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Comment les français ont inventé l'amour : Neuf siècles de passion et de romance by Marilyn Yalom
jillkt13's review against another edition
4.0
So I was led astray by the title of this book How the French Invented Love--doesn't that suggest a sociological explanation of the significance of love in French culture? Now of course, love is important in every culture. But to my romantic American Francophile mind, the French seem to have cornered the market on love. Stereotype or not, it seems to me that the French, both throughout history and today, are much more devoted to the pleasures of love. I was expecting a sociological exploration of this belief. In reading this, I wanted to learn: why do we associate the French so strongly with love? is the French emphasis on love fact or fiction? how do the French treat love differently from other cultures?
Unfortunately, this book somewhat broaches these questions but not sociologically. Rather, Yalom, who writes both congenially and informatively, takes us on a sweeping adventure through French love literature. She begins with the tragic story of Abelard and Heloise, whom she names the "patron saints" of French love. From there we discuss [a:Chrétien de Troyes|20903|Chrétien de Troyes|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1263599207p2/20903.jpg]' Arthurian romances and his focus on courtly love before moving to the invention of gallantry during the reign of Sun King Louis XIV. Then we investigate the Romantics' fixation/fascination on love as the absolute purpose of life and finally we explore the more modern cynicism toward love as found in [a: Proust|233619|Marcel Proust|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1189444962p2/233619.jpg] and Flaubert's [b:Madame Bovary|2175|Madame Bovary|Gustave Flaubert|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1335676143s/2175.jpg|2766347]. Yalom does not limit herself to heterosexual love either--lesbian and gay relationships are well-covered. What I found most interesting about this chronological expedition through French literature was the oscillation between periods of romantic attitudes toward love followed by periods of jaded attitudes toward love. A lot of French love literature is motivated by backlash toward these ideals.
While this book left me with a long list of French love stories to seek out, I didn't get the answer to my most pressing questions: do the French actually love differently? and if they do, why? This omission was somewhat assuaged by Yalom's inclusion of several personal anecdotes on French love. She tells charming real life stories of French lovers that are so utterly French in character that I can't help but believe that l'amour à la française is not merely imagined but truly exists.
Here's a LONG list of French works focused on love that Yalom has inspired me to read as soon as possible:
[b:The Lais of Marie de France|119079|The Lais of Marie de France|Marie de France|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1331917315s/119079.jpg|114648]
[b:The Princesse de Clèves|354364|The Princesse de Clèves|Madame de La Fayette|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1174023203s/354364.jpg|344556]
[b:Les Liaisons Dangereuses|49540|Les Liaisons Dangereuses|Pierre Choderlos de Laclos|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1298425654s/49540.jpg|3280025]
[b:Manon Lescaut|577246|Manon Lescaut |Abbé Prévost|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348371776s/577246.jpg|649139]
[b:The Misanthrope|752994|The Misanthrope|Molière|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328868192s/752994.jpg|685838]
[b:The Complete Claudine: Claudine at School; Claudine in Paris; Claudine Married; Claudine and Annie|89839|The Complete Claudine Claudine at School; Claudine in Paris; Claudine Married; Claudine and Annie|Colette|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1316125865s/89839.jpg|704679]
[b:Indiana|104260|Indiana|George Sand|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1171510382s/104260.jpg|1192753]
[b:Madame Bovary|2175|Madame Bovary|Gustave Flaubert|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1335676143s/2175.jpg|2766347]
[b:Cyrano De Bergerac|15638|Cyrano De Bergerac|Edmond Rostand|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1309203284s/15638.jpg|2327623]
[b:Remembrance of Things Past: Volume I - Swann's Way & Within a Budding Grove|190576|Remembrance of Things Past Volume I - Swann's Way & Within a Budding Grove |Marcel Proust|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320495451s/190576.jpg|184245]
[b:The Lover|275|The Lover|Marguerite Duras|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1353844338s/275.jpg|1009849]
So obviously that list suggests that you probably shouldn't pick this book up if you're not looking to add even MORE books to your already towering TBR pile. The Francophile in me, however, can't wait.
Unfortunately, this book somewhat broaches these questions but not sociologically. Rather, Yalom, who writes both congenially and informatively, takes us on a sweeping adventure through French love literature. She begins with the tragic story of Abelard and Heloise, whom she names the "patron saints" of French love. From there we discuss [a:Chrétien de Troyes|20903|Chrétien de Troyes|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1263599207p2/20903.jpg]' Arthurian romances and his focus on courtly love before moving to the invention of gallantry during the reign of Sun King Louis XIV. Then we investigate the Romantics' fixation/fascination on love as the absolute purpose of life and finally we explore the more modern cynicism toward love as found in [a: Proust|233619|Marcel Proust|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1189444962p2/233619.jpg] and Flaubert's [b:Madame Bovary|2175|Madame Bovary|Gustave Flaubert|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1335676143s/2175.jpg|2766347]. Yalom does not limit herself to heterosexual love either--lesbian and gay relationships are well-covered. What I found most interesting about this chronological expedition through French literature was the oscillation between periods of romantic attitudes toward love followed by periods of jaded attitudes toward love. A lot of French love literature is motivated by backlash toward these ideals.
