This is definitely a manual on human courtship. Don't expect a story or epic tale of sorts -- there aren't any characters, no plot, etc... it seriously reads like a text book, as I think that's how it was intended. What's interesting about the book is how a lot of human behavior, with respect to sensuality and gender roles, has remained constant over time. You'll probably come across of a lot of, "Hmmm I've done that before" moments, hopefully you'll learn something, as well ;) It was interesting to learn about the lives of men and women back then and how inequality fostered the romantic and sexual norms of that day. In the Jungian, collective unconscious sense, I can't help but wonder if these behaviors are still fueling our desires and needs of today. It's all about hunter and the hunted!