The History of Love in Around the World in 80 Books

Oct 19, 2015 Sera rated it liked it

Shelves: audio, library, own, literary-fiction

I wasn't crazy for the story. I thought that the author tried to do too much here. The writing was nice, but the story, although poignant at times, left me basically flat. My one caveat was Leo. I really loved him as a character. He was so funny, sad and real, which bumped the book up one star on the rating for me.

Many of my GR friends loved this book. Maybe it didn't resonate as well with me because I listened to it on audio instead of reading it.

Anyway, I had this one on my TBR so I am happy t ...more

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Jun 29, 2017 Tok rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-english

This is a beautiful story. I'm glad I kept reading it until the end. ...more

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Sep 14, 2008 SarahC rated it it was amazing

Shelves: wwii, modern-fiction

I did love this history of love. Novels of this kind seem to be of a unique genre, I just don't know what it is. I have seen Krauss' work called Jewish magical realism, and I would say that this book is more real than magic but there are definite mythical qualities here also. Maybe my term would be modern emotional fiction?

The book captures love and loss that move in cycles, painful and unexpected, affecting lives young and old. The History of Love is both the title of the novel and the title o ...more

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Jul 04, 2008 Pam rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction

07/16/08
TITLE/AUTHOR: THE HISTORY OF LOVE by Nicole Krauss
RATING: 4/B
GENRE/PUB DATE/# OF PGS: Fiction/2005/385 pgs
SERIES/STAND ALONE: Stand Alone
TIME/PLACE: Present/New York
CHARACTERS: Alma Singer/teenaged girl; Leo Gursky/senior citizen
FIRST LINES: When they write my obituary. Tomorrow. Or the next day. It will say, LEO GURSKY IS SURVIVED BY AN APARTMENT FULL OF SHIT.

COMMENTS: Bookcrossing ring/ray. Leo Gursky has never lost his love for his 1st love Alma, even tho' she went on to America an ...more

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Jan 29, 2008 Nikki Morse rated it really liked it

I love this book. I listened to it on audio, and think I'm going to run out and buy a copy to actually read. I had a hard time understanding all the connections through the first half, but think that may have been my own audio related distraction. ...more

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