To see how I face this review, because the novel that I want to talk to you about is a rather rare novel of those that have something that I like, but I do not know how to explain either how or why. You better start from the beginning.
The pleasure of love was published for the first time more than twenty-five years ago and is considered a classic. This book was the first novel by the author Alain de Botton, which was followed by others such as The Consolations of Philosophy, How to Change Your Life with Proust, The Architecture of Happiness and The Fatigue of Love. As you can see, Alain de Botton tends to unite love and philosophy in his writing. Currently collaborates in a British television channel in outreach programs. The guy is a crack of the philosophy and it shows his passion for it in his novels.
The book of which I speak today, The pleasure of love, perfectly blends philosophy and love in its pages. They say it is "a compendium of humor and wisdom, a provocative novel (...) that has not lost a bit of topicality." And the truth is that I have to give the reason in everything. Twenty-five years later, the way love is treated in this book is still topical.
If I had to explain in a few words what the book is about, I think the easiest thing would be to tell you that this novel is about a love relationship narrated by Woody Allen in any of his films. And I think with that you would understand me, would not you? Those of us who like this director are accustomed to narrating loving relationships analyzed from all points of view, especially the neurotic and philosophical. Well, something like that is The pleasure of love, just without so much neurosis (if that is possible in love).
On any given day, any man knows in flight from Paris to London to Chloe, his companion on the plane. From that moment, he already knows that she is the woman of his life. From there, comes the normal in all relationships: the first date, the first dinner together, the first night they go to bed, etc.
But, of course, everything else also comes. After those first moments together, comes the other side of love. The arguments for trivialities, monotony, jealousy. And all narrated from that philosophical prism that I commented to you. A true analysis of romantic relationships from the point of view of philosophy and the great intellectuals of history that the author uses to shed this relationship.
The pleasure of love is not just any book, this is clear. Nor is it a book for all audiences. I think it is more a book for thinkers, curious and restless, for philosophers and lovers of love and Woody Allen. If that is your case, then this book will love you. It has fascinated me.
I recommend it
