The Unexpected Joy of Being Single
Dec 2018 · Hachette UK
5.0star
13 reviewsreport
Ebook
272
Pages
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About this ebook
'This refreshing, unusual book needs to exist. A culture shift which repositions a single person as someone who is relationship-free, complete, and not lacking is long overdue.' - The i
'Absolutely f*cking brilliant' - Florence Given
Having a secret single freak-out? Feeling the red, heart-shaped urgency intensify as the years roll on by? Oh hi! You're in the right place.
Over half of Brits aged 25-44 are now single. It's become the norm to remain solo until much later in life, given the average marriage ages of 35 (women) and 38 (men). Many of us are choosing never to marry at all.
But society, films, song lyrics and our parents are adamant that a happy ending has to be couple-shaped. That we're incomplete without an 'other half'*, like a bisected panto pony. Cue: single sorrow. Dating like it's a job. Spending half our lives waiting for somebody-we-fancy to text us back. Feeling haunted by the terms 'spinster' or 'confirmed bachelor.'
Catherine Gray took a whole year off dating to find single satisfaction. She lifted the lid on the reasons behind the global single revolution, explored the bizarre ways cultures single-shame, detached from 'all the good ones are gone!' panic and debunked the myth that married people are much happier.
Let's start the reverse brainwash, in order to locate - and luxuriate in - single happiness. Are you in?
*Spoiler: you're already whole
PRAISE FOR CATHERINE GRAY'S WRITING:
"Fascinating." - Bryony Gordon
"Not remotely preachy." - The Times
"Jaunty, shrewd and convincing." - The Telegraph
"Admirably honest, light, bubbly and remarkably rarely annoying." - The Guardian
"Truthful, modern and real." - Stylist
"Brave, witty and brilliantly written." - Marie Claire
"Haunting, admirable and enlightening." - The Pool
'Absolutely f*cking brilliant' - Florence Given
Having a secret single freak-out? Feeling the red, heart-shaped urgency intensify as the years roll on by? Oh hi! You're in the right place.
Over half of Brits aged 25-44 are now single. It's become the norm to remain solo until much later in life, given the average marriage ages of 35 (women) and 38 (men). Many of us are choosing never to marry at all.
But society, films, song lyrics and our parents are adamant that a happy ending has to be couple-shaped. That we're incomplete without an 'other half'*, like a bisected panto pony. Cue: single sorrow. Dating like it's a job. Spending half our lives waiting for somebody-we-fancy to text us back. Feeling haunted by the terms 'spinster' or 'confirmed bachelor.'
Catherine Gray took a whole year off dating to find single satisfaction. She lifted the lid on the reasons behind the global single revolution, explored the bizarre ways cultures single-shame, detached from 'all the good ones are gone!' panic and debunked the myth that married people are much happier.
Let's start the reverse brainwash, in order to locate - and luxuriate in - single happiness. Are you in?
*Spoiler: you're already whole
PRAISE FOR CATHERINE GRAY'S WRITING:
"Fascinating." - Bryony Gordon
"Not remotely preachy." - The Times
"Jaunty, shrewd and convincing." - The Telegraph
"Admirably honest, light, bubbly and remarkably rarely annoying." - The Guardian
"Truthful, modern and real." - Stylist
"Brave, witty and brilliantly written." - Marie Claire
"Haunting, admirable and enlightening." - The Pool
Ratings and reviews
5.0
13 reviews
Jenna Lillie
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May 1, 2020
There were so many moments and stories that resonated with me. While reading it I was overwhelmed by that feeling of being seen and understood. I have experiences so many phases of happiness and unhappiness but this book settled something in me. It made me more aware of the acceptance we all need to have for ourselves at any stage of life, with or without a partner. And that fear of being alone can give way to a world of adventure and life if you embrace yourself first.
2 people found this review helpful
Gemma Loxley
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August 18, 2020
I loved this, its been a helpful single guide I pick up when I feel like I need it. Catherine talks so much sense 💗
Dave Doyle
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May 4, 2020
Excellent advice and anecdotal way of conveying it. Catherine helped me with sobriety and now has helped me with my other big addicition, love. Highly recommended.
1 person found this review helpful
About the author
Catherine Gray is author of five books, including The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober. She's sold over half a million books in English-speaking territories, her work has been published in the likes of Stylist, Marie Claire, The Lancet Psychiatry and the Guardian, and her books have been translated into nine languages. In 2018, Catherine founded charitable campaign Sober Spring, a three-month sabbatical from alcohol, and she now runs it with Alcohol Change UK, for whom she is an ambassador. She's been sober since 2013. Catherine lives in Hove and when not writing she enjoys falling off a paddleboard, giving her plants names like 'Cassandra' and 'Miguel', and spamming Instagram with pictures of dogs.
Instagram.com/unexpectedjoyof
Twitter.com/cathgraywrites
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