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The Course of Love

An unforgettable story of love and marriage from the author of bestselling novel Essays in Love

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The Course of Love

By: Alain de Botton
Narrated by: Julian Rhind-Tutt
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About this listen

Penguin presents, the unabridged, downloadable, audiobook edition of The Course of Love by Alain de Botton, read by Julian Rhind-Tutt.

SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER

From one of our great thinkers on modern life and the human condition - an unforgettable story of love and marriage from the author of bestselling novel Essays in Love as well as The Consolations of Philosophy, Religion for Atheists and The School of Life

'The Course of Love probes the very heart of marriage, its shifts and squalls, its great adventure, with such forensic tenderness. I laughed a lot, too' Deborah Moggach

'Engaging, sympathetic, acutely perceptive... There's a refreshing honesty in what de Botton has to say' Guardian

'Anyone who is, has been, or would ever like to be, in a satisfying, successful relationship, would do well to read de Botton' Irish Independent

'He debunks the myth of the happily ever after with a painfully familiar, often hilarious detailing of petty arguments, the occasional extra-marital fling, the moments of loneliness and the declining frequency of sex... It's not only hugely enjoyable but life enhancing too' Daily Mail

Modern love is never easy. Society is obsessed with stories of romance, but what comes after happily ever after?

This is a love story with a difference. From dating to marriage, from having kids to having affairs, it follows the progress of a single ordinary relationship: tender, messy, hilarious, painful, and entirely un-Romantic. It is a love story for the modern world, chronicling the daily intimacies, the blazing rows, the endless tiny gestures that make up a life shared between two people. Moving and deeply insightful, The Course of Love offers us a window into essential truths about the nature of love.

 Contemporary Contemporary Romance Dark Humour Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction Romance Romantic Comedy Women's Fiction Comedy

Critic Reviews

Alain de Botton's gift is to prompt us to think about how we live (Jeanette Winterson)
Curious, humorous and dazzling... It contains more human interest than most fiction (John Updike on 'How Proust Can Change Your Life')
His prose is lovely: clear, gently persuasive, light of touch

Alain de Botton likes to take big, complex subjects and write about them with thoughtful and deceptive innocence
All stars
Most relevant

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

Yes, Alain De Botton is an outstanding human being. If he decides to write about something, he makes sure he knows everything about the topic. He writes because he is genuinely passionate about helping people to live better lives. But instead of being preachy, he comes down to the heart level, and says, hey look, I've noticed these things and it's helped me live a better more aware life, maybe it could help you too, if you're interested. And far from being a part of the typical American style self-help guru, Alain does not set himself up on any kind pedestal, nor do you feel when listening, that you are being judged. It is simply an observation. Anyway, this book helped me understand my husband better. And for that, our relationship is better. Loved it to the end, and didn't want the story to end, I wanted to hear how they coped with the next stage of their lives - middle age, and then grandparenthood - Alain - are you listening?!

Have you listened to any of Julian Rhind-Tutt’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Beautiful voice, with ever so subtle intonations and ability to convey just the right amount of feeling into his voice.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, when the characters finally came to terms with each others shortcomings, and decided to move forward together anyway, just appreciating the other person and not trying to change them. Paradoxically, people will begin to change in an organic way once this happens.

Any additional comments?

I recommend all of Alain's writing, and even go to the website for the School of Life of which he is a co-founder. He is not a lofty self-help guru, just an extremely intelligent human being who is dedicated to using his talents to make people's lives better. I have devoured most of his books.

Loved this

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This book is so lovely. I was touched; how the author captures the mundane and makes it monumental is so beautiful to me. I laughed, I cried, I felt quietly angry, I felt peace. A deeply relatable work and, in many ways, essential reading/listening. The reader's voice is soothing and so very easy and enjoyable to listen to.

Do everyone a favour and read this book!

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An incredible narrative written with the most compelling use of language. Narrator brings it to life and does it justice as well. I felt like the main characters were incredibly relatable and I loved hearing their story. I might listen to it again right now.

I didn’t want it to end

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Great read/listen, really interesting points that are very well made. I would listen to this again and will certainly be trying to convince my husband to listen to it.

I can see why people are raving about this book!

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I think it would be hard for anyone to be unmoved by this book. I will be recommending this to all my friends

An important disection of modern love.

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