The Course of Love

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

By: Alain de Botton

Narrated by: Julian Rhind-Tutt

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.

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

Good informative drama

I would use this book with my therapy clients, to help them have an imagination of what love, sex, and relationships are in real life.

Every couple should read/listen to this book.

Want to stay together? Have a listen and have a look at yourself. Unlock the skill of love.

Enjoyed it thoroughly

Purchased both the Kindle and Audible version and can honestly say they're both superb. Couldn't decide which format I enjoy more. You can't go wrong with this one.

Just amazing!

The insights and the way the author captured the sublime thought process of the characters left me speechless.

Love Investigated?

I don't understand how to be lyrical, the lack of epithets I experience to encapsulate the essence of this book.

I'd only say that if you were to want a sensation of momentary transcendence, to lose yourself and see life under a new light, give this book a go.