The Secret Language of Love: A Visual Treasury of Love Through the Ages

by Megan Tresidder

The perfect Valentine, this compendium of passion, romance, and desire throughout the ages is packed with a treasure trove of literature, poetry, specially commissioned illustrations, and world-famous works of art ranging from Klimt's Kiss to Manet's Olympia. The lively text explores such classic and provocative themes as eternal love, the definition of beauty, the chemistry of attraction, and the connection between love and sex. From the mythical passions of Greek gods to the discreet romantic practices of Victorian England, this lavish volume traces through the ages the paradigms of love that color our feelings, desires, and fantasies today. Comprehensive sections on signposts of romance, such as the kiss, the courtship, and the wedding, round out the book, making The Secret Language of Love an original and sensuous celebration of the most intense and joyous emotion in our lives.

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Maria Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

A treasury of knowledge and principles taken from the philosophies - from the ancient times to the contemporary, the Secret Language of Love is a bucketful of insights taken from different angles.

On a perspective of a writer, Megan Tresidder started the compilations about love from its anatomy and dimensions, to the language itself - and ended it with how people designed it - or building the archetype of love.

From our need to our perceptions of it, the writings filled with poems and portfolios, and pictures that we all adore. Amorous and heartfelt, the writings give a take not only of how love is desired and hated at the same time, and how one can aspire for love, yet we take them for granted.

It contained also the paradoxes of love - from our affiliations with fairytales, to narcissim, and to giving ourselves for the sake of the beloved. I really wanted to quote all of them, but quoting her words will spoil you, as you wished to see the epistles with your own eyes and reflect on your own, immersing in the phases of your own love story, may it be glorious or unfortunate.

what I liked the most is how she ended the book with Tolstoy's lesson imparted to the future generations -

"Tolstoy reminds us that ultimately lovers cannot forget the real world in which they have to live."

For the ultimate paradox of love is that we tend to forget everything once we felt it. And it is not just when we felt it - it is also once we decide to feel it, prioritizing it above everything else.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I expected, this book is a deep dive into the history of many kinds of love, as depicted in religion, history, literature, art, poetry, music, etc. It's not so much the secret "language" of love, it's more the "complex history" of this thing we call "love." A liberal arts student researching the history of romance would love this book. Me? I'm far too literal...& far beyond my "blinded by love" years.

[Courtney Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely was not what I was expecting, which was for it to be a fancy covered book of smut. Was actually a really amazing book covering the history of romance, courtship & all the symbology that goes with it. If you like those kinds of books, I would recommend it!

[Francesca · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting to see all the symbology, psychology and other aspects of love, as stated in the title, through the ages. The paintings related to each subject I found to be most interesting!

[Anne Yap]

Old read but just archiving! Nice that they put classic paintings side by side with the description of different kinds of “love”.