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bonfeld's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
Reviewing this book is hard. I went in with super high expectations. I do think that despite any shortcomings, this book is an essential read for its willingness to define love and its commentary on the inner workings of love in ourselves and with others. Yes, there was a lot of gender essentialism, it was very centered on cis het relationships, yes it was weird that altho she emphasizes that romantic relationships should not be the only central relationships in our lives, every example of love she gave was about romantic love… but the overarching conversation about love as an action that leaves no room for manipulation, holding others back, abuse, etc. and distinguishing love from care were important.
Some people took issue with her insertion of religion and the last chapter about angels. Yes, there are several parts of the book that are preachy, where she just says things in a way that squashes questioning it, but that’s philosophy writing for you… In my opinion, the religious aspects were more to be taken as a metaphor - people look towards god and angels as a source of spirituality and divine ness, love can fulfill the same.
Like I said, I think this is an essential read that allows you to take away what’s important/resonates with you and leave what doesn’t.
Some people took issue with her insertion of religion and the last chapter about angels. Yes, there are several parts of the book that are preachy, where she just says things in a way that squashes questioning it, but that’s philosophy writing for you… In my opinion, the religious aspects were more to be taken as a metaphor - people look towards god and angels as a source of spirituality and divine ness, love can fulfill the same.
Like I said, I think this is an essential read that allows you to take away what’s important/resonates with you and leave what doesn’t.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Misogyny
mallory10100's review against another edition
i just wasn’t in the mood for non-fiction books
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Racism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Biphobia, Grief, Lesbophobia, and Mental illness
sderrig's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Abandonment, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Homophobia, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
naturallybgrace's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
brilliant. a must read for every person. bell hooks’ work is a treasure for us all, all about love is merely the beginning. “when we are loving we openly and honestly express care, affection, responsibility, respect, commitment, and trust.”
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
bookishcori's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Sexism, and Misogyny
peachani's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
slow-paced
2.0
I was really struck by the first page of this book, and hoped that the rest would resonate as well. While there were parts that I found interesting, it was hard for me to connect fully with this book, as hooks presents her opinion as fact. I think she is on to something, but I would love to see this explored in a more scientific manner. That being said, that approach may be impossible, because it isn't possible to exist in a world without misogyny.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship
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