The Unexpected Joy of Being Single
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3.9 • 9 Ratings
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
* 'This refreshing, unusual book needs to exist. A culture shift which repositions a single person as someone who is relationship-free, complete, and not lacking is long overdue.' - The i *
* 'Absolutely f*cking brilliant' - Florence Given *
Having a secret single freak-out? Feeling the red, heart-shaped urgency intensify as the years roll on by? Oh hi! You're in the right place.
Over half of Brits aged 25-44 are now single. It's become the norm to remain solo until much later in life, given the average marriage ages of 35 (women) and 38 (men). Many of us are choosing never to marry at all.
But society, films, song lyrics and our parents are adamant that a happy ending has to be couple-shaped. That we're incomplete without an 'other half'*, like a bisected panto pony. Cue: single sorrow. Dating like it's a job. Spending half our lives waiting for somebody-we-fancy to text us back. Feeling haunted by the terms 'spinster' or 'confirmed bachelor.'
Catherine Gray took a whole year off dating to find single satisfaction. She lifted the lid on the reasons behind the global single revolution, explored the bizarre ways cultures single-shame, detached from 'all the good ones are gone!' panic and debunked the myth that married people are much happier.
Let's start the reverse brainwash, in order to locate - and luxuriate in - single happiness. Are you in?
*Spoiler: you're already whole
PRAISE FOR CATHERINE GRAY'S WRITING:
"Fascinating." Bryony Gordon.
"Not remotely preachy." The Times
"Jaunty, shrewd and convincing." The Telegraph
"Admirably honest, light, bubbly and remarkably rarely annoying." The Guardian
"Truthful, modern and real." Stylist
"Brave, witty and brilliantly written." Marie Claire
"Haunting, admirable and enlightening." The Pool
(p) 2018 Octopus Publishing Group
Customer Reviews
LOVE!!
Reading this book made me feel less alone. I laughed out loud many times and just felt understood and appreciated. It was like spending hours of total fun with the single best friend I don’t have!
Basic and too peppered with forced metaphors
The premise here is solid. But the messaging felt elementary. If this is you’re first exposure to the empowerment of singledom, this may be a good listen for ya. But if you’re already in the know and hoping for some deep insights, this likely isn’t for you. The author also provides a list of must haves for her future partners and it’s lacking in so many ways (falls short of what people should expect in a healthy, fulfilling partnership) which further confirms this book is for beginners Just starting their journey of understanding the fulfillment of single life.