Stoic in Love

An essential, sharply observed guide to navigating love in the modern world drawing on the ancient wisdom of the Stoics.

'This book would have been useful before we got married.'
Anthony Congedo, Annie's ex-husband

You're on date #17 since your last relationship ended in flames, and within a nanosecond of meeting Doug at a bar you realise you've made a huge mistake. You head to the bathroom to text your mate Lizzy and complain about how your date says aaaahh after every sip of beer, seems to style himself after Donald Trump, and definitely sniffed your hair. Ten seconds later, you realise you accidentally texted this to Doug. You sit frozen on the loo, wondering if there's a back exit, or if you should fake your own death.

The philosophy of the Stoics can help us all navigate the life cycles of love, whether it's dating someone wearing horns and a kaftan, a relationship where blobs of toothpaste are left smeared in the bathroom sink, or being dumped via text with just one word – enough! Across 45 rules, from dating tips like Do your due diligence to relationship advice like Don't tell your partner to calm down to break-up wisdoms like Resist putting your foot in your mouth, Annie Lawson applies ancient wisdom to the modern world of being in love, out of love, lovesick, love-bombed or just love-tired.

Romance and its rocky pursuit often sucks but, fortunately, not always, and Stoic in Love helps us realise that we can all use a little help getting together, staying together, or moving on.

About the Author

Annie Lawson is a former journalist who has had a diverse love life, from kiss chasey in the school yard in primary school, to a first pash as a teenager with braces to several boyfriends including one who alphabetised cereal packets, and finally to marriage, which ended. This all taught her that the key to a good relationship is not only lots of storage, regular holidays at a nice resort and someone who is funny, but finding a partner to do nothing with. She now works as a business editor after a stint on the dark side of the corporate world and is a devoted student of the Stoics, taking every opportunity to apply their wisdom to life's hard things – from the workplace to matters of the heart.

About the Illustrator

Oslo Davis is an illustrator and artist who makes lively, witty work for both his own amusement and for publications and projects worldwide.