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waybeyondblue's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Infidelity
Moderate: Misogyny, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
kendranicole28's review
4.5
his unconventional mashup of novel and philosophical treatise follows the love story of a young couple, from their first meeting on a flight from Paris to London to their first date, first argument, growing attachments and blending of lives, and eventual heartbreak as the relationship runs its course. Their fable-like story is told in vignettes that are interspersed with the narrator’s observations on the nature of love.
The format of the book—with its numbered paragraphs and pragmatic storytelling—takes some getting used to. This isn’t a traditional love story, but an opportunity to examine the stages of romance. The author explores questions about what it means to fall in and out of love, how our relationships feed into our own self-perceptions, the hypocrisies present within relationships, and the unhealthy patterns that can arise within couples. The book also delves into other philosophical themes related to happiness, meaning, self-knowledge, and faith.
Though it took me a few chapters to settle into this one, I ultimately found it to be an insightful and engaging read. It’s been years since I embarked on a new relationship myself, yet I could relate to so much of this story and it led me to reflect on the “why” and “how” of my own marriage. This is written from a secular perspective and I realized that many of the questions posed and left unanswered within the book HAVE been answered for me, thanks to my Christian faith. As I read this story of fractured love, I found myself immensely grateful to be in a Biblical marriage rooted in God’s love. It would be interesting to read this same story told from a Christian perspective; the observations would be strikingly different!
This book is a great place to start for those with an interest in philosophy but no desire to delve into a hefty academic tome. This is accessible and relatable, and will have you reading (and living) love stories with new eyes.
My Rating: 4.5 Stars (Rounded to 4 Stars on Goodreads) // Book Format: Kindle
The format of the book—with its numbered paragraphs and pragmatic storytelling—takes some getting used to. This isn’t a traditional love story, but an opportunity to examine the stages of romance. The author explores questions about what it means to fall in and out of love, how our relationships feed into our own self-perceptions, the hypocrisies present within relationships, and the unhealthy patterns that can arise within couples. The book also delves into other philosophical themes related to happiness, meaning, self-knowledge, and faith.
Though it took me a few chapters to settle into this one, I ultimately found it to be an insightful and engaging read. It’s been years since I embarked on a new relationship myself, yet I could relate to so much of this story and it led me to reflect on the “why” and “how” of my own marriage. This is written from a secular perspective and I realized that many of the questions posed and left unanswered within the book HAVE been answered for me, thanks to my Christian faith. As I read this story of fractured love, I found myself immensely grateful to be in a Biblical marriage rooted in God’s love. It would be interesting to read this same story told from a Christian perspective; the observations would be strikingly different!
This book is a great place to start for those with an interest in philosophy but no desire to delve into a hefty academic tome. This is accessible and relatable, and will have you reading (and living) love stories with new eyes.
My Rating: 4.5 Stars (Rounded to 4 Stars on Goodreads) // Book Format: Kindle
ihyuca's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
gabija's review
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
annalenawrites's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was great. I love the way it's written, how it merges the literary categories of novel and essay. Although I don't agree with every idea or argument, most of them resonated with me, I loved the style, the philosophical and intellectual parts, the quotes, as well as the descriptions of love and being in a relationship and feeling certain things. Some of it seemed melodramatic or pretentious at times but that didn't bother me, it actually made sense in the context of the book. I definitely recognized myself in the narrator which made me feel seen and also made me realize that I'm not actually unique, as mentioned in the book. I would absolutely recommend this and read it again in the future and I find it fascinating that the author was so young when he wrote it!
yunjati's review against another edition
It's good tho tapi slow sangat i probably read it later kot just to know men's pov when they're in love. Maybe i need to read it when im having a slow day jugak entahla. I bet it's a good book and i was trying to get out if my reading slump so i dropped this one huhu