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Essays in Love  By  cover art

Essays in Love

By: Alain de Botton
Narrated by: James Wilby
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Publisher's summary

Essays in Love is a stunningly original love story. Taking in Aristotle, Wittgenstein, history, religion and Groucho Marx, Alain de Botton charts the progress of a love affair from the first kiss to argument and reconciliation, from intimacy and tenderness to the onset of anxiety and heartbreak.

©1993 Alain de Botton (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about Essays in Love

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Every relationship you've ever analyzed

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I wouldn't recommend this book to all my friends but I know that some of them would enjoy it as much as I did. It's for romantics that think too much sometimes. It's for realists that love to fall in love nevertheless.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Essays in Love?

There are many memorable moments...but perhaps what stands out now after a couple weeks is the way intimacy in the couple is revealed and lost. The fight scenes are funny in a "oh yeah, I've been there" kinda way.

Have you listened to any of James Wilby’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

It was my first James Wilby book and I enjoyed his reading very much.

Who was the most memorable character of Essays in Love and why?

I guess it was the main male character because he's so introspective to the point of absurdity but also insightful.

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5 people found this helpful

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  • MM
  • 02-22-18

Brilliantly plucks and weaves love's nuances

What did you love best about Essays in Love?

The story is engaging. There are really good points made, great references, and de Botton analyzes the nuances of falling in and out of love with the perspective and depth of someone who's lived a thousand lives. The narrator's voice is very attractive.

What does James Wilby bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Great voice. Very warm and theatrical (not in an exaggerated way) at the same time.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. It was so hard to even go to sleep. I had my Audible on sleep timer several times but didn't want to miss anything to grogginess. So I would relisten the same parts the next day. This book is so wise.

Any additional comments?

Definitely listen to this.

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3 people found this helpful

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One day binge

Simply could not put this book down. There are so few stories, love stories fewer still, that capture real life so well. The book itself is a beautiful mix of philosophical topics with narrative that makes for such an enlightening and enjoyable listening experience. Very well performed, I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking for a realistic love story.

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2 people found this helpful

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what a creep

the author is an egotistical jerk who spends the entire book bemoaning how he has fallen madly and passionately in love with a woman who has the nerve to exist as herself rather than his idealized intellectual equal.

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1 person found this helpful

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I love this story.

I like the life nugget sprinkled through out this love story. It’s so real. Need to listen to it again.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Not really a novel

it was more of a reflection on human behaviour written partly in a story format. It was still a very moving book

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Superb!

If there was ever to be a road map on the topic of love and relationships, this would be it. This, second only to The Course of Love, another classic.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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Tedious

I have enjoyed many of de Botton's books but this one is tedious, disappointing. Not worth it.

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  • Overall
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Enjoyable read

I enjoyed this book thoroughly. I liked how it captured the man’s point of view throughout the relationship journey. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in understanding love in all its stages.

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Embracing ambiguity of love

Via an interesting and quite ordinary love story de Botton invites us to reflect on one of the most important aspect of life: romantic love.

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