julenetrippweaver 's review for:

Against Love: A Polemic by Laura Kipnis

4.0

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I remember all the buzz about this book. Groups were meeting to discuss it. I sought it out second hand and it's been sitting on my shelf for years. Finally, it was time. Many things I like in this book. But it is now already outdated with the additional political scandals from the ones in the Clinton years she talks about. The book gets at lots of truth about our society, about relationships, marriage, politics, why sex is a focus on our political scene, and she is smart. I loved the ending, so I'm glad I made it through to the end. But I'm not clear how to change things in relationships that become stable sameness and keep us tempered to the consumerist culture. As she says those things do bring us joy. It's hard to acknowledge death. It's hard to trust. Her book is a good one for anyone attempting to answer questions about love and whatever stage of a relationship they are in. And it gives wood to the fire about the issue of gay marriage.