bring forth. He manages to portray these complicated concepts so simply, and the relationship beats felt so real that they were almost familiar. Which is nuts, since I've literally never even bothered with romance before.
Where this book shines is certainly the writing style. Its prose is so smooth and lyrical, it straddles the line between 'sophisticated' and 'pretentious' with grace. The author never takes the reader for a fool; concepts are explained simply and lyrically but are never dumbed down, and the fiction narrative aspect makes for an engaging and approachable medium for conveying these concepts. The characters are real and painfully relatable, and all throughout the book there is this sense that the author has somehow managed to convey through a book what it looks like to be a human in love. Mostly irrational, but wonderfully sweet.
amyrezende's review
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jordyn_lightyear's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
beargardeners's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
4.75 stars for how much it called me out, made me feel perceived, made me realise that I wasn’t alone in my melodrama…
… but not a full 5 stars because I don’t know if what de Botton says is true. Will my camel truly become lighter and one day catch up with my body?
I am eagerly awaiting that day.
… but not a full 5 stars because I don’t know if what de Botton says is true. Will my camel truly become lighter and one day catch up with my body?
I am eagerly awaiting that day.
sophiejai's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
filmnoirz's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
500 days of summer but if tom and summer were worse
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Infidelity