The History of Love

I'm struggling to rate this. It was beautifully written, the characters cute, but I just couldn't emotionally invest in the story. It felt longer than it needed to be but the final twenty pages were my favourite, I'd have read a hundred more just like them. 3.5*

I am allowing myself to let this one go. I lost the book halfway through reading it last summer. Then found it 4 months later, zipped in to the “secret” compartment in my briefcase. I tried picking it up again but just didn't care. So I'm setting it free now. I guess I'm more Team Foer than Team Krauss.

It broke my heart in exactly the way that real life does, where all I can think is “it's not supposed to be this way” - this is a good thing.


Easily moved into one of the top positions among my favorite books of all times.

Liked it. Didn't love it. But quick and deft and a little bit (occasionally a lot bit) sappy, which sometimes is exactly what I want to read.

The History of Love is a fantastic novel that weaves together the lives of a young girl who is looking to find a romantic interest for her mother, and an old man who is looking to make a connection with the son who never knew he existed. They deal with ever-changing emotional landscapes that are relatable and interesting. This book will tug at the heartstrings of its readers, but the emotional investment is well deserved.

The premise of the novel is quite straightforward, but the characters are deliciously complex. They all seem to exhibit an emotional range that is both complicated and contradictory, which makes them feel incredibly real. Despite this, each character has a very distinct and unique voice, which lends itself well to the overall theme of the book; exploring the many aspects of love. It looks at love from all sides - the fumbling confusion of a young first love, and the bittersweet devotion of a true love lost to time and circumstance. It explores how hope, loss, and dispair can emphasize what is truly important in life.

The writing itself is wonderful. Each character is written in a different style, which makes them seem even more distinct and realistic. The overall themes of the book can be seen in each character's story arc, even though the characters are all at various phases in their lives. Their stories are all woven together with a common thread (the book is titled after the fictitious book called “The History of Love” that is central to the plot) that makes the story feel continuous and effortless, even though the individual character stories are written in very different, almost disjointed, styles.

Regardless of what sort of books you usually like to read, The History of Love should make it onto your list. Wonderful writing, complex characters, and a study of relationships that anyone can relate to all come together to make this a truly fantastic book. I found it to be a quick read, and well worth the time I devoted to it. It isn't a book I would normally pick up, but I am very glad my sister prodded me into reading this novel. Highly recommended.

recommended by Yael Beeri

4.5
very similar to extremely loud and incredibly close, which makes sense, considering the two authors used to be married. if you really think about it, that fact in itself sounds a little like the plot of this book. and it is a lovely book.

Great writing, great story, almost read through in one go. Really loved it