Book review: 'The Essays on Love' - Alain de Botton

Author: Alain de Botton
Published in 1993 originally

I would say I've never really been interested in philosophical books but I don't know what but something intrigued me when I saw the book cover of 'The Essays on Love'. May be I was in the process of falling in love or crush or just 'cause I'm going through this look-for-love phase or I'm just this hopeless romantic at heart.

And I'd like to say I'm really impressed by the first book of Alain de Botton 'The Essays on Love". I wondered to myself why did i never heard of this book considering I call myself a self-proclaimed pseudobibliophile because I googled the title, i found out it is actually quite a famous one.

This book touches a chord of your heart somewhere like you could relate to every little snippet from this book.
Even though it's his first book but he very beautifully writes about every stage of falling in love and evolution of love in a romantic relationship. The entire book is in 1st person narration by the main character the guy falling in the love.
The beauty of this book is in its philosophical style of writing mixed with storytelling. This is the forte of the author.
If you are someone who doesn't like reading hardcore philosophy but would prefer philosophy in a storytelling way like applied philosophy and you're somewhat intrigued by the concept of love or looking forward to a love-ful relationship or just simply you're just intrigued by the title, this one book is a deary one.
At first what kept me hooked to this book is that I thought I was getting into the head of a guy falling in love with a girl but later on I realized it's not just about male thinking in love. Instead girls can also relate to most of those feelings.

After reading it, I felt like afterall no matter male or female, we aren't actually that different but the difference somewhere lies in our style of communication.

That might be my personal opinion but I just felt like that. Being a hopeless romantic and an over-optimistic person, I kind of didn't actually like the way the book ended.

I'd leave that for you to find out what happens in the end.

Poem- '82 Avenue Lagrange'

82 Avenue Lagrange

"The address I called home..

Autumn, winter, spring and summer..

I saw it in every garb..

.

The wooden stairs creaked so much at first..

But then it felt like a familiar hum..

.

The quiet riverside..
The bridge..

The stealthily flowing water..

The rustling leaves with soft breeze..

I could hear it all like in a mesmirizing trance..

.

As I walk on the same street..

I ponder..

When did this unknown address

turn into a place so dear..

.

The cargo ships..

The restaurant on the boat..

The lush big green trees..

The sunset through my window..

The riverview from the balcony..

A delight to the eyes..

It had a character of its own..

.

The house became a home in a matter of time..

Faraway from a land I call home."

-  D. Shakti

Poem - "A girl from the mountains"

"Im a girl from the mountains..

green trees..

fresh air..

limitless sky..

the sheer immensity of nature..

makes me feel alive..

.

Im a girl from the mountains..

wooden houses..

cobbled streets..

simple smiles..

cold breeze..

that shine in the eyes..

makes me feel at home.. . .

Im a girl from the mountains..

the slopes..

that carefree running up and down the hills..

the wintery chill..

the foggy views..

brings me back to life..

.

Im a girl from the mountains..

deep breaths..

tippy tap of raindrops..

chirpy birds..

the serenity of it all..

makes me nostalgic..

.

Im a girl from the mountains..

Im a girl from the mountains.."

- D.Shakti

Beautiful French song: 'Je veux (I want) - by Zaz' with French lyrics and translation

Donnez moi une suite au Ritz, je n'en veux pas! 

Offer me a suite at Ritz, but I don't want it!

Des bijoux de chez Chanel, je n'en veux pas! 

The jewellery by Chanel, I don't want it!

Donnez moi une limousine, j'en ferais quoi? 

Offer me a limousine, what will I do with it?

Offrez moi du personnel, j'en ferais quoi? 

Offer me a hoard of  servants, what will I do with it?

Un manoir à Neuchâtel, ce n'est pas pour moi. 

A mansion at Neuchatel, but I'm not for it.

Offrez moi la Tour Eiffel, j'en ferais quoi? 

Offer me the Eiffel tower, what will I do with it?

Je veux d'l'amour, d'la joie, de la bonne humeur, 

I want the love, the joy and the happiness,

C'n'est pas votre argent qui f'ra mon bonheur, 

It's not your money which makes me happy,

 Moi j'veux crever la main sur le cœur.

I want to die with my heart on my sleeves.

Allons ensemble, découvrir ma liberté, 

Let's go together, discover my freedom,

Oubliez donc tous vos clichés, 

 And let's forget all the trivial things,

Bienvenue dans ma réalité. 

Welcome to my reality.

J'en ai marre d'vos bonnes manières, c'est trop pour moi! 

I'm fed up of your good manners, it's too much for me!

Moi je mange avec les mains et j'suis comme ça! 

I eat with my hands and that's just me!

J'parle fort et je suis franche, excusez moi! 

I talk loudly and I am blunt, just excuse-me!

Finie l'hypocrisie moi, j'me casse de là! 

Got over with this hypocrisy, I'm outta here!

J'en ai marre des langues de bois! 

I'm fed up of your pompous tongue!

Regardez moi, toute manière j'vous en veux pas

Look at me, anyway I don't blame you

Et j'suis comme ça (j'suis comme ça) 

And I'm like that (I'm like that)