Customer Reviews

Monogamy

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Written as 121 aphorisms this book is a constant source of amusement, enlightenment and decadence. It has appealled to both male and female friends of mine and stands as essential reading for anyone who has ever doubted the merits of coupledom, and that must be everyone! Phillips comes up with thoughts and interpretations that stand alongside the greatest thinkers of the past two centuries. Always challenging and provactive the text literally moves you into a state of mind you never imagined you could feel so comfortable with. I recommend this book should be read by everyone, and the younger the better. It is a revolutionary book that's impact stands alongside writers like J.P.Sartre, J.S.Mill, Franz Fanon, Nietzsche and Karl Marx. This book makes couples nervous and single people smile.It is a delight and a work of art. Many friends of mine have bought extra copies for friends and frankly anyone criticising this book may simply be fearful of freedom itself.

How could he do it? Phillips is a wonderful essayist and biographer (of Winnicott), and thinks energetically, creatively, and deeply about many topics in psychology, culture, philosophy, and literature. With apologies to Chas.Shultz, this book reminds me of an updated, even nerdier version of "Love is Walking Hand in Hand, " and it's a puzzling disappointment. Admirers of the work of Adam Phillips will likely be less than satisfied with this little book of aphorisms -- really, most are highbrow one-liners -- by such a (usually) creative, provocative, and satisfying writer.

Warning: This is not for the weak at heart. If you are afraid of being asked to question everything you have been taught was right and wrong, good and bad, and happy and sad, then don't buy this book. You will think the thing is evil and throw it away or something.
However, Mr. Phillips' aphorisms will make you a stronger person if you let them in. They are food for thought, though I hate to use that cliche. This man will make you reevaluate all of your ideals. And sometimes, in doing so, they become enforced. "Monogamy" makes you think, instead of telling you what you want to hear! Be shocked, and, if you're lucky, gain new meaning in your relationships with yourself and others.

This book only speak threw a point of view of a pessimist, broken hearted cheated person. It was like opening someones diary in search of an aswer and it was ramblings about why monogamy is practicly imposible and an Utopic idea". I didn't like this book because like everyone else or the 95% of us, I believe that a relationship is something you work on and hopefuly youll find someone who loves you and want to spend the rest of their lives with you. That's why to me this book was just a deception. I wanted to understand the concept, maybe read into experiances that led this person into a knoledge that I dont posses.

An interesting set of thoughts on the nature of fidelity and expectation. they seem as much a question to the reader as they are assertions of truth. Deep, funny, outrageous and revealing thoughts for those who like to ponder being.

While you may not agree with what the author is saying. This book is a fun read with a different point of view. Recommended if you want to broaden your point of view to include a few you might not agree with.