What is the secret formula for love? Hector, our intrepid psychiatrist, sets off on a new globe-trotting mission and this time he s looking for LOVE. One of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies has employed him to track down their brilliant scientist, Professor Cormorant, who has disappeared abroad with the secret of a modern-day love potion. Leaving behind his troubled relationship with girlfriend Clara, Hector's adventure takes him to the Far East and into the arms of beautiful Vayla, forcing our hero to think deeply about what love really is/means. In his follow-up to the multi-million-selling Hector and the Search for Happiness, acclaimed writer and psychiatrist, François Lelord, offers us a new fable filled with thoughtful insights into the very human desire to find and keep love.
Hector and the Secrets of Love (Hector's journeys)
and over 1.5 million other books are available for Amazon Kindle . Learn more
| |||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Learn more. |
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
Review
'Hector and the Secrets of Love' follows our eponymous hero as he travels the world in search of a missing love potion. Written by a psychiatrist, as the plot unfolds this book examines the science and psychology of romance, making for a fascinating read. --Cosmopolitan
About the Author
Born in France, François Lelord studied and practiced psychiatry in Paris, and was a consultant for companies interested in reducing stress for their employees. On a trip to Hong Kong in which he was questioning his personal and professional life, the Hector character popped into his mind. He wrote HECTOR AND THE SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS not knowing exactly what kind of book he was writing. Today he lives in Thailand.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By CuteBadger
Format:Paperback
Hector is a young psychiatrist who has noticed that many of his patients have problems with love: too much, not enough, loving the wrong person or loving them in the wrong way. His girlfriend Clara works for a pharmaceutical company with a more venal interest in the subject. Soon Hector finds himself on a mission to the Far East in search of answers to the great conundrum of human (and animal) relationships. He's searching for an eccentric scientist, Professor Cormorant, who has disappeared with a potential solution to the love problem, but Hector finds much more than he expects during his journey.
Reading "Hector and the Secrets of Love" is a wonderful treat, like a mug of hot chocolate while snuggling under a cosy blanket. It's a delightful book which deals lightly but thoughtfully with deep subjects. It is written like a modern fable from which the reader can draw their own moral, and there's a lot of humour which lightens some of the philosophical messages. Hector is a wonderfully warm, attractive character, and as we see virtually all the novel's events through his eyes we identify with him completely. He is so honest about his feelings we can't help but think about what our own reactions would be in similar situations.
While some of the other characters are less three-dimensional than Hector, this does not in any way reduce the power of the book, as it means we can study them almost like scientific specimens to see their reaction to the love they find and lose during the story.
The book is written in short chapters, and I found myself with a case of "just one more" syndrome, meaning that I read it in pretty much one sitting.
The tone and accessibility of the book reminds me of the writing of Alexander McCall Smith, particularly his Isabel Dalhousie novels (which also deal with philosophical issues). McCall Smith's fans would be wise to make the acquaintance of Hector too.
This book is the second of Hector's adventures, and as soon as I'd finished it I rushed off to get a copy of the first novel "Hector and the Search for Happiness". I'm hoping for many more appearances from Hector in the future.
Reading "Hector and the Secrets of Love" is a wonderful treat, like a mug of hot chocolate while snuggling under a cosy blanket. It's a delightful book which deals lightly but thoughtfully with deep subjects. It is written like a modern fable from which the reader can draw their own moral, and there's a lot of humour which lightens some of the philosophical messages. Hector is a wonderfully warm, attractive character, and as we see virtually all the novel's events through his eyes we identify with him completely. He is so honest about his feelings we can't help but think about what our own reactions would be in similar situations.
While some of the other characters are less three-dimensional than Hector, this does not in any way reduce the power of the book, as it means we can study them almost like scientific specimens to see their reaction to the love they find and lose during the story.
The book is written in short chapters, and I found myself with a case of "just one more" syndrome, meaning that I read it in pretty much one sitting.
The tone and accessibility of the book reminds me of the writing of Alexander McCall Smith, particularly his Isabel Dalhousie novels (which also deal with philosophical issues). McCall Smith's fans would be wise to make the acquaintance of Hector too.
