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The Art of Seduction: An Indispensible Primer on the Ultimate Form of Power by Robert Greene
idahobekah's review against another edition
2.0
I’m not going to downplay that there were things in this that were valuable and thought provoking. Will I ever use it? Probably? But I think the most valuable part of this book were the examples in history, and the real world examples you can peg for yourself.
I won’t go too deep here about what I hated about this book. Many of the 1 star reviewers covered my thoughts perfectly. The language and victimization of your “target” felt gross and felt like it promoted relationships that are unequal. Perhaps that’s the point when “The Art of Seduction” is all about tipping the scales in your favor to trick or manipulate someone into loving you.
I won’t go too deep here about what I hated about this book. Many of the 1 star reviewers covered my thoughts perfectly. The language and victimization of your “target” felt gross and felt like it promoted relationships that are unequal. Perhaps that’s the point when “The Art of Seduction” is all about tipping the scales in your favor to trick or manipulate someone into loving you.
skylercauldron's review against another edition
Oh my GOD what do you mean you open up with what amount to mental and emotional manipulation???? Bro what????
oprah_wimpy's review against another edition
1.0
Gross.
I was honestly hoping to read about the psychology of seduction. This book just describes over and over manipulation techniques and stories about those who have manipulated others. About halfway through the author repeatedly used the word "victim" as if those who will be using their "techniques" would be doing so maliciously. It made my skin crawl so hard and I could not finish it.
I was honestly hoping to read about the psychology of seduction. This book just describes over and over manipulation techniques and stories about those who have manipulated others. About halfway through the author repeatedly used the word "victim" as if those who will be using their "techniques" would be doing so maliciously. It made my skin crawl so hard and I could not finish it.
illyrian_wings's review against another edition
some very gross and creepy points were made
sofietiu's review against another edition
1.0
Fyi I didn’t finish the book, but I read half of it, and here are my thoughts.
Don’t like the way this book talks about people, it’s a shame to belittle our whole being and our capacity to love and seduce into categories where we should ‘abide by the rules’. To be everything and nothing at the same time.
Just one example if your of the ‘dandy type’: Don’t care about others opinions. Don’t people please, but make sure the opposite sex is satisfied with your behaviour. Refuse to conform to any standards, but do not stray too far from the norm.
Feels a little bit too much like the male written female character trope.
I found some truth and value in it, but I feel like you have to be very careful of what you take from it..
There are probably lots situations you would need to seduce someone, but to be this tactical and cold in a relationship is VERY disheartening to me. Where is the humanity? It seems so weird to distance yourself with tactics and calculations. You might succeed in seducing them but at what cost? I would feel extremely disconnected and distant. Where is the passion, the soulmates, the genuine interest in people.
I quote “Create a need, stir anxiety and discontent; a perfectly satisfied person cannot be seduced”…
1.5/5 stars
Don’t like the way this book talks about people, it’s a shame to belittle our whole being and our capacity to love and seduce into categories where we should ‘abide by the rules’. To be everything and nothing at the same time.
Just one example if your of the ‘dandy type’: Don’t care about others opinions. Don’t people please, but make sure the opposite sex is satisfied with your behaviour. Refuse to conform to any standards, but do not stray too far from the norm.
Feels a little bit too much like the male written female character trope.
I found some truth and value in it, but I feel like you have to be very careful of what you take from it..
There are probably lots situations you would need to seduce someone, but to be this tactical and cold in a relationship is VERY disheartening to me. Where is the humanity? It seems so weird to distance yourself with tactics and calculations. You might succeed in seducing them but at what cost? I would feel extremely disconnected and distant. Where is the passion, the soulmates, the genuine interest in people.
I quote “Create a need, stir anxiety and discontent; a perfectly satisfied person cannot be seduced”…
1.5/5 stars
nataliekching's review against another edition
4.0
Compared to 48 Laws of Power, the flow of The Art of Seduction dragged a bit in the first half. Although it was nice to know about the archetypes of seduction, I enjoyed reading about the process of seduction a lot more. It was overall interesting and it allowed me to reflect on unconscious and conscious habits people around me and I do in relationships. But like 48 Laws of Power, this book also has a cynical pov and creates the image that people prefer new and exciting people over those who are comfortable and familiar, as well as fantasy over reality. The thought of constantly putting up a front and playing a game sounds exhausting, but this book held a lot of truths that many of us would not like to admit.