Genre: Nonfiction
My rating: 4/5
Recommended for: People who want to know more about love and dating in today’s world
When I first picked up this book, I was expecting a hilarious commentary on dating in the era of social media. I was very pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t just a stand-up comedian laughing at people on Tinder, but it was a full-fledged, well-developed research on how people find love in the modern world! It even made comparisons with the olden days just to see how much things have and haven’t changed (spoiler: A LOT has changed, obviously).
It discussed quite a list of things, from the differences of how people viewed marriage before and after technology and Internet invasion to cheating and the idea of open relationships. Aziz and his sociologist partner even went to Japan, France, and Argentina to view the cultural differences of love today. Oh, and Qatar! Wow! Such dedication! Much work! It took them two years to finish this book, if I’m not mistaken. They did well.
Of course, the base of Aziz’s view on modern romance is the one he’s familiar with—American style, where sexually active relationships are the norm? Correct me if I’m wrong, though. I’ve never been there personally, but that’s what I get from watching endless American TV shows and movies. Obviously, this type of romance is vastly different with the one I encounter in my daily life here in Bandung, Indonesia, where most people I know are not sexually active (at least, not in the open) before marriage. Still, sexuality is probably the only thing that’s a little bit irrelevant to my situation (things may be different in Jakarta, though). The rest: online dating, infidelity, shifting views in marriage, and anxiety in settling and settling down, are widely applicable.
Yes, this book is based on a serious research, but no, it is in no way boring. How would a stand-up comedian write a serious book? (He could if he wanted to, but he fortunately didn’t.) Aziz’s remarks and images seriously cracked me up. If you’re looking to know more about dating in the modern world written hilariously, this is your book. Have fun, and good luck with your romantic endeavors!
Bonus points:
- Seriously insightful stuff about love
- Alfredo and his donuts
- Photoshopped pictures of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
- And also this video
sogitareads 
Hi, I’ve been looking for this book, couldn’t find it anywhere in jkt. Where did you get this book? Thanks
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Hi Giza,
I read the ebook version. If you wanted a physical one, you could maybe get it from Books and Beyond or Periplus, but you’d have to wait for a few days/weeks.
Gita
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