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All For Love: A Romantic Anthology
A lover's eye view of human behaviour that tells us all we need to know about love and romance. 'All for Love' is a collection of brief quotations by many hands, chosen and illustrated with exquisite wit by Laura Stoddart.
Here the raptures of love are counter-balanced by the rueful, comic, and often rather crisply cynical observations of men and women who have been there before. Divided into sections on the nature of love, the pursuit of love, love and marriage and the love affair, the book ranges from the passionate to the severely practical. We can smile at the silliness of those blinded by love (Shakespeare), feel a pang of heartache for jilted lovers (Dorothy Parker) reflect with Byron that there is little to be said about a happy marriage, and take note of P G Wodehouse advising girls that chumps make the best husbands, while relishing snatches of great poetry about great loves, from Sappho, Marlowe, Wordsworth, John Clare and Thomas Hardy.
'All for Love' is a rare treat for everyone who is in love, contemplating marriage, has a broken heart, or has put the whole business behind them, and wants to be cheered up by some brilliant insights and by Laura Stoddart's enchanting visual comments on them.
Here the raptures of love are counter-balanced by the rueful, comic, and often rather crisply cynical observations of men and women who have been there before. Divided into sections on the nature of love, the pursuit of love, love and marriage and the love affair, the book ranges from the passionate to the severely practical. We can smile at the silliness of those blinded by love (Shakespeare), feel a pang of heartache for jilted lovers (Dorothy Parker) reflect with Byron that there is little to be said about a happy marriage, and take note of P G Wodehouse advising girls that chumps make the best husbands, while relishing snatches of great poetry about great loves, from Sappho, Marlowe, Wordsworth, John Clare and Thomas Hardy.
'All for Love' is a rare treat for everyone who is in love, contemplating marriage, has a broken heart, or has put the whole business behind them, and wants to be cheered up by some brilliant insights and by Laura Stoddart's enchanting visual comments on them.
- GenresPoetryNonfictionArt
83 pages, Hardcover
First published February 8, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 21, 2024
Laura Stoddart's enchanting illustrations superbly augment the comments of great writers on those who are in love, are contemplating marriage, have suffered a broken heart or have put the whole messy business behind them.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe sets it all off with a profound view of both sides of the equation, 'And even so, what happiness to be loved! And, oh you gods, what happiness it is to love!' Indeed, perfectly true.
Maurice Chevalier may have had a disturbing experience as he wrote, 'Many a man has fallen in love with a girl in a light so dim he would not have chosen a suit by it.' I see what he means for I have had the occasional bad suit! Similarly George Ade (1866-1944) who wrote, 'If it were not for the presents, an elopement would be preferable.' The only redeeming feature of this comment is that it was in a book entitled 'Forty Modern Fables'!
And I never realised that one word could portray so much passion. Gavin Ewart's 'You!' from his 'The Lover Writes a One-Word Poem' really had a powerful effect on me, including conjuring up a picture and making me reflect on my love for my late wife Linda. What images that one word conjured up.
Finally, I do hope Dorothy L Sayer's answer to her question from her 'Busman's Honeymoon' turns out to be true as she states, 'And what do all the great words come to in the end, but that? I love you - I am at rest with you - I have come home.'
The charming illustrations really do complement the book that provides plenty of inspiration for lovers the world over - and perhaps not so much for those who were never so lucky as to experience the real pleasure of love and romance.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe sets it all off with a profound view of both sides of the equation, 'And even so, what happiness to be loved! And, oh you gods, what happiness it is to love!' Indeed, perfectly true.
Maurice Chevalier may have had a disturbing experience as he wrote, 'Many a man has fallen in love with a girl in a light so dim he would not have chosen a suit by it.' I see what he means for I have had the occasional bad suit! Similarly George Ade (1866-1944) who wrote, 'If it were not for the presents, an elopement would be preferable.' The only redeeming feature of this comment is that it was in a book entitled 'Forty Modern Fables'!
And I never realised that one word could portray so much passion. Gavin Ewart's 'You!' from his 'The Lover Writes a One-Word Poem' really had a powerful effect on me, including conjuring up a picture and making me reflect on my love for my late wife Linda. What images that one word conjured up.
Finally, I do hope Dorothy L Sayer's answer to her question from her 'Busman's Honeymoon' turns out to be true as she states, 'And what do all the great words come to in the end, but that? I love you - I am at rest with you - I have come home.'
The charming illustrations really do complement the book that provides plenty of inspiration for lovers the world over - and perhaps not so much for those who were never so lucky as to experience the real pleasure of love and romance.
December 5, 2015
When I bought this book I genuinely thought it was a collection of short stories about love. I was quite disappointed when I realized this is a compilation of quotes about love from classics. I did like reading the quotes, I even have a favorite, but ultimately it was disappointing. The art was rather pretty and clever.
September 30, 2016
2,5owls!
It was a nice collection of poetry, although i cant say it's My thing. The illustrations though were really beautiful!
It was a nice collection of poetry, although i cant say it's My thing. The illustrations though were really beautiful!
July 30, 2017
A small book with five parts . Simple book to read in waitin' times . I'm sure any reder will spend more time reading the illustrations more than the anthologies themselves. Have fun !
September 23, 2017
Loved it! Beautiful illustrations and many wise words. Can't believe this was a Poundland find. 4.5/5
December 21, 2017
Beautiful illustrations!
July 26, 2022
A treat for the eyes by way of the 'elongated' illustrations, as well as food for the mind, heart and soul.
Sweet!
Sweet!
August 5, 2010
I bought this book for the illustrations. They can be seen in the portofolio from http://www.laurastoddart.com/.
I appreciate the quotes on love being on medium level. And the thing I did not like was the irony with "love & marriage" is treated.
Anyway, a great hardback edition with great illustration.
I appreciate the quotes on love being on medium level. And the thing I did not like was the irony with "love & marriage" is treated.
Anyway, a great hardback edition with great illustration.
December 30, 2011
Lovely illustrations and quotes.
February 16, 2015
This was a great compilation. Fast-read and inspiring.
July 5, 2015
Nice graphic! But I believe, Love defines something more than two persons and a romance!
December 14, 2015
A beautifully illustrated book, with enjoyable poems and quotations on love.
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December 23, 2016$15 new
Parcel post satchel – 500g $8.07
Parcel post satchel – 500g $8.07
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews