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zamallama's review against another edition
3.0
Disappointing
Was recommended to me with high praise, didn’t really deliver. The author seems incredibly pessimistic and generally assumes the worst of people. I imagine this subject is much more tame than is described here.
Was recommended to me with high praise, didn’t really deliver. The author seems incredibly pessimistic and generally assumes the worst of people. I imagine this subject is much more tame than is described here.
taylorhousebooks's review
3.0
My boss loves De Botton and this was among books I was shelving yesterday so I grabbed it. Definitely different compared to other philosophical works I have read. Not bad, though. I would read more by him, I'm not sure this most recent work captures all of his style.
lauralantran_'s review
4.0
Wonderful! I can hear Alain's voice narrating the book to me in my head, and his philosophies are always sensible for and sensitive to both our bodies and souls.
meghanc303's review
2.0
This book had a humorous voice and it explored philosophies related to how humans think about sex, but that was about all it was--a light, funny, slightly intellectual book of an easy length. I wasn't wowed.
ganesh_n's review
3.0
On reading the title of the book, the first thought that came to my mind and I expect anybody to get is - "That doesn't seem to be a decent topic for a book."
That's exactly the problem. We look down on sex or have been conditioned to look down upon it as something indecent, immoral, and obscene.
As a result, we hold back from knowing more about it. Yet it commands a significant part of our happiness as an adult. This lack of understanding leads to forming of misconceptions. We make terrible mistakes that give us sorrow and misery that cannot be shared with anyone else, not even our partners.
This book definitely has some good thoughts and also revolting ideas. It gives a lot to think about on a topic that is not taught in school, but, one is expected to learn through experience - that too with just one chance at it.
As the book progressed, it planted the idea in my mind that perhaps marriage is a mistake and suffering.
Just sleep around with whomever you like and agree for the best physical relationship. and wait for death to knock at your door when it is time.
Of course, that's a tragic thought. That's how some books (combined with life experiences) make us feel.
Antoin sums up neatly in the conclusion that sex is the center of the Universe for most of humanity.
We do what we do, we buy what we buy, and we become who we are to attract a mate and to copulate. I do have some reservations in this conclusion as it calls for a longer discussion and exchange of ideas.
Anyhow, this is a good read. It does the job that any good book is expected to do - open our eyes and make us look at a topic with a better perspective. This time it is about sex - a taboo topic in the little part of the world I live in.
That's exactly the problem. We look down on sex or have been conditioned to look down upon it as something indecent, immoral, and obscene.
As a result, we hold back from knowing more about it. Yet it commands a significant part of our happiness as an adult. This lack of understanding leads to forming of misconceptions. We make terrible mistakes that give us sorrow and misery that cannot be shared with anyone else, not even our partners.
This book definitely has some good thoughts and also revolting ideas. It gives a lot to think about on a topic that is not taught in school, but, one is expected to learn through experience - that too with just one chance at it.
As the book progressed, it planted the idea in my mind that perhaps marriage is a mistake and suffering.
Just sleep around with whomever you like and agree for the best physical relationship. and wait for death to knock at your door when it is time.
Of course, that's a tragic thought. That's how some books (combined with life experiences) make us feel.
Antoin sums up neatly in the conclusion that sex is the center of the Universe for most of humanity.
We do what we do, we buy what we buy, and we become who we are to attract a mate and to copulate. I do have some reservations in this conclusion as it calls for a longer discussion and exchange of ideas.
Anyhow, this is a good read. It does the job that any good book is expected to do - open our eyes and make us look at a topic with a better perspective. This time it is about sex - a taboo topic in the little part of the world I live in.
kennethwade's review against another edition
2.0
Has some useful ideas, but also is incredibly heteronormative and male-centric. Please read a similar book by a woman or trans person instead of this.