Alain de Botton's novel writing has the same motivations as, perhaps, Sartre or Camus - the fiction is his vehicle for a discourse on philosophy and society,

In this book, he employs a model of jumping out of the narrative action to italicised essayistic discussion. It's something that could easily be frustrating for a reader, or least ask a lot of hard work from them. Fortunately, this veteran writer is very considered in his approach and his text moves along quickly and gently. Both the discussion and narrative flow in an easy parallel, always serving to complement and enhance one another.

It is a shame, however, that this love narrative of husband and wife is told only from the perspective of husband. The character of Kirsten is certainly well formed and expressed but without her perspective, this insightful text feels somehow incomplete.

Nonetheless, this easy read rewards the reader with its deconstructions of real coupledom (NB the chapter on sulking) which will surprise and fascinate.