The Four Loves

by C.S. Lewis

Book Overview

"We need others physically, emotionally, intellectually; we need them if we are to know anything, even ourselves." We hear often that love is patient and kind, not envious or prideful. We hear that human love is a reflection of divine love. We hear that God is love. But how do we understand its work in our lives, its perils and rewards? Here, the incomparable C. S. Lewis examines human love in four forms: affection, the most basic, general, and emotive;...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0156329301
• ISBN13: 9780156329309
• Release Date: September 1971
• Publisher: Mariner Books
• Length: 156 Pages
• Weight: 0.93 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Loved "The Four Loves"

An excellent starting point for a reader only acquainted with C. S. Lewis through his fiction, "The Four Loves" stems from his "day job" at Oxford and Cambridge as a lecturer in Medieval and Rennaissance literature. "Loves" also invites the serious reader into Lewis' thoughts about the contrast between his Christian faith and the "psychological" bent of Western values and theory took in the late Twentieth Century. Well written and easy to understand.

Different Approach to Relationships

I used to think that if I just found the "perfect" way to do relationships, I would never get hurt or have my heart broken. Lewis counters that kind of thinking. Love is vulnerable, and you will get hurt, he says, and the only place you can fully escape from the "dangers and perturbations" of love is in Hell. This book helped me, and I hope it will help you, to break free from the mindset of seeking to avoid hurt in relationships, and replace it with a desire to truly love other people. We can never entirely avoid hurt or pain in relationships, but if we approach relationships with the mindset of avoiding pain, we will never experience the joy of true love. This book's scope is not limited to one kind of relationship. It is the "Four Loves," after all. Four kinds of love...affection, friendship, eros, and charity. Lewis truly goes through the whole gamut of love. He covers what he calls the "likings and loves for the sub-human" (like a pet), simple affection for other people and family, the love that friends share, romantic love, and then God's love--the fullest expression of love. I think perhaps this is one of the best books on love and relationships (for the two are inexplicably bound up in each other) that I have ever read. I don't think you will be able to read this book without being changed.

Highly recommended

I own nearly 1000 books, of which a few I have multiple copies of: The Bible, Sun Tzu's The Art of War, The Prince. This book I have only one copy of, but have bought at least 5 that I can recall off-hand. That's because I loan it out, and it rarely gets returned (folks always return the Bibles, for some reason...). Anyone concerned with the nature and types of love should read this book. C.S. Lewis compares and contrasts love of God, Family, Lovers, and Friends in a way that makes good sense, is easy to understand, and is practical in real life. Should be required reading for anyone that has just started a relationship of any kind, or just ended a relationship for any reason.

Amazing!

For those parents who have "encouraged" their teenage children to read "I Kissed Dating Goodbye", I would recommend "The Four Loves" far more. I am sixteen, and I read this book not long ago - I was absolutely speechless when I finished the last page. It is, by far, one of the most profound books I have ever read on ANY subject, not just love. C.S. Lewis seems to get stronger with each page, and his observations about today's understanding of love are right on. His insight as he places the four loves in priority with God and fellow man is astounding. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone.

For those who have felt that sense of longing in our hearts.

Trust is fragile and does not come without an open heart. C.S. Lewis' book on the four loves: affection (between a parent and a child), friendship, romantic love, and charity or love towards God is truly a remarkable piece of work. Professor Lewis writes with an easiness rare amongst writers, speaks deliberately and with wisdom in his words. He speaks of trust and of hearts, of humanity and humility. Truly, this is a moving book (or was for me) as well as a book which takes the seriousness of love rather lightly and playfully, for good reason. The seriousness and playfulness of love are but opposite sides of the same coin. Read this book with an open, honest, yet vulnerable heart. One needs to take risks in the matters of the heart. And you shall experience the best of dark and bright. --spaceboy