How the French Invented Love: Nine Hundred Years of Passion and Romance – A Literary and Cultural History Across the Centuries

Marilyn Yalom's HOW THE FRENCH INVENTED LOVE is itself an inventive look at the long tradition of love in French life. The book begins with the famous treatises on courtly love and romance, from that of the 12th century William IX, Duke of Aquitaine through the troubadour traditions of later centuries, to the great love poems like Tristan and Iseult, and guides to lovemaking like Andreas Caopellanus's The Art of Courtly Love. From there, we learn about comic love and tragic love in the works of Moliere and Racine, the art of seduction in the works of Prevost and Rousseau, the Romantic ideals (and disasters) described by George Sand and Gustave Flaubert, and many others all the way to contemporary times. All of this epitomized by Héloise's assurances to Abelard that "Throughout my life. God knows it, it has been you, rather than God, whom I feared offending, you, rather than Him, I wanted to please." Yalom's amazing scholarship, revealed in her expressive writing, assures us of how important the French idea of love has been to the entire western world. We are still mightily influenced by it.Terence Clarke

I had a good time reading this overview of French (and to some extent, universal) concepts of love. Yalom's survey of French literature made me want to go out and dive into a stack of the books that she uses as her sources.There are occasional personal references that sometimes jar. And I did laugh a little at Yalom's contention that she was unable to include a certain examples because of "lack of space." What? Was there a paper shortage? Did Amazon limit the number of bits for digital copies?

Great review of French literture

This book is only OK. The author drove me a little crazy with providing a reference to a story to make her point - but not completing the story -- and telling me that I would have to read the book that she referenced to understand her example. I also thought it was a book written for Americans by an American rather than providing a more global viewpoint of French culture. I suggest a book titled La Seduction: How the French Play the Game of Life by Elaine Sciolino- to better understand the French, their view point on love, etc.

I am French and this is a lovely description of the French.... historical perspective interesting!!

You need an open mind to read this book; it carries a variety of subjects that might go against your point of view on life. I thought it was a very delicious read, full of interesting stories. It gave me a new perspective on love, I would recommend it to anyone. I gave it four stars only because the author could have put in more information. But anyways, it is worth the time it takes reading!

Delivered as promised. Very satisfied. Recommend highly.

What a remarkable journey through history and literature! I find the emphasis on the darker side of love a little depressing none the less, but I suppose it is what it is!

Great read from a good seller! Thank you.

It starts out a little slow and the author constantly refers to her own life (something I wasn't looking for) but it gets more interesting in the second half.

Amazing and fascinating read!

For anyone if a slight attraction to France and the French, this book has to be part of your repertoire; you will be handle yourself confidently within any French circle.