This long essay (it hardly lays claim to the stature of book) is delightfully well written, and it mounts a very convincing series of arguments against the institution of marriage and the false ideas about the eternality of love that are associated with it. It is certainly well worth the read. Unfortunately, Kipnis argument that adultery is a significant form of political resistance to oppressive social mores is far less successful than her argument against marriage. While there is undoubtedly a political element to cheating (inasmuch as marriage is an inherently social phenomenon), she wildly overstates its subversive power. In fact, it would not be at all difficult to argue that adultery oftentimes prolongs the misery of a bad marriage. One could even argue that cheating simply carries the delusions typically associated with marriage into non-married territory. People who cheat on their spouses are like the Luddites, the factory workers who attacked the factory machinery instead of the plant owners--their rage is real and valid, but entirely ineffectively directed. Opposed to marriage? Dont get married, and dont hesitate to tell people why you think marriage is a bad idea. Unhappy in a marriage? Get divorced. But whatever you do, dont try to couch fundamental dishonesty in the rhetoric of righteousness (as Kipnis does here)--we get enough of that from our corporate CEOs and politicians.
A barbed expose of the myths surrounding the sacred cows of marriage and monogamy. I found myself shaking my head in agreement many times while reading this book. I also laughed until tears rolled down my eyes at the long list of things one mustnt do while in a long-term relationship. The only thing that kept me from giving this book five stars was Kipnis excessive use of run-on sentences. Otherwise, good job!
This is interesting info. Im doing research about this subject matter and find it interesting the way it is handled in this title as well as The System, by Roy Valentine - a book that shows you exactly how to go out and do this exact thing - to acquire casual sexual relationships.
