On Marriage

By Devorah Baum | Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

About the book

BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023 ACCORDING TO THE NEW YORKER AND KIRKUS

'Devorah Baum is a visionary writer. Her intellectual depth, her emotional precision and her searing insight can only be gathered under an old fashioned word: wisdom' Zadie Smith

A shining exploration of why we marry from writer and academic Devorah Baum


For better or worse, for richer for poorer, till death us do part – we’ve always done it and we’re still doing it. Of all our cultural institutions, marriage is the most ancient, but also the most puzzling.

In this compelling and delightful book, Devorah Baum examines the many meanings we have given to marriage, interweaving the personal with insights from a host of writers, artists and thinkers.

From Freud to Ferrante, and One Thousand and One Nights to Fleabag, she looks at marriage in all of its forms – from act of love to leap of faith, and asks: what are we really doing when we say ‘I do’?

Both celebration and critique, On Marriage is a guide like no other to the landscape of marriage.

'A hugely thought-provoking, witty, warm tour around every significant writer and thinker on love to have emerged since Adam and Eve' Alain de Botton

Editions of On Marriage

Hardcover
ISBN 9780241618011
Paperback
ISBN 9780241998021
EBook
ISBN 9780241998014

Read an Excerpt

BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023 ACCORDING TO THE NEW YORKER AND KIRKUS

'Devorah Baum is a visionary writer. Her intellectual depth, her emotional precision and her searing insight can only be gathered under an old fashioned word: wisdom' Zadie Smith

A shining exploration of why we marry from writer and academic Devorah Baum


For better or worse, for richer for poorer, till death us do part – we’ve always done it and we’re still doing it. Of all our cultural institutions, marriage is the most ancient, but also the most puzzling.

In this compelling and delightful book, Devorah Baum examines the many meanings we have given to marriage, interweaving the personal with insights from a host of writers, artists and thinkers.

From Freud to Ferrante, and One Thousand and One Nights to Fleabag, she looks at marriage in all of its forms – from act of love to leap of faith, and asks: what are we really doing when we say ‘I do’?

Both celebration and critique, On Marriage is a guide like no other to the landscape of marriage.

'A hugely thought-provoking, witty, warm tour around every significant writer and thinker on love to have emerged since Adam and Eve' Alain de Botton

Frequently Asked Questions

What is On Marriage about?

BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023 ACCORDING TO THE NEW YORKER AND KIRKUS

'Devorah Baum is a visionary writer. Her intellectual depth, her emotional precision and her searing insight can only be gathered under an old fashioned word: wisdom' Zadie Smith

A shining exploration of why we marry from writer and academic Devorah Baum


For better or worse, for richer for poorer, till death us do part – we’ve always done it and we’re still doing it. Of all our cultural institutions, marriage is the most ancient, but also the most puzzling.

In this compelling and delightful book, Devorah Baum examines the many meanings we have given to marriage, interweaving the personal with insights from a host of writers, artists and thinkers.

From Freud to Ferrante, and One Thousand and One Nights to Fleabag, she looks at marriage in all of its forms – from act of love to leap of faith, and asks: what are we really doing when we say ‘I do’?

Both celebration and critique, On Marriage is a guide like no other to the landscape of marriage.

'A hugely thought-provoking, witty, warm tour around every significant writer and thinker on love to have emerged since Adam and Eve' Alain de Botton

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in On Marriage?

Society and Social Sciences > Sociology and anthropology > Sociology > Sociology: family, kinship and relationships

Where can I read a sample of On Marriage?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780241618011

How long is On Marriage and how many pages does it have?

On Marriage has 336 page(s)

Who is/are the Author/s of the book On Marriage?

Devorah Baum

Who is the Publisher of the book On Marriage?

Penguin Books Ltd

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

On Marriage is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780241618011) and paperback(ISBN 9780241998021) and ebook(ISBN 9780241998014)

Where can I buy On Marriage online or support local independent bookshops?

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Where can I buy On Marriage?