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The Course of Love

By: Alain de Botton
Narrated by: Julian Rhind-Tutt
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Publisher's summary

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

Twenty years after his best-selling debut, Essays in Love, internationally acclaimed author Alain de Botton returns to fiction with a brilliant new novel about modern relationships.

What does it mean to live happily ever after?

At dinner parties and over coffee, Rabih and Kirsten's friends always ask them the same question: how did you meet? The answer comes easily - it's a happy story, one they both love to tell. But there is a second part to this story, the answer to a question their friends never ask: what happened next?

Rabih and Kirsten find each other, fall in love, get married. Society tells us this is the end of the story. In fact it is only the beginning. From the first thrill of lust to the joys and fears of real commitment to the deep problems that surface slowly over two shared lifetimes, this is the story of a marriage. It is the story of modern relationships and how to survive them.

Playful, wise and profoundly moving, The Course of Love is a delightful return to the novel by Alain de Botton, 20 years after his debut, Essays in Love.

©2016 Alain de Botton (P)2016 Penguin Audio
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What listeners say about The Course of Love

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Just amazing!

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

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1 person found this helpful

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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.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Normalizing Love

An amazingly normal story of what happens after Romance, how to set a perspective and expectations around a relationship.

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If you’re married or in a long term commitment, pls read!

I loved this book! It’s insightful, incisive and definitely required reading for married or long term relationship folks!

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Beautiful depiction of love

Loved the narration of the ‘story’ and the depth that it carries. The weaving in of the psychological aspects of love and relationships is profound. Gives one an opportunity to reflect on own relationship.

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A sober and realistic look at Romanticism.

Would have preferred if de Botton had narrated it himself, but this book is a life changing one for those of us socialised into Romanticism and provides much needed insights into the underbelly of what happens in relationships and life. An absolute must read.

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A.must read

I wish I had read it before. I gave it to my best friends. "love is a skill, not just an entusiasm"

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