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Down with Love Paperback – March 18, 2003

by Barbara Novak (Author)

4.4 23 ratings

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Down with Love – the upcoming movie from Twentieth Century Fox starring Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor – is a homage to the romantic comedies of the fifties and sixties.

Barbara Novak is the author of the feminist manifesto Down With Love. As her revolutionary book rockets to the top of the bestseller lists she becomes the target of ladies' man and ace journalist Catcher Block who is determined to debunk her message. Catcher's best friend and boss – the neurotic and lovesick Peter McManus – tries to rein his star writer in while haplessly pursuing the object of his affection, Barbara's feisty editor. Mistaken identities, frantic roundelays, shocking revelations and ever–changing perceptions about love and sex are just a few of the movie/book's surprises.

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About the Author

After shedding her past as a farmer’s daughter and a librarian from New England, Barbara Novak worked her way up from the secretarial pool of a publishing house and ultimately became the President, CEO, Publisher, and Cofounder of one of the largest media companies in the world. Her first best-seller, a feminist call-to-arms entitled Down with Love, helped change the face of the working world for women all around the globe. She currently lives in New York City with her husband.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ It Books; 1st edition (March 18, 2003)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0060541628
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0060541620
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.4 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 0.75 x 8.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #3,529,151 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #9,018 in TV, Movie & Game Tie-In Fiction
- #41,249 in Contemporary Literature & Fiction
- #246,301 in Contemporary Romance (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.4 23 ratings

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4.4 out of 5

23 global ratings

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Marsha Veronica

if you like the movie

Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2015

Verified Purchase

When I watch a movie, and end up loving it, I always look to see if there's a book based on it. This book is based on the movie, not the movie based on the book. Still, if you like the movie, and like to read, this is a good book. Simple, light read.

Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2009

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I bought this book because I just saw the movie...and I watched it 4 times in a week! The book is just as fun as the movie and it has all sorts of cute little extras! You won't see this girl down with love, but it's still fun to read about!

One person found this helpful

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Michelle A. Goad

Screenplay for DWL fans - a must have for those who love the movie!

Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2014

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Script from the movie with inner thought commentary by Barbara Novak. Perfect for the retro setting of my daughters room. She loves the movie. Anything "Down With Love" is cool!

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Duran Durandrea

Making a tongue-in-cheek statement...

Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2005

I know that some reviewers hated this book because they thought it was superficial and cheesy. However, they are missing the point. When I first picked up this book at a tag sale, I was a little disappointed, because it seemed to be just another chick lit book. Months later, here I am writing a research paper for my Gender Studies Independent Study. I watched the movie (because, honestly, I was procrastinating), and found that the movie and the book completely summed up my thesis!

I don't think I realized at first that it was a satire and a spoof...it all depends on how you go into reading, or watching, it. The whole point of the book is to make fun of the early sixties, both through the over-done cinematography, and the theme.

The main character, Barbara Novak, goes through an elaborate plot to get the guy (Catcher Block) by writing a book that says that women don't need love with men. While writing the book was all part of her plan to in fact get him to fall in love with her, she realizes in the end that she won't just be happy being "Mrs. Catcher Block" and losing her identity as a high-powered woman. Just when she explains the ploy to him and he proposes to her, she sees that her life as his wife would be a lonely life in the suburbs raising children and doing housework--in essence, the fate of housewives in those days.

In the end a compromise is made, but the book is about women finding a foothold in a work environment, women finding out how to combine love with a life, and gender roles. It may not be "The Feminine Mystique", but surprisingly it deals with the same topics. If you go into it knowing about the facts of the women's movement, and issues that women are facing today, you will see that it is not just a superficial romantic comedy.

I think that while the movie illustrated the point to an extent, the book furthers this point with stuff that the screenwriters could add without boring a movie audience. (it's by the screenwriters, basically, not of course, the fictionalized Barbara Novak.)

4 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

hilarious

Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2003

I can't wait for the movie to come out. The book is so hilarious, there is also a surprising twist towards the end. I wasn't expecting it. I didn't even see it coming, but I was glad that this romantic comedy is different & fresh. You'll just have to read the book to find out. It'll be so cool to see this romantic comedy. I can't wait!
The basic plot is this: Barbara Novak has sworn off love, written a book "Down with love" that encourages women that love is a distraction. Down with love but not sex, she encourages women to have sex "a la carte," it sounds very "Sex & the City" and its reminiscent of those Rock Hudson & Doris Day comedies.
The book becomes a best seller & women everywhere are following Barbara's advice. That's not cool with Catcher Block. This journalist, & ladies man has had enough. He decides to bring Barbara down, by of course, pretending to be a shy astronaut. He hopes to write an expose about how he made Miss Barbara Novak, fall in love with him.
Instead of ending like those Hudson/Day comedies, which most people have seen & know the ending of...this book certainly twists things up. I was so surprised at the ending! Very surprised. The book felt original, different & fresh without feeling cliched, even though the premise seems to be recycled. I suggest that you read it...

3 people found this helpful

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Ivonna

One Of The Best Books I've Read!!

Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2003

If you are a fan of love stories you should read this book. If you are a fan of determination read this book. If you are a fan of chocolate buy this book! I have never read a book as good as this one. It makes me feel happy just thinking about it. If you believe that love should conquer all, then you will love Down With Love!

3 people found this helpful

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Ms. Hill

Just like the movie...

Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2009

Verified Purchase

I didn't even finish it because it read exactly like the movie...I wanted more detail (normally books have more plot/sub-plots than their movie counterparts).

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S. McCown

Great Book ... Can't Wait For The Movie!

Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2003

I read this book this past weekend in one afternoon and absolutely loved it! From what I have seen in the trailers for the movie, the book appears to pretty much follow the movie. I would most definetely highly recommend this book!

4 people found this helpful

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Kompass

downright funny

Reviewed in Germany on October 7, 2005

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Dieses Buch habe ich in einem Rutsch durchgelesen, und dabei oft und laut gelaucht. Es ist bestens geeignet, einen verregneten Nachmittag heiter zu überstehen oder genau die richtige Lektüre für eine Grippe. Anfangs glaubt man, das Thema zu kennen und fragt sich, was man da noch groß erwarten kann. Aber das Tempo steigert sich ständig, und mit den Verwicklungen auch der Sprachwitz. Das Buch macht twists und turns an jeder unvermuteten Ecke und man legt es am Ende etwas atemlos und amüsiert aus der Hand. Eindeutige Empfehlung.

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