enlightening

extremely good narrator, indifferent to taking sides, and reading so even the most illogical ideas become logical. The storyline goes through and sheds light on every aspect of marriage, shedding light on modern societal misconceptions. As a realist, I found this book helping me feel much more willing to open up and to give people a chance. An absolute must-read, just ignore the very few swear words.

6 people found this helpful

Prescribed pre-relationship reading

Alain de Botton has created a entertaining story that provides a realistic view of relationships & marriage.. We can all take something from this story & perhaps remove the pressure of trying to have the "perfect life". Highly recommended!

5 people found this helpful

Modern love primer

It may not be the only way to look at love, but it certainly is a valuable one. Very wise and quite ambitious in its scope, not to mention enjoyable, witty, elegantly expressed and not without some genuine suspense.

3 people found this helpful

Very, very good. Listen to it.

A beautiful book with dozens of important ideas and messages to make and sustain relationships. They aren't all easy to take on board but that should be read as a measure of their worth rather than a reason to stay away. You will likely never see love in the same light again.

2 people found this helpful

Loved this

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.

2 people found this helpful

Everyone in a relationship needs to hear this

Disney has lied to you, romanticism makes for great stories and bad relationships. absolutely brilliant

1 person found this helpful

A must for the study of love

I can't say enough how great this book is, as it provides a through mature look at what's in our hearts. Love.

1 person found this helpful

Confronting realism

I didn't necessarily love every second of listening to this. It felt like the betrayal of infidelity was being downplayed/rationalised for a while but that was eventually addressed and overall I found it clever, realistic, relatable and refreshingly unsugarcoated.

2 people found this helpful

Enlightening and brimming with the beauty of wisdom

In between chapters, I have always been left reflecting on my own ideation of “love”, how little did I know about our humanity and vulnerability, how to embrace a life long arduous but enlightening love story as a flawed human being, and how to appreciate the brilliant transient happiness with melancholy and the acceptance of life as it unfold.

Wonderfully read tale with multiple lessons

Having read Botton previously, the narrator is perfect for the voice of the author and as it happens, the multiple characters based around the life of Ravi. In true Botton style he delivers, via an attachment theory lens, this engaging tale about love and relationships. Recommend particularly for those entering more serious relationships, and those in them who may be losing hope.