zydecovivo's review

Go to review page

informative reflective slow-paced

3.75

I was looking for a book to fulfill the prompt for the StoryGraph Genre Challenge 2024 “a nonfiction book about psychology.” The psychologist Esther Perel was recommended, and while this particular title was not one that initially piqued my interest, it was one of few offered on Libby by my libraries. As someone who has never been in a long-term sexual relationship, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to connect with anything in the book. I will admit I did find it difficult to get through. I began reading the ebook version and it took me over a week to get less than halfway through. I was able to get through the audiobook much quicker, though it did take a second to get used to Perel’s voice and reading style. However, I still found quite a few gems of wisdom throughout that I think apply to more than an intimate relationship. I made more highlights in this book than in any other book in the past year. Considering what we need in relationships and how they can change is helpful. Perel also roots her theories in stories of her patients, which helpfully illustrate different thoughts and situations. While I did sometimes wish there was more scientific testing to back them up, I know this is psychology and there are still many mysteries we don’t understand about the human brain. I didn’t always agree with Perel’s statements, but I found the book thought provoking. It’s also a testament to her experience that her theories and writing are just as, if not more, applicable to relationships today as it was almost 20 years ago. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

annaofjesup's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings
More...