Friday, October 2, 2020

Essays in Love - Alain de Botton

 Alain de Botton is a philosopher and author who has founded the social enterprises - 'Living Architecture' and 'School of Life'. He has written several books. He wrote 'Essays in love' when he was 24. It sold two million copies. Alain decided not to write a novel unlike most writers do and wrote a story interspersed with thoughts like in an essay.


It is the story of the narrator who meets Chloe on an aircraft and they fall in love. They go through stages like Romantic Fatalism, Subtext o Seduction, Authenticity, Marxism, False Notes, Intimacy, I confirmation, Fear of Happiness, Romantic Terrorism, Psycho Fatalsim, Jesus Complex and Love Lessons. He goes through all these phases with Chloe and they get attracted, drawn, fight, repel and finally split. It does seem like he is talking to you about your experience which is where the book shines through. And of course, he cites all the great thinkers and writers and their thoughts on love, sex, economy, politics as his love story unfolds.

A very interesting book indeed. Light but makes you think and feel. 

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