All writing about love is, to a certain extent, subjective, but in this case I find it hard to relate to De Botton's thoughts, feelings and reactions because they are so different from my own experience, which is not of relationships where there are major rows and patchings up, but of a greater degree of tolerance and compromise leading to a smoother ride, even through break up (although the pain of break up is not to be underestimated! I’m a huge fan of de Botton’s lectures on YouTube and I love how he applies philosophy to love and romanticism.

I start with self-hatred and blame myself for something not working out–either not being attractive enough or smart enough or just enough in any capacity of the word.I know I keep saying this but de Botton articulated a lot of things I’ve been thinking about regarding romance, especially the end of a relationship.

The book's success has much to do with its beautifully modelled sentences, its wry humour and its unwavering deadpan respect for its reader's intelligence . We easily equate intimacy with a license — we care out of good intentions, we become judgmental of the false notes the other party shows, and ultimately, rosy beginnings end bloody.I recommend this for anyone interested in people,relationships, self-help,love, romantic philosophy and how we live our lives. I’m also very good at nursing grudges so that and my disappointed idealism are a devastating combination.