Profound, wise and interesting. This novel explores the love (mostly, but not necessarily, the love between and woman in the relationship of marriage), but also the humanity itself. I would call this novel a course ON love, taught by a very wise man.

Rabih and Kirsten had met, fallen in love, entered the marriage, had children...and has been living and loving during the course of these years. Their love has been evolving - OK, let's call it the downfalling sometimes, but there is a lot of wisdom to learn when the times are not exactly rosy.

Alain de Botton is a wise man. He can offer so much wisdom, observations, musings and maybe some pieces of advice on how to love more (and the word "more" is the key here - like more deeply, more authentically, with more understanding of themselves ). His tone is rational, yet there is so much tenderness in his musings. I got enriched by this book so much (and I am not even in love presently!).
This is not a beachy read or anything to read when you simply need to kill your time. This is to read when you wish to mature, evolve and become more vulnerable - which is a very brave (and useful) thing to do.