The Course of Love

This funny, intelligent, and deeply emotional second book from the globally acclaimed author of How Proust Can Change Your Life follows the delightfully tangled arc of a loving engagement. People called it "an engrossing tale that provides plenty of food for thought" (Best New Books choice).

The much anticipated and captivating follow-up book from the globally acclaimed author of How Proust Can Change Your Life, which follows the exquisitely intricate storyline of a loving relationship. Drawn from The Course of Love, De Botton's column "Why You Will Marry the Wrong Person" (The New York Times, May 28, 2016) was the most emailed piece for days.

The headiness and thrill of the early stages of love are familiar to all of us. But what follows? Rabih and Kirsten, a couple, fall in love in Edinburgh. They tie the knot, have kids, but no committed partnership ends with "happily ever after." In the book The Course of Love, the themes of what happens after love blossoms, how to keep love alive, and what happens to our ideals when we are faced with the challenges of everyday life are all explored. You feel the initial flush of attraction, the ease with which passionate love might befall you and Rabih and Kirsten, and the trajectory of life that follows. Philosophy is layered over their tale and its difficulties, acting as a commentary and compass for what we are reading.

This is a truly romantic tale, one that delves into the question of how long-term love may endure and flourish. The end product is a visceral—fictional, philosophical, psychological—experience that compels us to think critically about our own romantic experiences and to strongly relate with these individuals. For everyone who believes in love, The Course of Love is a bold and life-affirming story that is new, visceral, and completely captivating.