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Love
Love is a map, not a destination. That's why there is no such thing as "they all lived happily ever after"
How do we love? With romance. With work. Through heartbreak. Throughout a lifetime. As a means, but not an end. Love in all its forms has been an abiding theme of Jeanette Winterson’s writing. Here are selections from her books about that impossible, essential force, stories and truths that search for the mythical creature we call Love.
Selected from the books of Jeanette Winterson
VINTAGE MINIS: GREAT MINDS. BIG IDEAS. LITTLE BOOKS.
A series of short books by the world’s greatest writers on the experiences that make us human
How do we love? With romance. With work. Through heartbreak. Throughout a lifetime. As a means, but not an end. Love in all its forms has been an abiding theme of Jeanette Winterson’s writing. Here are selections from her books about that impossible, essential force, stories and truths that search for the mythical creature we call Love.
Selected from the books of Jeanette Winterson
VINTAGE MINIS: GREAT MINDS. BIG IDEAS. LITTLE BOOKS.
A series of short books by the world’s greatest writers on the experiences that make us human
113 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 8, 2017
61 people are currently reading
1980 people want to read
About the author
Jeanette Winterson
126 books7,703 followersNovelist Jeanette Winterson was born in Manchester, England in 1959. She was adopted and brought up in Accrington, Lancashire, in the north of England. Her strict Pentecostal Evangelist upbringing provides the background to her acclaimed first novel, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, published in 1985. She graduated from St Catherine's College, Oxford, and moved to London where she worked as an assistant editor at Pandora Press.
One of the most original voices in British fiction to emerge during the 1980s, Winterson was named as one of the 20 "Best of Young British Writers" in a promotion run jointly between the literary magazine Granta and the Book Marketing Council.
She adapted Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit for BBC television in 1990 and also wrote "Great Moments in Aviation," a television screenplay directed by Beeban Kidron for BBC2 in 1994. She is editor of a series of new editions of novels by Virginia Woolf published in the UK by Vintage. She is a regular contributor of reviews and articles to many newspapers and journals and has a regular column published in The Guardian. Her radio drama includes the play Text Message, broadcast by BBC Radio in November 2001.
Winterson lives in Gloucestershire and London. Her work is published in 28 countries.
One of the most original voices in British fiction to emerge during the 1980s, Winterson was named as one of the 20 "Best of Young British Writers" in a promotion run jointly between the literary magazine Granta and the Book Marketing Council.
She adapted Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit for BBC television in 1990 and also wrote "Great Moments in Aviation," a television screenplay directed by Beeban Kidron for BBC2 in 1994. She is editor of a series of new editions of novels by Virginia Woolf published in the UK by Vintage. She is a regular contributor of reviews and articles to many newspapers and journals and has a regular column published in The Guardian. Her radio drama includes the play Text Message, broadcast by BBC Radio in November 2001.
Winterson lives in Gloucestershire and London. Her work is published in 28 countries.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
August 27, 2017
Unlike the other Minis, this one isn't just a republishing of old work. This is Ms Winterson holding your hand, taking you around her own house, pointing out objects she liked best and why she kept them there. Love/
July 2, 2022
You know, if people didn't know me any better, they would go ahead and presume that I have a 'thing' for Jeanette Winterson, and I suppose really, I do. I admit, I praise her works a lot on this site, and some may become tired of it, but frankly, I don't care. This lady deserves praise where it's due, as she has had such a profound impact on me, and the way I see the world.
This beautiful vintage mini, is packed with snippets from Winterson's books, but she is also present as well, if you like. We are taken on a guided tour of her books, and we are treated to a hidden depth of each of her works. She explains to us why she included certain parts in her book, too. All of her works included in this book are entirely based on love, which is also the title of this book.
I learned from this book, that Winterson was in fact adopted at a young age, and she talks freely, and in rather great detail about that experience in this book. She tells us how that has shaped her, as a person. I could totally relate to this, as I too, was adopted from a young age, and while there are things that I'll probably never discover, I am certain that it has shaped me for the better.
If I could, I would talk about Jeanette Winterson for hours, quite happily, but I think I've made my feeling clear. She is such an incredibly gifted woman, and she has brought out feelings within me, that were laying dormant, for probably many years. Here is a beautiful quote from"The Powerbook"
"Loving is like lifting a heavy stone. It would be easier not to do it and I’m not sure why I am doing it. It takes all my strength and all my determination and I said I wouldn’t love someone again like this. Is there any sense in loving someone you can only wake up to by chance?’’
