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A review by kelseymfox21
Love, in Theory: Ten Stories by E.J. Levy
4.0
This book is the kind a reader should keep for easy reading before going to sleep, or something to flip through on a slow afternoon. Love, In Theory is a relaxed read, but more than that it is quirky and leaves you giggling to yourself because we have all been the characters on these pages. The cover of this book states that the book is ten pieces of short fiction in the dealings of life, love, and relationships- yet E. J. Levy has created here ten stories that mirror anyone who has ever waded into the dating pool. We have all been the woman who packed a beautiful picnic meal for her boyfriend only for him to comment on the impracticality of it all, and in turn we have all been the family outcast at a wedding when the truth of your father’s affair and mistress comes to light.
Each piece is written from the perspective of a completely different character with no surface ties to the other stories in this book, yet Levy makes the reader forget that all of these were written by one author, creating ten completely unique narrators with their own personality and own views on love. One story is told from the view of a philosopher whose narrative is more longwinded and thoughtful than others, while in contrast another is told from the point of view of a mental institution worker who speaks in short sentences and never wonders about the divinity of monogamy or the morality of lovers. The one thing that all these characters share in common, the piece of evidence that links them to Levy’s writing style, is the satirical and witty narrative that each character makes of their situation. It is not only refreshing but also relatable as each character faces a different facet of the turmoil that love can often bring. Levy also does a fantastic job of creating characters that are real in the sense that they all have down-to-earth jobs, budgets, and they get Vietnamese take-out for one.
Other than the wit of the characters, they are linked by an underlying theme of adultery that sneaks into almost all ten of Levy’s fiction pieces. Affairs can be an old and tired subject for fiction, yet Levy approaches it from so many different characters that it becomes a topic worthy of fascination. Sometimes the narrator is the one cheating but justifies it because they are tired in their long relationship, and other times it is the faithful narrator who is cheated on. Regardless, the adultery in Love, in Theory is unique to every story Levy has included here, and addresses a different issue that sometimes comes with relationships and love; getting too comfortable, the loss of passion, resentment, and the question begging if the institution of marriage can truly stay monogamous ‘til death do the poor bastards part.
Overall, E. J. Levy has created a delightful read on the bittersweet pains new love offers, and the growing pains of worn-in relationships. This book is a great read for anyone looking for a quick and fun read, but do not come to this collection of stories looking for a deep, soul-wrenching analysis of love. Instead, come to this book ready to face your own experiences; told by the tales of ten people who clumsily fumble through dating in the adult world, and whose happy ending is sometimes not a grand wedding, but yet a brownstone apartment, with chipping paint and creaky floors, that is on the other side of town from your ex and his new girlfriend.
Each piece is written from the perspective of a completely different character with no surface ties to the other stories in this book, yet Levy makes the reader forget that all of these were written by one author, creating ten completely unique narrators with their own personality and own views on love. One story is told from the view of a philosopher whose narrative is more longwinded and thoughtful than others, while in contrast another is told from the point of view of a mental institution worker who speaks in short sentences and never wonders about the divinity of monogamy or the morality of lovers. The one thing that all these characters share in common, the piece of evidence that links them to Levy’s writing style, is the satirical and witty narrative that each character makes of their situation. It is not only refreshing but also relatable as each character faces a different facet of the turmoil that love can often bring. Levy also does a fantastic job of creating characters that are real in the sense that they all have down-to-earth jobs, budgets, and they get Vietnamese take-out for one.
Other than the wit of the characters, they are linked by an underlying theme of adultery that sneaks into almost all ten of Levy’s fiction pieces. Affairs can be an old and tired subject for fiction, yet Levy approaches it from so many different characters that it becomes a topic worthy of fascination. Sometimes the narrator is the one cheating but justifies it because they are tired in their long relationship, and other times it is the faithful narrator who is cheated on. Regardless, the adultery in Love, in Theory is unique to every story Levy has included here, and addresses a different issue that sometimes comes with relationships and love; getting too comfortable, the loss of passion, resentment, and the question begging if the institution of marriage can truly stay monogamous ‘til death do the poor bastards part.
Overall, E. J. Levy has created a delightful read on the bittersweet pains new love offers, and the growing pains of worn-in relationships. This book is a great read for anyone looking for a quick and fun read, but do not come to this collection of stories looking for a deep, soul-wrenching analysis of love. Instead, come to this book ready to face your own experiences; told by the tales of ten people who clumsily fumble through dating in the adult world, and whose happy ending is sometimes not a grand wedding, but yet a brownstone apartment, with chipping paint and creaky floors, that is on the other side of town from your ex and his new girlfriend.