`Author:` Alain de Botton `Availability:` [[Suggestions]] > [!info] > ## Summary ## Key Takeaways **The Course of Love (2016) – Love as a Long-Term Intellectual Project** A follow-up to _[[Essays in Love]]_, this novel moves beyond **falling in [[Knowledge/Love]]** to explore what happens **after passion fades**—how love evolves in marriage and long-term commitment. **Synopsis:** • The novel follows **Rabih and Kirsten**, a couple navigating the realities of a long-term relationship. • Unlike traditional love stories, **this one begins where most novels end: after the initial romance**. • The book highlights the **struggles of marriage, parenting, and personal growth**, arguing that **intellectual and emotional companionship sustain [[Relationships]] more than passion**. • Throughout, de Botton inserts **philosophical reflections on love**, making the novel as much an essay on relationships as a [[storytelling|story]]. **Key Themes:** • **The myth of “soulmates”:** The book argues that **true love is about learning and growing together**, not finding a perfect match. • **Love as an ongoing [[Education]]:** Instead of relying on **passion**, couples need **self-[[Awareness]], intellectual curiosity, and emotional generosity** to sustain love. • **The limits of romance and the [[value]] of companionship:** Long-term love requires **understanding each other’s flaws, rather than seeking constant excitement**. 💡 **Connection to Eliot:** Like Eliot’s portrayal of **Dorothea and Will Ladislaw**, _The Course of Love_ suggests that **intellectual and emotional companionship is what makes love last, not just attraction**. ## Quotes - ## Notes `Concepts:` `Knowledge Base:` [[Books index]]