“All About Love: New Visions” explores the ever-increasing lovelessness that has permeated both our personal and cultural lives. Author Bell Hooks dives into the different realms of love in our lives and how embracing a life of fearless connection with the world around us can build a more meaningful and joyful life.
Hooks draws on ideas that inspired much introspection into the contemporary nature of love and the factors that have recently led to the epidemic of lovelessness. She balances commentary on both the cultural environment that has turned away from love, and the reality of love in our own lives. An onslaught of examples and suggestions for personal improvement in this realm are meant to guide the reader to a life of fuller awareness and compassion. However, the structure of her prose and discontinuity of ideas severs the bridge from page to reality by neglecting to describe the process by which to achieve said goals and instead emphasizes cause and effect to make her point. While Hooks’ thoughts spark an interest in the needed changes to embrace a loving life, the lack of follow-through and unorganized thoughts make them seem unattainable and bewildering. Further, the declaratory tone of the writing and lack of qualifying ideas alienates those who may not share the same political or social beliefs.
These are my key takeaways from “All About Love: New Visions”:
1. Love is a deliberate act of will, rather than a feeling. Hooks emphasizes that perfect love is not about good feelings or romance. It is instead a choice of surrender for the improvement of another human being, as well as yourself. Relying on the feeling of love is not enough to sustain connection because good feelings always pass. However, continued action and effort allow connections to grow stronger when faced with difficulties.
2. Love is hindered by fear. The daunting idea of self-reflection, honesty, and revealing the true self to another person holds many of us back from making the effort to love. Fear of rejection, shame, honesty and accountability overshadows the longing for love in our lives. Love requires all these things, and only by letting go of fear can we embrace the pain that will bring us to love.
3. To live fully is to live by a “love ethic”. Love is not reserved for romantic relationships, family and friends. Rather, love is a state of being and connection with the world around us that we extend to every thought, encounter and circumstance. Love emanates from the self onto the world and in effect attracts love from all directions.
“All About Love: New Visions” by Bell Hooks is a good starting point for further reflection and psychological analysis, with interesting points that question the way we see the world. However, if you are looking for deep answers and powerful prose, Hooks’ book may not be an effective first choice.
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