While this book left me with a long list of French love stories to seek out, I didn't get the answer to my most pressing questions: do the French actually love differently? and if they do, why? This omission was somewhat assuaged by Yalom's inclusion of several personal anecdotes on French love. She tells charming real life stories of French lovers that are so utterly French in character that I can't help but believe that l'amour à la française is not merely imagined but truly exists.
Here's a LONG list of French works focused on love that Yalom has inspired me to read as soon as possible:
[b:The Lais of Marie de France|119079|The Lais of Marie de France|Marie de France|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1331917315s/119079.jpg|114648]
[b:The Princesse de Clèves|354364|The Princesse de Clèves|Madame de La Fayette|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1174023203s/354364.jpg|344556]
[b:Les Liaisons Dangereuses|49540|Les Liaisons Dangereuses|Pierre Choderlos de Laclos|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1298425654s/49540.jpg|3280025]
[b:Manon Lescaut|577246|Manon Lescaut |Abbé Prévost|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348371776s/577246.jpg|649139]
[b:The Misanthrope|752994|The Misanthrope|Molière|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328868192s/752994.jpg|685838]
[b:The Complete Claudine: Claudine at School; Claudine in Paris; Claudine Married; Claudine and Annie|89839|The Complete Claudine Claudine at School; Claudine in Paris; Claudine Married; Claudine and Annie|Colette|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1316125865s/89839.jpg|704679]
[b:Indiana|104260|Indiana|George Sand|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1171510382s/104260.jpg|1192753]
[b:Madame Bovary|2175|Madame Bovary|Gustave Flaubert|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1335676143s/2175.jpg|2766347]
[b:Cyrano De Bergerac|15638|Cyrano De Bergerac|Edmond Rostand|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1309203284s/15638.jpg|2327623]
[b:Remembrance of Things Past: Volume I - Swann's Way & Within a Budding Grove|190576|Remembrance of Things Past Volume I - Swann's Way & Within a Budding Grove |Marcel Proust|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320495451s/190576.jpg|184245]
[b:The Lover|275|The Lover|Marguerite Duras|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1353844338s/275.jpg|1009849]
So obviously that list suggests that you probably shouldn't pick this book up if you're not looking to add even MORE books to your already towering TBR pile. The Francophile in me, however, can't wait.
teaandbooklover's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book at the beginning and was so in to it. As it went on, I liked it considerably less, but still enjoyed reading some parts.
I found this in a book store on sale for $4 and it was the last copy, so having known nothing about it, I quickly picked it up and bought it for that great price.
What I loved most about this book is all the literary references, and there are many throughout! I have taken my highlighter through it so I may reference lots of authors and books I want to read in the future. I certainly did learn a lot about those authors too! It's not so much a book on love, as it is a book on how French authors have written *about* love through the centuries.
A keeper for me at least, for the sake of the literary references alone.
I found this in a book store on sale for $4 and it was the last copy, so having known nothing about it, I quickly picked it up and bought it for that great price.
What I loved most about this book is all the literary references, and there are many throughout! I have taken my highlighter through it so I may reference lots of authors and books I want to read in the future. I certainly did learn a lot about those authors too! It's not so much a book on love, as it is a book on how French authors have written *about* love through the centuries.
A keeper for me at least, for the sake of the literary references alone.
librarianonparade's review against another edition
4.0
The title of this book is somewhat misleading. This is not an exploration of how the French idea of love has influenced the Western world through novels, films, theatre, poetry, philosophy and art. There is no argument at all to this effect, and the book never strays outside of France to look at the impact of all of this cultural romantic outpouring. What it is, is a history of love as portrayed via French novels, films, theatre, poetry, philosophy and art. And as such it succeeds admirably.
It's an interesting read, ranging from the troubadours of the twelfth-century up to the Strauss-Kahn controversy in 2011. It takes in Abelard and Heloise, Lancelot and Guinivere, up to Satre and Beavouir, taking in both heterosexual and homosexual love. I know very little about French literature, but I found this exploration of love via the words of Rousseau, Hugo, Proust and others quite enlightening.
What I particularly found interesting is Yalom's argument that to the French, the line dividing love and sex is a very fine one. Whereas English literature is full of chaste lovers, Yalom argues that the French would not consider love without sex as a true, all-encompassing, fulfilling love. As a result, there is a strong current of physical love running through this book alongside the concept of romantic love.