This beautiful vintage mini, is packed with snippets from Winterson's books, but she is also present as well, if you like. We are taken on a guided tour of her books, and we are treated to a hidden depth of each of her works. She explains to us why she included certain parts in her book, too. All of her works included in this book are entirely based on love, which is also the title of this book.
I learned from this book, that Winterson was in fact adopted at a young age, and she talks freely, and in rather great detail about that experience in this book. She tells us how that has shaped her, as a person. I could totally relate to this, as I too, was adopted from a young age, and while there are things that I'll probably never discover, I am certain that it has shaped me for the better.
If I could, I would talk about Jeanette Winterson for hours, quite happily, but I think I've made my feeling clear. She is such an incredibly gifted woman, and she has brought out feelings within me, that were laying dormant, for probably many years. Here is a beautiful quote from"The Powerbook"
"Loving is like lifting a heavy stone. It would be easier not to do it and I’m not sure why I am doing it. It takes all my strength and all my determination and I said I wouldn’t love someone again like this. Is there any sense in loving someone you can only wake up to by chance?’’
January 7, 2018
How to love?
Experience. Heartbreak. But hearts are made to be broken. It’s integral to the design. Writing is the best way I know to talk about the most difficult thing I know: Love.
Experience. Heartbreak. But hearts are made to be broken. It’s integral to the design. Writing is the best way I know to talk about the most difficult thing I know: Love.
July 23, 2020
The stories we sit up late to hear are love stories. It seems that we cannot know enough about this riddle of our lives. We go back and back to the same scenes, the same words, trying to scrape out the meaning. Nothing could be more familiar than love. Nothing else eludes us so completely.
I have been in search of a dictionary of love, a vocabulary of it for so long now. I wished to compile one of my own, for my own reference, for placing myself in relation to the objects around me. But when you grow up in India the love you most often see is the thwarted kind. A form of oppression that is masked as love that leaves you confused, gasping and disoriented. As a bisexual Indian woman, my comprehension of love was embarrassingly limited for so many years. Until I realized that my only salvation was in the literature of love.
While this book does contain many excerpts from Winterson's other works, the silver lining here is that she personally guides the reader through each chapter. She somehow manages to sound like a gentle wise soul who knows when the world is going to end and how love can save it.
So my commitment to story-telling, like my commitment to love, is a commitment to discomfort, not security. To adventure, not satisfaction. To possibilities, not answers.
And you’ll note, because it is so obvious that it needs saying, that lies are always offered as answers.
This book is raw, soothing and torrential, often forcing the reader to confront ideas that were abandoned long ago. Winterson brings you to a cusp of understanding and leaves you there to comprehend the depth of her sentences.
I have never believed that to be relevant we have to write about our own time and place. Literature isn’t documentary. Using the past is a way of escaping the clutter of now.
How often do we wish that we could get hold of an efficient past-viewing lens that isn't corroded by our own biases, so we can make sense of the 'now' we live in? I do not wish to change the past, simply to understand it and this is precisely what Jeanette Winterson seems to have mastered.
Love is a means, not an end. Love is a map, not a destination. That’s why there is no such thing as ‘they all lived happily ever after’.
My only regret is not having read this book sooner, my younger ignorant self could have used many of the insights that this book provides. I think it's time to delve down a rabbit hole of Jeanette Winterson books.
I have been in search of a dictionary of love, a vocabulary of it for so long now. I wished to compile one of my own, for my own reference, for placing myself in relation to the objects around me. But when you grow up in India the love you most often see is the thwarted kind. A form of oppression that is masked as love that leaves you confused, gasping and disoriented. As a bisexual Indian woman, my comprehension of love was embarrassingly limited for so many years. Until I realized that my only salvation was in the literature of love.
While this book does contain many excerpts from Winterson's other works, the silver lining here is that she personally guides the reader through each chapter. She somehow manages to sound like a gentle wise soul who knows when the world is going to end and how love can save it.
So my commitment to story-telling, like my commitment to love, is a commitment to discomfort, not security. To adventure, not satisfaction. To possibilities, not answers.
And you’ll note, because it is so obvious that it needs saying, that lies are always offered as answers.
This book is raw, soothing and torrential, often forcing the reader to confront ideas that were abandoned long ago. Winterson brings you to a cusp of understanding and leaves you there to comprehend the depth of her sentences.
I have never believed that to be relevant we have to write about our own time and place. Literature isn’t documentary. Using the past is a way of escaping the clutter of now.
