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fuzzygazelle's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
A really insightful look to the place of love in society, and a really hopeful look at incorporating love into one's daily life. The framing of love as a conscious action one takes, a choice, is really interesting and forced me to consider my own actions, and take accountability for some of my own emotions on the topic. The range of considering love at the societal and individual level makes hooks' analysis very comprehensive. I also find reading about hooks' life very interesting, and while I don't align with all her spiritual beliefs, I still thought I got something out of reading her perspective on spirituality to incorporate into my own practice. At some points I felt as though some of the words put too much emphasis on generalising some groups of people (though not all the time, sometimes it did work more as a genuine critique of behaviours) and I do feel as though hooks at some points uses too broad of brush strokes to make her points that it comes across as overly naive or optimistic, even if you do accept that the book is intending to be hopeful. Even still, I do think the optimism is welcome in a world where as hooks discusses, we tend to default to cynicism and scepticism on the topic of love if we have been hurt by it before. Definitely recommend if you're looking to see a refreshing perspective on love, and how we can incorporate an approach to living guided by it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Domestic abuse, and Child abuse
maritareads's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Death, and Sexism
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Child abuse
sar_desch's review
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
A lot of intriguing opinions and quotes I found important, interesting, and still applicable today. Gender is discussed very binarily however, and therefore does seem to be dated. However, I still enjoyed reading this very feminist view on love, patriarchy, and society.
I could not relate to any of the spiritual Christianity writing however, and the last chapter on angels and a Bible passage almost had me drop this a whole star writing. But bell hooks is such an important feminist academic and I didn't want to let one aspect to ruin everything.
I could not relate to any of the spiritual Christianity writing however, and the last chapter on angels and a Bible passage almost had me drop this a whole star writing. But bell hooks is such an important feminist academic and I didn't want to let one aspect to ruin everything.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Drug abuse
jeimy's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
I thought I would like this book a lot more than I actually did, sadly! I really enjoyed learning about love as a theory, and I respect the arduous task of taking on such a colossal topic.
I was disappointed by her pervasive use of gendered language and her focus on heterosexual relationships. Even though she wrote the book 24 years ago, I think I expected her to be a bit more progressive than this.
I also was taken aback by the religious/church references. I understood them since I do have a christian background, but I wondered if they were the most effective arguments.Finishing the last chapter about angels was a drag.
I was disappointed by her pervasive use of gendered language and her focus on heterosexual relationships. Even though she wrote the book 24 years ago, I think I expected her to be a bit more progressive than this.
I also was taken aback by the religious/church references. I understood them since I do have a christian background, but I wondered if they were the most effective arguments.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse and Violence
lessa_riel's review against another edition
Writer needs a hood therapist instead of writing this book. Patronising and dated in its views it just made me angry that people thought this was concise and good!
Also, personally I had dealt with anise disclosures at work recently and seh talks too much about her personal abuse instead of making this an academic text.
Also, personally I had dealt with anise disclosures at work recently and seh talks too much about her personal abuse instead of making this an academic text.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Violence
Moderate: Physical abuse and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexism
murder_unicorn's review
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexism, Physical abuse, Racism, Emotional abuse, and Child abuse
takarakei's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
I will be buying this for everyone I know :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Grief, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Death, and Addiction
lindseyhall44's review against another edition
An absolute must read.
——-
““We all long for loving community. It enhances life’s joy. But many of us seek community solely to escape the fear of being alone. Knowing how to be solitary is central to the art of loving. When we can be alone, we can be with others without using them as means of escape.”
——-
““We all long for loving community. It enhances life’s joy. But many of us seek community solely to escape the fear of being alone. Knowing how to be solitary is central to the art of loving. When we can be alone, we can be with others without using them as means of escape.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Child abuse, Violence, Sexism, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Death
libellumartinae's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
3.5
I think that the main reason why I struggled with this book is because I went into it, expecting to find a solution for my own «lovelessness» as it's written in the book, instead the book is far more theoretical and in some parts far too idealistic for me, although I know it's the author's own purpose and goal. I do also believe that as this book isn't actual so many takes were not that updated and can be thought as obvious (I also didn't agree with some feminist takes). I did struggle although I have to admit that I enjoyed her writing style and exposition and will probably read more of her writing.
Content Warnings
Minor: Mental illness, Domestic abuse, and Child abuse
kirstenf's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse, Racism, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexism