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How to Date Men When You Hate Men

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
How to Date Men When You Hate Men
First edition
AuthorBlythe Roberson
LanguageEnglish
GenreNon-fiction
PublisherFlatiron Books
Publication date
2019
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint, ebook
ISBN978-1250193421

How to Date Men When You Hate Men is a 2019 non-fiction book written by Blythe Roberson.[1][2]

Background

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The book was completed while Roberson was working as a researcher on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.[3] The original title of the book was Towards A Unified Theory Of Why I Am Forever Alone In This Life.[4]

Overview

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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 under patriarchy. 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. Roberson conceived the book as a "modern response to A Lover's Discourse" by Roland Barthes.[5]

This book is a “generous self-criticism” to the current state of affairs of dating in a contemporary society. Roberson does not hate men, and instead focuses on how men can break and unlearn societal rules and narratives. Roberson draws on her personal experiences for readers to add comedic relief to her writing and demonstrate her personal experiences.[3][4]

Reception

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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.[5] The Booklist review recommends the book for "readers of Phoebe Robinson and other feminist comedy writers".[6] The New York Times review described the book as hilarious, and noted "echoes of the Second Wave's militant political celibates".[7] 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".[8]

References

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  1. ^ Chee, Karen (January 3, 2019). "Comic Blythe Roberson on Her Book About Dating Men, Hating Men". Vulture.
  2. ^ "This Is How To Date Men When You Hate Men, According To Blythe Roberson". Elite Daily. 23 April 2019.
  3. ^ a b "HOW TO DATE MEN WHEN YOU HATE MEN". Kirkus Reviews. 8 January 2019.
  4. ^ a b "An Expert on Dating Men When You Hate Men". Paper Mag. 9 January 2019.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ Maguire, Susan (November 15, 2018). "How to Date Men When You Hate Men". The Booklist. Vol. 115, no. 6. p. 3. ProQuest 2135091703.
  7. ^ Aronowitz, Nona Willis (February 17, 2019). "Don't Let Sex Distract You From the Revolution". The New York Times. ProQuest 2245630000.
  8. ^ Livingstone, Jo (January 4, 2019). "What Women Want?". The New Republic.
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