This book is the second of Hector's adventures, and as soon as I'd finished it I rushed off to get a copy of the first novel "Hector and the Search for Happiness". I'm hoping for many more appearances from Hector in the future.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Madcatlady
Format:Paperback
Ok, I admit it! When I first started reading, I thought that I wouldn't finish this book. It took me a few pages to get used to the unusual style (which reminded me of childrens' literature, due to the simple, short sentences and equally short chapters). However, after a few pages I quickly became hooked. In fact, the simple style was actually perfect for bedtime reading, as were the very short chapters.
So, the plot......Hector the psychiatrist heads off on a mission to discover the answer to the eternally baffling question - what is love?. He meets various people along the way and there are a few twists in the plot, which keep the reader guessing. He is searching for the elusive Professor Cormorant, who has diasppeared with the secret love potion, which must be recovered. Hector has left behind his rather tumultuous relationship with his long term partner, Clara, which means that the mission is also about Hector discovering his own thoughts and feelings regarding Clara.
All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book, as it certainly gives the reader food for thought, not just on love, but relationships and humanity in general. At times, the characters (other than Hector) can be a little one dimensional, but generally speaking, this is a thought provoking novel which certainly deserves to be read. So, if you're looking for something a little different, which gently makes you think and isn't the usual boy meets girl love story, then this is the book for you!
So, the plot......Hector the psychiatrist heads off on a mission to discover the answer to the eternally baffling question - what is love?. He meets various people along the way and there are a few twists in the plot, which keep the reader guessing. He is searching for the elusive Professor Cormorant, who has diasppeared with the secret love potion, which must be recovered. Hector has left behind his rather tumultuous relationship with his long term partner, Clara, which means that the mission is also about Hector discovering his own thoughts and feelings regarding Clara.
All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book, as it certainly gives the reader food for thought, not just on love, but relationships and humanity in general. At times, the characters (other than Hector) can be a little one dimensional, but generally speaking, this is a thought provoking novel which certainly deserves to be read. So, if you're looking for something a little different, which gently makes you think and isn't the usual boy meets girl love story, then this is the book for you!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I was looking for a nice uplfiting, easy-read book at the time and this fits the bill perfectly. Passed it on to my wife and she loved it too. Only takes two or three hours to read, wonderfully naive , very enjoyable.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 6 reviews
3.8 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
A good read.
I saw this and the blurb drew me in. A really good read and descriptive language that set the scenes well. I look forward and plan to read the other two.
Published 11 months ago by Bookworm
2.0 out of 5 stars
DID NOT REALLY ENJOY
I have to say I did not really enjoy this book. I found it rather silly,and the whole concept of love potions not particularly agreeable. Read more
Published 12 months ago by bibliophile
3.0 out of 5 stars
Light reading-not memorable.
Found this book a little disappointing after thoroughly enjoying and being delighted by 'Hector and the search for happiness. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Chris Morgan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful book worth reading!
Hector is back again and up to even more shenanigans. Learn about this most mysterious of feelings while having laughs!
Published 21 months ago by Jin GOH
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good, but not a must
It's a good book, I cannot say anything bad about it. But if you loved the first one, this is not going to be your favorite of the saga.
Published 22 months ago by TheBigMtt
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not as good as the first
It was ok, I enjoyed it fine, but I did prefer the Happiness book, more life applicable and a better story
Published 23 months ago by J. Martin
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wise and Funny
François Lelord
Hector and the Secrets of Love
The second volume of Lelord's Hector's Journeys series is every bit as delightful as his bestselling first, Hector... Read more
Hector and the Secrets of Love
The second volume of Lelord's Hector's Journeys series is every bit as delightful as his bestselling first, Hector... Read more
Published on 28 Mar 2011 by Mr. D. James
3.0 out of 5 stars
Fun but not Funny
This is the second book about the adventures of Hector, the psychiatrist, following on from Hector and the Search for Happiness. Read more
Published on 25 Feb 2011 by Mrs. C. Colbert
3.0 out of 5 stars
Love made simple
I had always meant to read the first of the Hector books so was very interested to come by Hector and the Secrets of Love; I very much like some other authors from the Gallic Books... Read more
Published on 14 Feb 2011 by MsCrow
3.0 out of 5 stars
A Modern Day Fable
This is the second book in the 'Hector's Journeys' series, the first: Hector and the Search for Happiness was published last year. Read more
Published on 4 Feb 2011 by Lincs Reader
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
