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lyanaareads's review against another edition
3.0
Wow what a journey! I almost dnf. This was Alain’s first book and i could see how it seems personal. This book can be read both as a story and also as a philosophy book on love.
One of my favourite takeaways from this book is when Alain highlighted that as lovers we need to believe and have faith as opposed to the philosophic impulse, which is to doubt and enquire. A lover should prefer the risk of being wrong and in love to being in doubt and without love.
One of my favourite takeaways from this book is when Alain highlighted that as lovers we need to believe and have faith as opposed to the philosophic impulse, which is to doubt and enquire. A lover should prefer the risk of being wrong and in love to being in doubt and without love.
jesslolsen's review against another edition
There were some paragraphs that I found though provoking and that really resonated with me, and others that I found frustrating and ridiculous (especially the jam argument and his reaction to her shoes
nabilaandta's review against another edition
5.0
I might have highlighted almost every damn line of this book... and it just jumped to one of my favs! <3
alliemco's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
4.0
★★★★ (4/5)
This book is like sitting down for a late-night chat with your closest friends about love, philosophy, and everything in between. De Botton has a knack for making philosophy accessible to the masses, and this book is no exception. While he might not be introducing groundbreaking ideas to traditional philosophy, he's certainly sparking meaningful conversations.
What's great about "Essays In Love" is that it's not about being right or politically correct—it's about speaking from the heart and sharing personal perspectives. It's like a cozy gathering where you can discuss love openly, without any academic pretense.
So, if you're looking for a thought-provoking yet laid-back read that delves into the complexities of love, this book is definitely worth checking out.
This book is like sitting down for a late-night chat with your closest friends about love, philosophy, and everything in between. De Botton has a knack for making philosophy accessible to the masses, and this book is no exception. While he might not be introducing groundbreaking ideas to traditional philosophy, he's certainly sparking meaningful conversations.
What's great about "Essays In Love" is that it's not about being right or politically correct—it's about speaking from the heart and sharing personal perspectives. It's like a cozy gathering where you can discuss love openly, without any academic pretense.
So, if you're looking for a thought-provoking yet laid-back read that delves into the complexities of love, this book is definitely worth checking out.
clee22's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting scientific/philosophical take on an abstract subject, represented through story telling. Relatable, insightful, poignant.
carolyn57's review against another edition
1.0
It just wasn't my cup of tea. I know that a lot of people have loved this book but I just can't stand it.....
pawlonardo's review against another edition
3.0
Honestly, it might be too high of a score for this book.
I found it filled with insight about love and how a person can romanticize everything, but my god, the ick I got from the way the narrator described his relation to Chole.
It's "the good guy trope" that is just too perfect for his own good. How can Chole (or rather any woman) deserve him? There is this misogynistic subtext that probably escapes a lot of men, but it does not make it ok.
The other thing is that this book is philosophical, and as with many of these kinds of books, it presents matters in a much deeper way than they actually are (partly to mask the narrator's misogyny).
The shoe incident is essentially a grandiose philosophical stretch of why would the narrator "care" so much about Chloe as to be "forced" to tell her that her shoes were ugly. Of course, he did it from a place of love and care, not because he is egotistical and cares about how she makes him look to others; that would be an outrageous conclusion.
I found it filled with insight about love and how a person can romanticize everything, but my god, the ick I got from the way the narrator described his relation to Chole.
It's "the good guy trope" that is just too perfect for his own good. How can Chole (or rather any woman) deserve him? There is this misogynistic subtext that probably escapes a lot of men, but it does not make it ok.
The other thing is that this book is philosophical, and as with many of these kinds of books, it presents matters in a much deeper way than they actually are (partly to mask the narrator's misogyny).
The shoe incident is essentially a grandiose philosophical stretch of why would the narrator "care" so much about Chloe as to be "forced" to tell her that her shoes were ugly. Of course, he did it from a place of love and care, not because he is egotistical and cares about how she makes him look to others; that would be an outrageous conclusion.
ckrupiej's review against another edition
4.0
"Quando o mundo estiver unido na busca do conhecimento, e não mais lutando por dinheiro e poder, então nossa sociedade poderá enfim evoluir a um novo nível"
madhukari's review against another edition
5.0
Philosophical meditations on the state of being in love expressed in the form of a story. Reminded me of Milan Kundera's prose.