The Men in Your Life

by Geneviève Antoine-Dariaux

A stunning new-look edition of the 1960s guide to men and relationships from the author of A Guide to Elegance. A timeless Men are From Mars, Women are from Venus...The inimitable Madame Dariaux imparts her pearls of wisdom on a subject of crucial importance to every woman -- Man. In this revised edition of her 1960s classic, she deals with every aspect relating to liaison with the male species, including Adultery, Affairs, Bathrooms, Budgets, Confessions, Courtship, Divorce, Drinkers, Drivers, Hobbies, Jealousy, Monogamy, Nudity, Regrets, Snoring, Virility, Youth and Zippers. From how to ensnare a man to how to keep him (or get rid of him!), Mme Dariaux gives advice that no 21st-century woman dare be without. In the battle of the sexes, the first rule is be armed -- and Mme Dariaux provides the perfect ammunition...She also gives tips on how to deal with those other men in your life -- whether it's the postman, the mechanic or the barman -- and get exactly what you want.

Genres: Nonfiction, Relationships

Hardcover

First published November 1, 2004

Reviews

[Bookshop · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, this French style guru wrote a style bible titled "A Guide to Elegance" in 1964. She then wrote an ancient "Man from Mars Women from Venus" titled "The Men in Your Life" in 1968. Both books were republished by Harper Collins in 2003 and 2004 respectively after a surge in interest in "A Guide to Elegance" which served as an inspiration to a modern-day novel titled "Elegance" by Kathleen Tessaro.

I bought both books just to see what chick-lits in the 60s are like. They turned out to be quite amusing.

The language is elegantly old, Miss-Manner like and thus can be quite hilarious at times. The content, however, can swing from practical and timeless, to nonsense and out-of-date. Consider her advice on
"Diets: your husband returns from a visit to his doctor with a diet banning everything he likes to eat. He's in a black mood. Life doesn't seem worth living with no salt, no whiskey and no desserts.
Instead of saying that it won't be much fun for you either to have plan menus composed of grilled lean meat, tell him that you know a thousand different recipes ...Then avoid all possible temptations even when there are guests for dinner.... , and never forget to compliment him on how well he looks, thanks to all his sacrifices... But if it is you who have been given a diet.... you should plan two separate menus. Never serve him a green salad and nothing else."

WHAT COMPLETE RUBBISH!

Some are ahead of her time such as
"Chores: It must be admitted that household chores are multiplied by far more than two when you progress from bachelorhood to matrimony. It is therefore only natural for each partner to do his share."

The advices are organized alphabetically, from Absence to Zoology. All about relationship between women and men (not necessarily as lovers or husbands but also fathers, bosses, brothers, sons, and friends). And the advices are directed to not only women but also men and sometimes both.

I recommend this book if you do not take its content seriously. It may even be fun to read it together with your husband or boyfriend on one gloomy evening under a cozy throw and start a giggly blaming game (you do too, I do not, you do too, *giggle*). Or read it alone in his absence. You may be surprised.
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[Jaimini Mehta · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is definitely dated - a lot if the advice really doesn’t transfer to modern times.
However, there are still some really thoughtful, humorous and insightful words of wisdom … as long as you take it all with a pinch of salt :)

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book I've pulled out over the years when I want a chuckle. Dariaux has a razor-sharp wit a la' Dorothy Parker. That, coupled with her French, feminine je ne sais quoi makes her irresistible. She wrote this in the early 1960's so her views have a little bit of a Parisian "Mad Men" feel - the good old days of hard cocktails and red lipstick. Ah, we can only wish we were there still.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE IT - thank you Lauren for the bday present!

[Brigitte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very tongue-in-cheek "advice." Very French. Very adorable.