As I said, an interesting read, well-worth the time, but the title is misleading. This is not, as the title suggests, an argument as to how the French idea of love has shaped and formed how the rest of the world views and experiences love. I would have given it an extra star had it been.
It's an interesting read, ranging from the troubadours of the twelfth-century up to the Strauss-Kahn controversy in 2011. It takes in Abelard and Heloise, Lancelot and Guinivere, up to Satre and Beavouir, taking in both heterosexual and homosexual love. I know very little about French literature, but I found this exploration of love via the words of Rousseau, Hugo, Proust and others quite enlightening.
What I particularly found interesting is Yalom's argument that to the French, the line dividing love and sex is a very fine one. Whereas English literature is full of chaste lovers, Yalom argues that the French would not consider love without sex as a true, all-encompassing, fulfilling love. As a result, there is a strong current of physical love running through this book alongside the concept of romantic love.
As I said, an interesting read, well-worth the time, but the title is misleading. This is not, as the title suggests, an argument as to how the French idea of love has shaped and formed how the rest of the world views and experiences love. I would have given it an extra star had it been.
rachelwilbury's review against another edition
3.0
It was fine, but also, how were the chapters related?
unabridgedchick's review against another edition
4.0
I'm a Francophile and I love reading; I love romance and I love -- for the most part -- the dramatic tensions that come with romantic stories. Writers on reading bring me joy and I get giddy delight when anyone geeks out about great books.
This book is a breezy, accessible look at French attitudes toward love through nine hundred years of French literature. The subtitle of this book -- Nine Hundred Years of Passion and Romance -- is a little more accurate than the title, I think, although the title is nice and catchy. Yalom argues that the French and French culture swims with a cultural understanding of love, sex, lust, desire, and everything that comes with those feelings due to centuries of literary appreciation of love.
Beginning with Abelard and Héloïse, Yalom combines biography, literary analysis, and her own opinions and observations on French life to argue that the vaunted concepts of love -- and the art of the love affair -- were created and perfected by the French. Chronologically, from the Medieval era on to the 21st century, she discusses the great authors and their works with passion and admiration, interspersing her commentary with personal stories and anecdotes.
While reading, I was reminded a bit of Pamela Druckerman's Bringing Up Bebe: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting, which my wife has just finished and won't stopped talking about. Among the many cultural tidbits Druckerman shared was the revelation that French don't believe motherhood has to be a part of a woman's core identity. The concept of the MILF, for example, doesn't exist in France because all women are sexy, whether they're mothers or not.
Yalom echoes some of that sentiment in this book as she compares contemporary French cultural attitudes about sex and love with American attitudes. I can't say how nuanced her commentary is -- and I suspect she's referring to liberal urban centers more so than other parts of France -- but it was interesting to see more than one book echo this sentiment.
Alas, I am prudish enough that Yalom's admiration for her French friends and their affairs didn't convince me that infidelity is romantic. But I loved her delight in French literature and the authors and books she discussed. Many have said you should keep a notepad while reading as you'll want to begin a list (I have!). Those interested in women in academia might enjoy this as well as Yalom often talks about her professional experience with these writers and works as well as her emotional connection to them.
This book is a breezy, accessible look at French attitudes toward love through nine hundred years of French literature. The subtitle of this book -- Nine Hundred Years of Passion and Romance -- is a little more accurate than the title, I think, although the title is nice and catchy. Yalom argues that the French and French culture swims with a cultural understanding of love, sex, lust, desire, and everything that comes with those feelings due to centuries of literary appreciation of love.
Beginning with Abelard and Héloïse, Yalom combines biography, literary analysis, and her own opinions and observations on French life to argue that the vaunted concepts of love -- and the art of the love affair -- were created and perfected by the French. Chronologically, from the Medieval era on to the 21st century, she discusses the great authors and their works with passion and admiration, interspersing her commentary with personal stories and anecdotes.
While reading, I was reminded a bit of Pamela Druckerman's Bringing Up Bebe: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting, which my wife has just finished and won't stopped talking about. Among the many cultural tidbits Druckerman shared was the revelation that French don't believe motherhood has to be a part of a woman's core identity. The concept of the MILF, for example, doesn't exist in France because all women are sexy, whether they're mothers or not.
Yalom echoes some of that sentiment in this book as she compares contemporary French cultural attitudes about sex and love with American attitudes. I can't say how nuanced her commentary is -- and I suspect she's referring to liberal urban centers more so than other parts of France -- but it was interesting to see more than one book echo this sentiment.
