On Love (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. A French Romantic Essay on Passion, Crystallization, and the Psychology of DesireBy Stendhal
Length13h 15m
About this audiobook
Stendhal's On Love (1822) is a brilliant hybrid of essay, psychological treatise, aphorism, and literary confession. Best known for its theory of "crystallization," the process by which imagination adorns the beloved with ideal qualities, the book dissects passion with the precision of an observer and the vulnerability of a wounded lover. Written in the aftermath of Enlightenment rationalism and at the threshold of Romantic introspection, it anticipates modern psychology while retaining the elegance and irony of French moralist prose. Stendhal, born Henri Beyle, brought to this work the experiences of a cosmopolitan life shaped by Napoleonic Europe, Italian culture, and repeated emotional disappointment. His unrequited passion for Métilde Dembowski in Milan is often regarded as the immediate biographical source of the book's intensity. The same analytical temperament that later animated The Red and the Black and The Charterhouse of Parma here turns inward, transforming private suffering into a general anatomy of desire. On Love is recommended for readers interested in the literature of passion, the history of psychology, and the origins of modern self-analysis. It rewards those who value intellectual candor, stylistic brilliance, and a remarkably contemporary understanding of how love is imagined, endured, and misunderstood.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- An Author Biography reveals milestones in the author's life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
Rating★★★★ 4.3 (11)
Includes Amazon
GenrePhilosophy
Length13 hrs 15 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateApr 9, 2020
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1On Love (Annotated)
2Introduction
3Synopsis
4Historical Context
5Author Biography
Show all chaptersShow less
6INTRODUCTORY PREFACE TO THE TRANSLATION
7PREFACE
8PREFACE
9PREFACE
10BOOK I
11CHAPTER I OF LOVE
12CHAPTER II OF THE BIRTH OF LOVE
13CHAPTER III OF HOPE
14CHAPTER IV
15CHAPTER V
16CHAPTER VI THE CRYSTALS OF SALZBURG
17CHAPTER VII DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE BIRTH OF LOVE IN THE TWO SEXES
18CHAPTER VIII
19CHAPTER IX
20CHAPTER X
21CHAPTER XI
22CHAPTER XII FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF CRYSTALLISATION
23CHAPTER XIII OF THE FIRST STEP; OF THE FASHIONABLE WORLD; OF MISFORTUNES
24CHAPTER XIV
25CHAPTER XV
26CHAPTER XVI
27CHAPTER XVII BEAUTY DETHRONED BY LOVE
28CHAPTER XVIII LIMITATIONS OF BEAUTY
29CHAPTER XIX LIMITATIONS OF BEAUTY—(continued)
30CHAPTER XX
31CHAPTER XXI LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT
32CHAPTER XXII OF INFATUATION
33CHAPTER XXIII THE THUNDERBOLT FROM THE BLUE (11)
34CHAPTER XXIV VOYAGE IN AN UNKNOWN LAND
35CHAPTER XXV THE INTRODUCTION
36CHAPTER XXVI OF MODESTY
37CHAPTER XXVII THE GLANCE
38CHAPTER XXVIII OF FEMININE PRIDE
39CHAPTER XXIX OF WOMEN'S COURAGE
40CHAPTER XXX A PECULIAR AND MOURNFUL SPECTACLE
41CHAPTER XXXI EXTRACT FROM THE DIARY OF SALVIATI
42CHAPTER XXXII OF INTIMATE INTERCOURSE
43CHAPTER XXXIII
44CHAPTER XXXIV OF CONFIDENCES
45CHAPTER XXXV OF JEALOUSY
46CHAPTER XXXVI OF JEALOUSY—(continued)
47CHAPTER XXXVII ROXANA
48CHAPTER XXXVIII OF SELF-ESTEEM PIQUED [1]
49CHAPTER XXXIX OF QUARRELSOME LOVE
50CHAPTER XXXIX (Part II) REMEDIES AGAINST LOVE
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