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leeloo218's review
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Very informative and thought-provoking. Worth going back to to reread.
julcoh's review against another edition
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Not necessarily groundbreaking at any point, but bursting with a combination of psychological/sociological musings and actionable examples that I think difficult to find in the same text. It's well written with a number of particularly beautiful passages I flagged to read again in the future and think through.
lsparrow's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book about sex in long term domestic relationships.
I find her approach to clients much broader and creative than many standard approaches.
I find her approach to clients much broader and creative than many standard approaches.
mmanuelap's review against another edition
3.0
I discovered "Mating in Captivity" through Rebel Bookclub, where it was selected as the book of the month. Approaching it with no specific expectations, I found myself pleasantly surprised by its exploration of the possibility of maintaining passion and intimacy in long-term relationships. Esther Perel challenges the conventional belief that intimacy and eroticism are mutually exclusive, asserting that the tension between security and desire is crucial for a fulfilling relationship. This aspect alone makes the book worthwhile, offering readers the vocabulary to discuss the components of a healthy relationship.
Perel delves into various facets of modern relationships, examining elements such as routine, familiarity, and the impact of autonomy on sexual desire. The insights and advice provided on navigating the complexities of balancing intimacy and passion within committed relationships are valuable. However, the book's reliance on frequent "real-life" examples followed by more "scientific" explanations became somewhat tiresome for me. The explanations themselves seemed sufficient, and I noted certain focus on heterosexual partnerships, a reflection of its 2006 publication context I suppose.
While I acknowledge that newer books may offer deeper insights, considering societal changes between 2006 and now, "Mating in Captivity" serves as an excellent introduction to the topic and encourages further exploration. The key takeaway for me was the encouragement to reconsider traditional notions of love and marriage, while understanding the significance of maintaining individuality and mystery.
Perel delves into various facets of modern relationships, examining elements such as routine, familiarity, and the impact of autonomy on sexual desire. The insights and advice provided on navigating the complexities of balancing intimacy and passion within committed relationships are valuable. However, the book's reliance on frequent "real-life" examples followed by more "scientific" explanations became somewhat tiresome for me. The explanations themselves seemed sufficient, and I noted certain focus on heterosexual partnerships, a reflection of its 2006 publication context I suppose.
While I acknowledge that newer books may offer deeper insights, considering societal changes between 2006 and now, "Mating in Captivity" serves as an excellent introduction to the topic and encourages further exploration. The key takeaway for me was the encouragement to reconsider traditional notions of love and marriage, while understanding the significance of maintaining individuality and mystery.
annaofjesup's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism and Sexual content
Minor: Body shaming, Abandonment, Infertility, and Rape