Scan barcode
itszosia's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Sexism and Misogyny
Minor: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Drug abuse
gracescanlon's review against another edition
3.0
I agreed with some of the ideas hooks presented. However, I found also that multiple ideas in this book were either gross oversimplifications — ironic in a book centered on a topic as complex as love — or entirely incorrect. These flawed ideas, especially given the contexts in which they were discussed, could be dangerous to a person’s wellbeing.
Also, as a woman no longer in her mid-teen years but her mid-twenties, I found hooks’ arguments superficial. They were more like statements than arguments. This frustrated me, because I would have appreciated any explanation as to the development of these claims. I would’ve appreciated a specific supporting example, whether from hooks’ own life and experience or another’s, or even a detailed hypothetical situation, even more.
TL;DR - I found All About Love to be a vague and superficial commentary about one of the most complex concepts that has puzzled humans throughout our history. Some of the ideas hooks presented were oversimplifications and/or incorrect, which I believe to be counterintuitive to her intention when she set out to write this book.
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Child abuse
keeganrb's review
3.5
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Child abuse, and Grief
Minor: Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Addiction
jayisreading's review
2.25
All things considered, writing about love is a huge undertaking, especially to break it down the way hooks did. However, I think this book is of its time (first published in 1999) in its language and understanding of the world. If there’s anything I’ve come to realize while making my way through this book, it’s that love is ever-changing and difficult to explain given everything that’s happening in the world every day. hooks tried, and I think there were some valuable points to take away from this book, but it didn’t make the impact I was hoping it would.
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Grief, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Addiction, Cancer, Death, and Emotional abuse
corneliusmcstrawberry's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny
Moderate: Racism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Grief, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Addiction, Cancer, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, and Death
dmbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Child abuse
rieviolet's review against another edition
2.5
On one hand, I really enjoyed some of the author's reflections, for example on the devaluation of friendships in favour of romantic bonds (although I think it was not developed much and a good portion of the book then focused mostly on romantic love) and on the negative effects of patriarchy.
And I really appreciated the definition of love that hooks included in the book: "the will to extend one’s self for the purpose of nurturing one’s own or another’s spiritual growth".
On the other, some reflections did not resonate with me just as much and I struggled to really absorb them, maybe I needed some more in-depth analysis/comment in certain chapters, rather than just vague and general statements.
Some other aspects of the book also left me a bit unconvinced , such as: a framework very much heteronormative and binarist in terms of gender; the sections on work and love; the section critizing Monica Lewinsky (a very uncomfortable passage to read that I could have done without); the reflections about forgiveness (especially when in relation to queer people, thank you but I'm going to stay very far away from bigoted and hurtful people if I am able to do so, even if they are family members).
Also some parts of the book just are not for me personally. Whenever religion, biblical scriptures, angels etc. get mentioned I turn into that Mike Wazowski's meme, "Put that thing back where it came from or so help me!". But that is obviously on me and people who are religious and /or spiritual will certainly connect more with those parts.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Sexism, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Death, Physical abuse, Lesbophobia, Child abuse, and Grief
Minor: Cancer, Addiction, and Suicidal thoughts
krys_kilz's review
4.0
I struggled with her cisheteronormative framing of romantic relationships and love - every time I read the words male and female I wanted to screech - along with the more Christian/religious content. I also didn't like the section on love and work - an analysis that really lacked an examination of capitalism and hierarchical power dynamics in the workplace - or the vaguely saneist language throughout around narcissism, madness, and addiction.
Overall, I think this is an important read and offers a lot of sweet wisdom about love and the importance of community. I would just suggest reading with a critical eye.
"Even though we are more likely to be hurt by someone we know than a stranger, our fear is directed toward the unknown and the unfamiliar. That fear brings with it intense paranoia and a constant obsession with safety."
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Misogyny
sderrig's review against another edition
5.0
Minor: Abandonment, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Homophobia, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
picoledenaranja's review against another edition
3.0
Moderate: Child abuse