SOLVED. Non-fiction, about different types of relationship, ie the Garden Relationship, the Adventure Relationship [s]

[Jane]

This is a non-fiction book in the self-help/personal development genre. It describes different types of relationship that people develop, such as a garden relationship, where people tend, prune and plant actively within the relationship, never having the view that things are fixed or final (for example). It has chapters for different types of relationship - at least 10 and maybe up to 20. I can't remember the other types, but things like -the Adventure relationship, the Sports relationship, the Journey relationship ...

I read it about 10 years ago, at least. It belonged to someone I knew, who later moved and I don't know how new it was then - but also, it wasn't ancient. This was in Australia but I don't especially think it was an Australian author (though I guess it could have been). Maybe it was by a man- ??

It was a paperback. The writing had a fresh immediacy, a vibrancy about it. I seem to remember it had some kind of artwork on the cover, not a photograph of people or scenery, more abstract/stylised.

I thought it was really fresh and original. I cannot find it through repeated searches (there's a million relationship books).

thank you, in advance!!

[Kris]

Jane, was the focus on relationships with family and friends, business colleagues, or people in general?

Are there certain terms that you're quite sure of (e.g., "garden/gardening relationship")?

[Jane]

Hi - they were romantic/sexual relationships, ie partnerships. The garden/gardener relationship is about the only one I'm certain about! I've tried searching for that, though, and that really doesn't work.

[Will]

I think Love Is a Story: A New Theory of Relationships by Robert J. Sternberg might be what you're looking for. I found it on google books and the ToC definitely has a chapter called "The Garden Story"

[Jane]

that does look pretty good, Elizabeth! - I will check it out and get back to the thread. Great detective work! :) Jane

Elizabeth wrote: "I think Love Is a Story: A New Theory of Relationships by Robert J. Sternberg might be what you're looking for. I found it on google books and the ToC definitely has a ..."

[Kris]

Good find, Elizabeth.

Sternberg's Love Is a Story: A New Theory of Relationships identifies 26 types of love stories: Teacher-Student, Sacrifice, Government, Police, Pornography, Horror, Science-Fiction, Collection, Art, House and Home, Recover, Religion, Game, Travel, Sewing and Knitting, Garden, Business, Addiction, Fantasy, History, Science, Cookbook, War, Theater, Humor, and Mystery.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Jane, was Will's suggestion your book?

[Jane]

Yes

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Super.