How to Date Men When You Hate Men
 First edition | |
| Author | Blythe Roberson |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Non-fiction |
| Publisher | Flatiron Books |
Publication date | 2019 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print, ebook |
| ISBN | 978-1250193421 |
How to Date Men When You Hate Men is a 2019 non-fiction book written by Blythe Roberson.[1][2]
Overview
[edit]How to Date Men When You Hate Men is non-fiction self-help book by American writer and author Blythe Roberson. The book is a collection of comedic, self-deprecating, and philosophical essays interrogating what it means to date men within contemporary society. Although the title gives the impression that the book offers dating advice, it is instead an exploration of dating in the 21st century under the patriarchy. It is a "modern response to A Lover's Discourse" by Roland Barthes.[3]
Background
[edit]The book was completed while Roberson was working on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert [7]. After a year of writing the proposal in 2016, Roberson started writing her book for it to be published through Flatiron Books on 9 January 2019. The original title of the book was Towards A Unified Theory Of Why I Am Forever Alone In This Life [8].
Contents
[edit]This book is a “generous self-criticism” to the current state of affairs of dating in a contemporary society [7]. Roberson does not hate men but focuses on how men can break and unlearn societal rules and narratives [7]. Roberson usings many of her personal experiences for readers to add comedic relief to her writing and demonstrate her personal experiences [7][8].
The book has eight chapters. The smaller sections in the book were inspired by A Lover’s Discourse by Roland Barthes [8]. Roberson’s use of comedy and references to pop culture work, The Rules by Ellen Fein and Sherrie Schneider, eliminate the basic self-help book structure that she was avoiding [7].
The chapters have the following titles:
1. Crushes
2. Flirting
3. Dating
4. Psychic Wounds
5. Getting Serious
6. Breaking Up
7. Being Single
8. Making art
Summary
[edit]How to Date Men When You Hate Men is an attempt by Roberson to frame her theory about dating under the patriarchy. While she worked for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, She writes about how “They’re [men] are not born evil, they’re born into an evil system!” in relation to how men can break their negative views on dating. The book is not a how-to guide or dating advice but a way of expressing her thoughts and feelings about dating. Roberson states that the book is not about how she hates men but how she has a high attraction towards men. Roberson concludes the book demonstrating that she hopes her narrative leaves readers thinking and changing their thinking [7].
Reception
[edit]A review in The Economist describes the response to the book as a "mixed bag", and was irritated by the colloquial style and the many references to Harry Styles.[3] The Booklist review recommends the book for "readers of Phoebe Robinson and other feminist comedy writers".[4] The New York Times review described the book as hilarious, and noted "echoes of the Second Wave's militant political celibates".[5] A review in The New Republic praised the book for exploring "the insoluble truth that Roberson both desires and loathes men. She forces herself to acknowledge that double bind, then persists through the paradox instead of opting out," and describes it as "an invaluable testament to living through heterosexuality".[6]
References
[edit]- ^ Chee, Karen (January 3, 2019). "Comic Blythe Roberson on Her Book About Dating Men, Hating Men". Vulture.
- ^ "This Is How To Date Men When You Hate Men, According To Blythe Roberson". Elite Daily. 23 April 2019.
- ^ a b Lloyd, Rachel (February 12, 2019). "All you need to know about "How to Date Men When You Hate Men"". The Economist. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
- ^ Maguire, Susan (November 15, 2018). "How to Date Men When You Hate Men". The Booklist. Vol. 115, no. 6. p. 3. ProQuest 2135091703.
- ^ Aronowitz, Nona Willis (February 17, 2019). "Don't Let Sex Distract You From the Revolution". The New York Times. ProQuest 2245630000.
- ^ Livingstone, Jo (January 4, 2019). "What Women Want?". The New Republic.
External links
[edit]
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- ^ [7] "How to Date Men When You Hate Men" Kirkus Reviews. 08 December 2019.
- ^ [8] Mania, Greg. "An Expert on Dating Men When You Hate Men" Paper. 09 January 2019.