In celebration of tomorrow’s International Quirkyalone Day (or Valentine’s Day for the red roses & chocolate lovers ), I am reading Diane Ackerman’s exposé on the nature of “the great intangible” that is Love. In the spirit of her previous bestseller, A Natural History of the Senses, the essayist endeavours to introduce the reader to a somewhat abridged, but passionate stroll down Love’s historical quarters.

Indeed, Ackerman eloquently bridges the gap between old and new; historical Egypt and Rome and modern America with her unique charm all the while marveling at the varieties of love that human beings embrace and neglect. It is a celebration of our ancestors (with noteworthy passages about the uses of various aphrodisiacs) and our perpetual search for that other sentiment, happiness, which is far too fleeting. ( )

diane ackerman takes on the subject of love, much as she has taken on other subjects as an author of creative non-fiction over the years, and explores the history, physiology and mythologies of this romantic subject. as always, ackerman proves that the world of nonfiction need not be non-literate or staid, as her writing carries a certain lyrical quality and poetic sensibility i always enjoy. this was not my favourite of her books, and it may be that the subject matter is just not that interesting to me (though bell hooks wrote a series on love i very much enjoyed - so i’m not sure this is true), but i much preferred a natural history of the senses to this. ( )

Actually a pretty good read. Some Diane Ackerman wears on me pretty quickly, but I liked this one. It may be relevant that I picked it up around the time I got married. :7) ( )