Against Love: A Polemic

Against Love Examines The Meaning And Cultural Significance Of Adultery, Arguing That Perhaps The Question Concerns Not Only The Private Dilemma Of Whether Or Not To Be Faithful But Also The Purpose Of This Much-vaunted Fidelity. It Offers No Easy Answers. Rather, It Intends To Engage You In A Commonsensical And Brave Examination Of The Plight Of The Modern Personality, Caught Between The Vicissitudes Of Desire And The Decrees Of Social Conformity.--jacket. Ch. 1. Love’s Labors -- Ch. 2. Domestic Gulags -- Ch. 3. The Art Of Love -- Ch. 4. --and The Pursuit Of Happiness. Laura Kipnis. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 203-207).

Author : Kipnis, Laura.

Publisher : Pantheon Books

Published Year : 2003

Edition : 1

Format : print - Hardcover, 224 pages

Subject : Adultery, HQ806 .K48 2003, 306.73/6

Language : English

Dimensions : 207 p. ; 22 cm.

ISBN : 0375421890

ISBN13 : 9780375421891

Overview :

Love is, as everyone knows, a mysterious and all-controlling force, with vast power over our thoughts and life decisions.

But is there something a bit worrisome about all this uniformity of opinion? Is this the one subject about which no disagreement will be entertained, about which one truth alone is permissible? Consider that the most powerful organized religions produce the occasional heretic; every ideology has its apostates; even sacred cows find their butchers. Except for love.

Hence the necessity for a polemic against it. A polemic is designed to be the prose equivalent of a small explosive device placed under your E-Z-Boy lounger. It won’t injure you (well not severely); it’s just supposed to shake things up and rattle a few convictions.