Alas, I am prudish enough that Yalom's admiration for her French friends and their affairs didn't convince me that infidelity is romantic. But I loved her delight in French literature and the authors and books she discussed. Many have said you should keep a notepad while reading as you'll want to begin a list (I have!). Those interested in women in academia might enjoy this as well as Yalom often talks about her professional experience with these writers and works as well as her emotional connection to them.
hannahmayreads's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
Well. That was interesting! And mesmerising. The French? They have a way with love. The Italians and the Spanish can be passionate too, but the French? Only they truly understand love.
And you'll come to understand that if you read this book. You'll also come to understand a lot of other things about people, and yourself. Everybody will react differently to each chapter (which focuses on a different era and time of love). You'll recognise some of the famous lovers, and others you won't. You'll understand some of the viewpoints, and others you won't. Sometimes you might even be convinced to change your mind. This book is very good at corrupting your morals...
No stone is left unturned. Not even homosexuality (both ways). The French have a bit of history for being a refuge. Most things go at some point in the history of love (and love-making) in France. It's fascinating to see how they're playing out today.
And you'll come to understand that if you read this book. You'll also come to understand a lot of other things about people, and yourself. Everybody will react differently to each chapter (which focuses on a different era and time of love). You'll recognise some of the famous lovers, and others you won't. You'll understand some of the viewpoints, and others you won't. Sometimes you might even be convinced to change your mind. This book is very good at corrupting your morals...
No stone is left unturned. Not even homosexuality (both ways). The French have a bit of history for being a refuge. Most things go at some point in the history of love (and love-making) in France. It's fascinating to see how they're playing out today.
gnomescottage's review against another edition
3.0
I've been an anglophile since I discovered Jane Austen in junior high and I studied English Lit in college (English Lit with emphasis on the English). I haven't read much French literature and so was complete clueless about most of the works mentioned in How the French Invented Love. Still, I found Yalom's study of both culture and literature to be interesting and enlightening.
I really enjoyed the first half of the book, but after about 200 pages, my enthusiam began to lag. Maybe this was because I plowed through Yalom's book in two days. Maybe it was because I have yet to read any of the books mentioned in the second half. Either way, to me it lost some of its charm during the last 150+ pages.
I really enjoyed the first half of the book, but after about 200 pages, my enthusiam began to lag. Maybe this was because I plowed through Yalom's book in two days. Maybe it was because I have yet to read any of the books mentioned in the second half. Either way, to me it lost some of its charm during the last 150+ pages.
starsabovejess's review against another edition
This was not what I was expecting going in! Rather than focus on the questions presented by the title, this book is more of a presentation of Yalom’s studies in French romantic literature throughout the ages. I would have loved to dive more into how the French idea of romance influenced their culture or vice versa. While I did enjoy the history and themes that were discussed in this book, it was also quite dry and not easily consumable.
librarianonparade's review against another edition
4.0
The title of this book is somewhat misleading. This is not an exploration of how the French idea of love has influenced the Western world through novels, films, theatre, poetry, philosophy and art. There is no argument at all to this effect, and the book never strays outside of France to look at the impact of all of this cultural romantic outpouring. What it is, is a history of love as portrayed via French novels, films, theatre, poetry, philosophy and art. And as such it succeeds admirably.
It's an interesting read, ranging from the troubadours of the twelfth-century up to the Strauss-Kahn controversy in 2011. It takes in Abelard and Heloise, Lancelot and Guinivere, up to Satre and Beavouir, taking in both heterosexual and homosexual love. I know very little about French literature, but I found this exploration of love via the words of Rousseau, Hugo, Proust and others quite enlightening.
What I particularly found interesting is Yalom's argument that to the French, the line dividing love and sex is a very fine one. Whereas English literature is full of chaste lovers, Yalom argues that the French would not consider love without sex as a true, all-encompassing, fulfilling love. As a result, there is a strong current of physical love running through this book alongside the concept of romantic love.
As I said, an interesting read, well-worth the time, but the title is misleading. This is not, as the title suggests, an argument as to how the French idea of love has shaped and formed how the rest of the world views and experiences love. I would have given it an extra star had it been.
It's an interesting read, ranging from the troubadours of the twelfth-century up to the Strauss-Kahn controversy in 2011. It takes in Abelard and Heloise, Lancelot and Guinivere, up to Satre and Beavouir, taking in both heterosexual and homosexual love. I know very little about French literature, but I found this exploration of love via the words of Rousseau, Hugo, Proust and others quite enlightening.
What I particularly found interesting is Yalom's argument that to the French, the line dividing love and sex is a very fine one. Whereas English literature is full of chaste lovers, Yalom argues that the French would not consider love without sex as a true, all-encompassing, fulfilling love. As a result, there is a strong current of physical love running through this book alongside the concept of romantic love.
As I said, an interesting read, well-worth the time, but the title is misleading. This is not, as the title suggests, an argument as to how the French idea of love has shaped and formed how the rest of the world views and experiences love. I would have given it an extra star had it been.
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