Nice topic, fun read. ( )

I can't help it; I'm a francophile!

A wonderful companion to my Masterpieces of French Literature course. My reading list has now expanded considerably! ( )

From the title of this book, I thought it was going to be a sociological exploration into the romance and courting habits of the French. I was pleasantly surprised to find out it was about French romantic literature. There were a few sociological-type personal anecdotes from the author about herself as well as friends and associates. I thought the anecdotes were distracting from what really interested me--the changing views of love and romance in French literature. I found the scope of the literature choices interesting and liked hearing the personal histories of some of the authors. I enjoyed this more as a literary exploration than I probably would have as a sociological exploration. Glad I didn't judge this book by its cover. ( )

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, having been fascinated with the French and French literature and culture since I pilfered Angelique off of Mom's bookshelf when I was too young to read it (what an American sentiment!). I then proceeded to find and buy all the books in the series, and later managed to study law in France for a summer. I believe that a number of French concepts in those books greatly influenced my life for the better. I have always sought out French classics but, of course, have not been able to read them all, despite my Literature major in college. I now have an even better understanding of the important French literary contributions (novels, letters, author histories, and even some movies) to the French ideals of love from its inception through its ups, downs and all arounds. Thanks Marilyn Yalom for listening to your literary agent and writing this important work, and for treating all the evolutions of love so passionately and thoroughly. Your epilogue was just right; I now have a new item on my bucket list, when I return to Notre Dame one day. I also will definitely read one of your favorite books: "La Princess de Cleves"and look forward to it.


(Thank you to the publisher for allowing me a preview of the book.) ( )