How often do we wish that we could get hold of an efficient past-viewing lens that isn't corroded by our own biases, so we can make sense of the 'now' we live in? I do not wish to change the past, simply to understand it and this is precisely what Jeanette Winterson seems to have mastered.
Love is a means, not an end. Love is a map, not a destination. That’s why there is no such thing as ‘they all lived happily ever after’.
My only regret is not having read this book sooner, my younger ignorant self could have used many of the insights that this book provides. I think it's time to delve down a rabbit hole of Jeanette Winterson books.
July 9, 2019
την αγαπώ ρε
Read
July 3, 2017When I bought Love, I just expected some excerpts from of Jeanette Winterson's novels, but what I got instead was a wonderful amalgam of these excerpts and of Winterson herself commenting on them and on life and love in general. She also connects literature to current western society and politics, and I found this very interesting. I'd never read anything by her before, but now I would really like to.
July 16, 2017
Selections from Jeanette Winterson's earlier works, interespersed with comments. I'm interested to note how my attitude to JW changed with seeing her speak at Hay earlieer this year. Ive read "Oranges Are Not The Only fruit" but I'd forgotten how funny and insightful she could be. This probably isn't a representative sample but I enjoyed it and think I'll delve into her other works again at some point.
August 13, 2018
When I bought Love, I just expected a republishing of the old work of Jeanette Winterson's novels but what I got instead was a wonderful amalgam of these excerpts and of the authoress herself adding her own commentary on how & why she wrote her novels , on life and most importantly on love.
Oh , I forgot how refreshing it is to read what others perceive Love !
Will I ever pick up a book written by Winterson ? Absolutely , for this book left me in complete awe and admiration .
Oh , I forgot how refreshing it is to read what others perceive Love !
Will I ever pick up a book written by Winterson ? Absolutely , for this book left me in complete awe and admiration .
June 19, 2017
Love is both an anthology of Winterson's writing about love, and her own criticism of and reflection upon her own work. Fascinating and enlightening, what's not to love?
January 1, 2018
"I wanted to do better. You could call it arrogance or you could call it optimism."
'Love' is a collection of book excerpts and commentaries of author Jeanette Winterson, which briefly introduces us to her as a writer, a person and a lover. She takes us through her creative process, her past and how she sees love. Also mentioned: Shakespeare, racism, religion and gender.
I was high-key impressed, even at page 1. In fact, I enjoyed her briefly mentioned ideas so much that I often wished she would expand on them, though I understand that the concept of the Vintage Minis requires them to remain short. Besides, this small thing sells all of her books really well. I want to get to them as soon as possible and I think, I know, you will feel the same when you close 'Love' for the last time.
'Love' is a collection of book excerpts and commentaries of author Jeanette Winterson, which briefly introduces us to her as a writer, a person and a lover. She takes us through her creative process, her past and how she sees love. Also mentioned: Shakespeare, racism, religion and gender.
I was high-key impressed, even at page 1. In fact, I enjoyed her briefly mentioned ideas so much that I often wished she would expand on them, though I understand that the concept of the Vintage Minis requires them to remain short. Besides, this small thing sells all of her books really well. I want to get to them as soon as possible and I think, I know, you will feel the same when you close 'Love' for the last time.
August 15, 2017
Winterson includes in this book introductions and analyses of ten of her novels and short stories (from "Oranges are Not the Only Fruit" to "Christmas Days"), as well as excerpts from those works. While the analyses were thought-provoking and topical, the excerpts themselves were far too short and choppy to do the themes justice. This reads more like a promotional teaser of the author's work than a satisfying exploration of "love" in its own right.
I would say, skip this one.
Mood: Choppy
Rating: 6/10
I would say, skip this one.
Mood: Choppy
Rating: 6/10
January 26, 2025
“What would it be like if we didn’t have a body? If we communicated as spirits do? ”
September 20, 2025
‘Writing is the best way I know to talk about the most difficult thing I know: Love.’
The perfect JW dissects the LOVE ❤️ in 10 of her novels: how it differs, hurts, grows, dies, blossoms, twists, kills and UGH she just hits the nail on the head every freaking time.
More of a fiction/story/novel gal myself, so this is not a 5, yet if Jeanette is writing (especially about her favourite theme of LOVE YAY) I’m running not walking.
Healing ig xxx
The perfect JW dissects the LOVE ❤️ in 10 of her novels: how it differs, hurts, grows, dies, blossoms, twists, kills and UGH she just hits the nail on the head every freaking time.
More of a fiction/story/novel gal myself, so this is not a 5, yet if Jeanette is writing (especially about her favourite theme of LOVE YAY) I’m running not walking.
