A review by jinglebellyee
The Course of Love by Alain de Botton

emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I am conflicted!!! I really liked how the author explored the non-romantic side of love, like what goes beyond the typical “how did you guys meet?” and how choosing to stay in love is really a huge commitment especially when work and kids come into the picture.. The blend between fiction (the story of Rabih and Kirsten) and non-fiction (author’s commentary) was very interesting. And inside I think it was the author’s commentary that made me kind of want to finish the book? Because the fictional story was quite plain – I acknowledge that not every love story needs to be super dramatic and in fact I love how mundane and normal they love story was but I think it was the lack of character building that made me feel a bit distant from the both of them. 

I hated how the author justified Rabih’s infidelity. It should never ever be justified, not in any circumstances. And the author chose to have Rabih cover up for the sake of their “marriage”. At one point he even suspected Kirsten being disloyal to him?? That was really the epitome of male gaze and misogyny 
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