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A review by librarianonparade
How the French Invented Love: Nine Hundred Years of Passion and Romance by Marilyn Yalom
4.0
The title of this book is somewhat misleading. This is not an exploration of how the French idea of love has influenced the Western world through novels, films, theatre, poetry, philosophy and art. There is no argument at all to this effect, and the book never strays outside of France to look at the impact of all of this cultural romantic outpouring. What it is, is a history of love as portrayed via French novels, films, theatre, poetry, philosophy and art. And as such it succeeds admirably.
It's an interesting read, ranging from the troubadours of the twelfth-century up to the Strauss-Kahn controversy in 2011. It takes in Abelard and Heloise, Lancelot and Guinivere, up to Satre and Beavouir, taking in both heterosexual and homosexual love. I know very little about French literature, but I found this exploration of love via the words of Rousseau, Hugo, Proust and others quite enlightening.
What I particularly found interesting is Yalom's argument that to the French, the line dividing love and sex is a very fine one. Whereas English literature is full of chaste lovers, Yalom argues that the French would not consider love without sex as a true, all-encompassing, fulfilling love. As a result, there is a strong current of physical love running through this book alongside the concept of romantic love.
As I said, an interesting read, well-worth the time, but the title is misleading. This is not, as the title suggests, an argument as to how the French idea of love has shaped and formed how the rest of the world views and experiences love. I would have given it an extra star had it been.
It's an interesting read, ranging from the troubadours of the twelfth-century up to the Strauss-Kahn controversy in 2011. It takes in Abelard and Heloise, Lancelot and Guinivere, up to Satre and Beavouir, taking in both heterosexual and homosexual love. I know very little about French literature, but I found this exploration of love via the words of Rousseau, Hugo, Proust and others quite enlightening.
What I particularly found interesting is Yalom's argument that to the French, the line dividing love and sex is a very fine one. Whereas English literature is full of chaste lovers, Yalom argues that the French would not consider love without sex as a true, all-encompassing, fulfilling love. As a result, there is a strong current of physical love running through this book alongside the concept of romantic love.
As I said, an interesting read, well-worth the time, but the title is misleading. This is not, as the title suggests, an argument as to how the French idea of love has shaped and formed how the rest of the world views and experiences love. I would have given it an extra star had it been.