Healing ig xxx
March 3, 2019
My all time favourite writer re-lives her favourite books and explores her own explorations of love in her work.
December 29, 2024
Irgendwie anders als ich es erwartet habe.
Es ist toll geschrieben und von der Autorin zusammengestellt und man kann während des Lesens auf jeden Fall viel nachdenken🫰🏼allerdings ist das Buch jetzt nach dem Lesen für mich eher etwas Chaos :(
Ich habe viel über die Autorin erfahren und wie sie Liebe sieht und lebt, aber jetzt nicht unbedingt viel über die Liebe an sich.
Es ist toll geschrieben und von der Autorin zusammengestellt und man kann während des Lesens auf jeden Fall viel nachdenken🫰🏼allerdings ist das Buch jetzt nach dem Lesen für mich eher etwas Chaos :(
Ich habe viel über die Autorin erfahren und wie sie Liebe sieht und lebt, aber jetzt nicht unbedingt viel über die Liebe an sich.
September 10, 2021
Jeanette Winterson, I LOVE you!!
December 23, 2018
As I like Jeanette Winterson a lot I ordered this Vintage Mini, not expecting much of it as it would be bits and pieces of her published works. So I was very happy that Jeanette Winterson couldn't let her work go keeping her mouth shut... I enjoyed the comments and thoughts she added to all the passages she choose from her book. She has this energy in everything she's telling and I always like listening to her ideas and thoughts.
"So my commitment to story-telling, like my commitment to love, is a commitment to discomfort, not security. To adventure, not satisfaction. To possibilities, not answers.
And you'll note, because it is so obvious that it needs saying, that lies are always offered as answers.
Brexit. Trump. Border control. Make your own list.
Truth is a questioning place.
Stories are full of questions. What if? What is? Who am I? Who are you? What do I believe? Why do I believe it?
We ask these questions in other ways - of course we do, politically, philosophically, spiritually. We address them head-on.
And that's the difference, I guess, because, as Freud worked out at the start of the 20th century, human beings cannot always, or even optimally, address the big, the dark, the difficult, the shameful, the guilty, the criminal, the crazy head-on. We have to go sideways, downwards, away from without running away. We use a proxy or an avatar. And that's what stories let happen."
Read
February 7, 2018So many emotions and inner thoughts expressed in a magic way....Thanks for this great compilation and the motivation to love unconditionally, hard and risky!!!
September 1, 2020
I wish I read reviews before getting this book. It wasn't what I expected. I was looking forward to read parts of Jeanette Winterson's novels, some short stories etc on the topic of love. Find some beautiful quotes and ideas, see which of her books I am interested in.
But the book is mainly her talking about writing her novels. Which is not what I was really interested in. I don't like how it was structured. In some parts I wasn't sure where is the part of the novel and where is she talking about her life. And I must say I have a very low patience threshold when it comes to comments on politics. I appreciate it as part of a novel without being shoved into my face but skillfully added to think, which I am sure this author is great at. But I can't stand them directly talking about today's politics. What does Trump have to do with it? Why is it that its Trump supporters who wants "real jobs" for "real men"? I don't need no Trump, I need love, not some self important dribble on how the other side is so incredibly dumb and evil.
I really rather not read what authors say about their books unless I really was into the book already and want to find out more. Otherwise my interest may be ruined by their own comments. Her novel excerpts really had great, beautiful language, so I won't let this book kill it for me. I would probably give it 1 * but I add another one because it will be a good book for somebody who already read all her books and is mainly interested in her own comments. This just wasn't what I was looking for.
But the book is mainly her talking about writing her novels. Which is not what I was really interested in. I don't like how it was structured. In some parts I wasn't sure where is the part of the novel and where is she talking about her life. And I must say I have a very low patience threshold when it comes to comments on politics. I appreciate it as part of a novel without being shoved into my face but skillfully added to think, which I am sure this author is great at. But I can't stand them directly talking about today's politics. What does Trump have to do with it? Why is it that its Trump supporters who wants "real jobs" for "real men"? I don't need no Trump, I need love, not some self important dribble on how the other side is so incredibly dumb and evil.
I really rather not read what authors say about their books unless I really was into the book already and want to find out more. Otherwise my interest may be ruined by their own comments. Her novel excerpts really had great, beautiful language, so I won't let this book kill it for me. I would probably give it 1 * but I add another one because it will be a good book for somebody who already read all her books and is mainly interested in her own comments. This just wasn't what I was looking for.
February 14, 2023
3,5 Stars.
Just romance is not really my topic, but Winterson has really good ideas and I love her writing style. I think, I will read some books from her. In General I like the idea of the Vintage Minis. Maybe I'll read more of these books.
Just romance is not really my topic, but Winterson has really good ideas and I love her writing style. I think, I will read some books from her. In General I like the idea of the Vintage Minis. Maybe I'll read more of these books.
March 6, 2019
Να της πείτε οτι την αγαπάω και θα διαβάσω σύντομα κάποιο βιβλίο της ολόκληρο.
March 15, 2019
I’ve only read one other book by Jeanette Winterson and having seen her give a talk once in Amsterdam last year, this small book just confirmed my adoration for her and her writing. Love truly is a fascinating subject ❤️
April 21, 2025
oh Jeanette, love ya, may you live forever queen
June 1, 2024
Den er søt og reflekterende, men kan ikke få fem stjerner når den nesten bare er utdrag fra andre bøker. Fikk lyst til å lese noen av bøkene da.
October 13, 2024
So tender, so full of love. Makes you question whether love is the real matter behind it all. As someone who has not believed in that sort of guiding statement of the world, with every word, every paragraph, and every moment, I somehow believe more in the love behind it all.
June 22, 2019
My first Vintage Mini - really liked it, lots of quotable snippets. Thinking to get “Desire” and “Liberty”next. I’ve read Orange and I don’t think I was warm towards it, but this makes me want to read more of Winterson’s books. Though which one is the big question, as they all sound quite different and I have a feeling I won’t like some of them. Some I will.
April 21, 2020
The Vintage Minis (“great minds, big ideas, little books”) is een collectie boeken met fragmenten uit werken van schrijvers, gegroepeerd per onderwerp. Na het eerdere ‘Desire’ van Murakami nu ‘Love’ van Jeanette Winterson.
Winterson schrijft vaak over de liefde. Meestal over liefde als onmogelijke maar noodzakelijke reden van bestaan. Over de verwachtingen die nooit vervuld worden, over de liefde als mythisch figuur: onbereikbaar, fictief maar fascinerend.
De fragmenten uit 10 werken van Winterson worden door de schrijver ingeleid en becommentarieerd. Het commentaar voegt veel toe en geeft inzicht in zowel de schrijfster als in het waarom van bepaalde verhalen. Alhoewel dat laatste ook fijn open wordt gelaten. Winterson zegt zelf: “Fiction is a set of possibilities. Those possibilities prompt us towards other beginnings, alternative endings, because to some extent we write the book alongside the author, and we often would prefer a different ending.”
En dan dat thema: wat kan Winterson daar mooi over schrijven. Geen rozengeur en maneschijn maar veel illusies, teleurstelling en gebroken harten. ‘But hearts are made to be broken. It’s integral to the design.’
Winterson schrijft vaak over de liefde. Meestal over liefde als onmogelijke maar noodzakelijke reden van bestaan. Over de verwachtingen die nooit vervuld worden, over de liefde als mythisch figuur: onbereikbaar, fictief maar fascinerend.
De fragmenten uit 10 werken van Winterson worden door de schrijver ingeleid en becommentarieerd. Het commentaar voegt veel toe en geeft inzicht in zowel de schrijfster als in het waarom van bepaalde verhalen. Alhoewel dat laatste ook fijn open wordt gelaten. Winterson zegt zelf: “Fiction is a set of possibilities. Those possibilities prompt us towards other beginnings, alternative endings, because to some extent we write the book alongside the author, and we often would prefer a different ending.”
En dan dat thema: wat kan Winterson daar mooi over schrijven. Geen rozengeur en maneschijn maar veel illusies, teleurstelling en gebroken harten. ‘But hearts are made to be broken. It’s integral to the design.’
July 11, 2017
Vintage heeft allemaal kleine themaboekjes uitgegeven, waaronder 'Love' van Jeanette Winterson. De liefde is een belangrijk thema in haar werk. Verschillende passages uit verschillende werken worden besproken en toegelicht door Winterson zelf, waaronder 'The Passion' en 'Sexing the cherry'. Door dit boekje wil ik zeker meer gaan lezen van Jeanette Winterson.
September 15, 2021
Some very intersting views on the theme "Love". However, be aware that Jeanette Winterson comments on the negotiation of love in her own works in this little essay colloection. Therefore, this collections consists of many spoilers. Definitely a book for fans of Winterson, because it gives a lot of insight into her writing and her way of thinking.
November 14, 2017
My first time reading Vintage Minis- a great little morsel on the exploration of the meaning of love.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews